Lyrica slow to stop my rls

[Audrina1209]

Dr has put me on Lyrica for restless legs...started with 1 capsule 25g over a week ago..increased to 50 after 4 days..started 75g last night...no change legs still very bad ..so tired of it all..hardly sleep..help...did anyone have this experience ..what should I do? Dr appt 3 weeks away

[Joolsg]

Audrina, pregabalin takes 3 weeks to be fully effective for RLS and you're on a very low dose. Average dose for RLS is 250mg. Once at 200/250 you will hopefully see results after 3 weeks. Make sure you don't take magnesium within 2 hours of the pregabalin dose as it blocks absorption.

[Audrina1209 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Julie..I didnt know that about Magnesium I had a good dose of the powder just before bed..no wonder the legs acted up..thanks for advise I will increase Lyrica every few days and decrease Madopar as you suggested..open capsule and divide the dose..I really appreciate you info on RLS

[Joolsg in reply to Audrina1209]

Remember that nothing will work until you've been off Madopar for about 4 weeks. The withdrawal symptoms will override the pregabalin.You may well need cannabis and a low dose opioid to deal with the withdrawal symptoms so speak to your doctor and ask for help.

[SueJohnson]

You are still on a low dose. Just keep increasing it every few days. You can go up to 450 mg.

[Audrina1209 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue..appreciate your advice..

[Memmy in reply to Audrina1209]

For me it didn't work until 400 mgs. Maybe because I had taken mirapexin for many years. Before I sleep I still need to take something else. It could be just an espresso coffee and if that doesn't work I take a level teaspoonful of Kratom. I sometimes have to take a 50mg tramadol which always gives me a good night's sleep. My sleep is wonderful. I have about 7 to 8 hours uninterrupted sleep. I'm now 72 and I could sleep like that when I was a teenager. The pregabalin did make me dizzy at first but now I'm fine. I also take magnesium but at lunchtime

[Audrina1209 in reply to Memmy]

How wonderful that you get 7-8 hrs Memmy ..oh I wish...I have barely 3-4 hours and that is very broken sleep. I have not slept well for 2 years as RLS got to the stage of me needing medication ..(I was hesitant because of augumentation and side effects)..I am now annoyed at Specialist for telling me to just stop Madopar like that without any help...I am going to try ringing him tomorrow and if I cant get thru will try my GP again..the one who put me on the drug in the first place...and jump up and down for a low dose opiod to help me thru the withdrawal..thanks for answering my cry for help

[Memmy in reply to Audrina1209]

I hope you get the help you need

[SueJohnson]

Since you are still coming off Madopar, the Lyrica won't be very effective until you are off it and any withdrawal symptoms subside. You might ask for a low dose opioid in the meanwhile to get you through the withdrawal if you need it.

[Audrina1209 in reply to SueJohnson]

Just another question I have been taking Lyrica all together just b4 bedtime.eg 3x25 total 75g.at the moment...would it be ok to say take 1 capsule dose late arvo and another at bedtime abd another middle of night when legs are bad or should I stick with all 3 caps at bedtime? What would you suggest Sue

[SueJohnson in reply to Audrina1209]

I would stick with all 3 an hour or 2 before bedtime.

[SueJohnson in reply to Audrina1209]

Once you find the dose that works for you, it will last the whole night.

[Inkosikazi]

I am new here. This is the first post I read. I’m really impressed with the quality of the advice. I can’t disagree with Julie and Sue’s comments. They sound like they know their stuff! But let me echo the use of cannabis and low dose opioid medication. That works best for me, except for Mirapex, which worked GREAT but it routinely sent me to the casino! Literally. Obsessive gambling is a side effect. I’m glad I randomly saw an article about it. Otherwise, I might be in debtor’s prison. 😂

[Audrina1209 in reply to Inkosikazi]

Thank you for advice.yes Julie and Sue are great...it is a horrible disease and it is a shame a lot of Drs have no clue about RLS..I can't get low dose opiod from my GP ..but will be pushing for it..or go find my brother in law in the country and get a cannabis smoke...they are producing the oil here in Tasmania but not a hope of getting any prescribed by dr

[Joolsg in reply to Inkosikazi]

I hope you're off the Pramipexole? Impulse Control Disorder is serious and if your doctors didn't warn you about it you have a legal case against them. Several class actions in the USA and also a few cases now in the UK.

[WideBody in reply to Joolsg]

I am in the USA, tell me more. I have been to a few lawyers with no help really. The amount of DA drugs they prescribed was well above the limits. No warnings to withdraw slowly.... I am interested.

[Joolsg in reply to WideBody]

fiercepharma.com/regulatory...

If you show your lawyers these, they may consider taking action. At the moment most cases have involved Impulse Control Disorder but prescribing above max dose can lead to ICD and augmentation and doctors have known about augmentation since 2010 so should have warned/monitored patients.

[Ranjits]

I am currently on gabapenton 300 mg in eve and 300mg at 10 pm I sleep for 2 or 3 hrs then legs start again walk around for while then struggle to sleep manage another 3/4 hr sleep that’s every night pattern

[SueJohnson in reply to Ranjits]

You should take the full 600 mg 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. 600 mg is a low dose though. You should increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily."

[jjyankee]

I've tried many different prescriptions for my severe RLS and the only thing that works is tramadol. I was prescribed tramadol when I pulled a muscle in my back and discovered that it completely got rid of my RLS. My GP was willing to prescribe this for my RLS as I had exhausted all my other options. I only need to take 3/4 of a 50 mg tablet for it to work and have not had to increase dose over the past year.