Gabapentin

[Maximus01]

I have been wondering if I could change back to Pregabalin. To start with, I took Pregabalin 50 mg and then increased every five to seven days by 50 mg, up to 150 mg, then max. daily to 300 mg a day. I have been on Gabapentin for three months approx. and it does not seem to do much for me anymore. Since I still have a bunch of Pregabalin, would it be ok to switch back to Pregabalin from Gabapentin?

[SueJohnson]

Yes. I switch back and forth depending on whether I am going out in the evening so it would be inconvenient to take 3 doses of gabapentin. The equivalent doses are 6 gabapentin to 1 pregabalin. For example 1200 gabapentin is the same as 200 pregabalin.

[Maximus01 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you, Sue. I have the Gabapentin in 300 mg capsules, of which I have been taking 4 for a total of 1200 daily. I am assuming that the Pregabalin (which I have in 50 mg capsules) would have to be taken as 4 capsules. I think I took the Pregabalin all at once, as opposed to the Gabapentin which I took over several hours.

[YodaDog in reply to Maximus01]

When exactly do you take the gabapentin, I take 600mg at 5pm and another 600mg at 8.30pm and it works for me?

Do you take any other medications or supplements?

[Maximus01 in reply to YodaDog]

I take two (300 mg) at 7 and two at 9 pm. The effect is the same. I am not getting much sleep which is miserable. So I was thinking of going back to Pregabalin and see what happens. I also take 1 mg Lorazepam (Ativan). Only get 3-4 hrs. regardless.

[YodaDog in reply to Maximus01]

Ok, At what time do you take the Ativan?

[Maximus01 in reply to YodaDog]

Yoda, I take the Ativan at the same time (9:00 pm) together with the Gabapentin.

[YodaDog in reply to Maximus01]

Are you taking it to try to help with the RLS or for other reasons. If it's for other reasons could you take it earlier in the day (just trying to see if there's anything you can do that might make the Gaba work better for you)?

[Maximus01 in reply to YodaDog]

I have already tried to take it every which way. It always comes out the same way. Little sleep. Of course, the problem with Ativan, as with other meds also, is that you need more and more to get the same result. So this is a trap one does not want to fall into. The same with Gabapentin. It was fine at the beginning, and then fizzled out. Now I wonder whether I want to even take it. I try to keep the Ativan at 1-2 (1 at 9 with the Gabapentin and 1 in the middle of the night when I wake up; that is, if it is early enough. If later than 1:00 a.m., then I don't take anything more. I have PLMD and I see my duvet still hanging down to the floor in the morning, which shows me that I am still moving and kicking during the night. I am doing a lot of EFT and TFT tapping (energy work) right now and hope that I might get some help there. I will know more in a few weeks and will certainly share the outcome, if any, here.

[Nikos64]

Honestly, I think pregabalin would not be good for your health. I’ve been on 300mg daily and it caused me to gain 20lb (US) weight. Slept horribly and overslept. Performing my job the next day was difficult. I’d never take it again.

Also for me , pregabalin did not effectively treat my RLS.

[SueJohnson in reply to Nikos64]

Everyone is different. I only gained 2 pounds. Gaining a lot of weight like 20 pounds would be a much rarer side effect.

[Maximus01]

Lifestyle comes into play here. It is so important to exercise daily to fend off gaining weight. A good walk every day is very beneficial. Adding a workout at a gym is even better. Don't have any sweets, etc. in the house.