Insomnia On Gabapentin Anyone??

[Woody4]

Until reading a couple posts about gabapentin I didn’t realize gaba could cause insomnia. When I first started taking it I was led to believe it could actually help me go to sleep. At first the gaba seemed to really help but now it seems to not be doing as well. I’m having symptoms within a half hour from when I take it and I’m having weird, gotta move whole body feelings during the day before I take it in the afternoon. Anyone taking Horizant?? Is it any better??

[Beckonwood]

I took Horizant and it didn't do a thing for me. I take 5 mg of percocet 4 times a day starting at 5pm until 11pm when I turn my lights out. It works for me. The Horizant didn't do anything for my RLS I tried for about three weeks. Not a thing. So disappointed

[SueJohnson]

I've never heard of gabapentin causing insomnia. Could it still be from augmenting on pramipexole? If you are taking it in the afternoon, that is the wrong time for it to help you at night. Also, how much are you taking> You should take it 1 to 2 hours before bed. 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." If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin. Horizant works 24 hours but it is expensive and most insurances don't cover it. However Horizant has a prescription savings card which if you qualify for makes it inexpensive. I don't know all of the qualifications although I do know you don't qualify if you are over 65. horizant.com/savings .

[Daewood1949 in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue, I'm on 1200 a day of gabapentin-should I take 2 capsules 2 hours before bed and then 2 at bedtime?

[SueJohnson in reply to Daewood1949]

I'm assuming you are taking 300 mg capsules. No - take 2 capsules 1 to 2 hours before bedtime and then the other 2 capsules 2 hours before that. So say you go to bed at 10:00, you would take 2 capsules say at 9:00 and then 2 capsules at 7:00.

[Daewood1949 in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you Sue, i've been doing it all wrong!!!!

[Woody4 in reply to SueJohnson]

I got the insomnia thing from another gabapentin user. She said it kept her up and their mother, another RLS sufferer, as well. I’ve been having a real problem sleeping after going from 900mg to 1200mg.

[SueJohnson in reply to Woody4]

Are you taking any other medicines or over the counter supplements?

[Woody4 in reply to SueJohnson]

I’m a Veteran and the VA healthcare system has me on too many meds. I’ve been taking gaba since last November and this has only really become an issue in the last 3-4 weeks, OTC zinc and qunol.

[SueJohnson in reply to Woody4]

Qunol can cause insomnia. You might take it in the morning to see if that is the problem. You mention they have you on too many medicines. What are they?

[SueJohnson]

Have you had our ferritin checked?