Sleep pattern

[soupersuzy]

I've been taking Pregabalin for 5 or 6 weeks now. Am on 150mg which I know is quite low but so far am getting some sleep, touch wood it continues. However it doesn't matter how early I take it I still don't get to sleep until the early hours, once I do go off I can sleep till 10 or even 11o/c. So far the earliest I've taken it has been around 8.15pm. Does anyone else have this problem? I am retired so can do this but sometimes it would be nice to see the morning at 8o/c instead of 3o/c.

[Amrob]

I take 300mg pregabalin around 7.40pm and don't get sleepy until around 12am. I have been taking it for several years now so am tolerant to a large degree. Perhaps you could try taking it a little earlier?Some people have problems with balance so that's something to be mindful of if you're going to be active after taking it.

[soupersuzy in reply to Amrob]

Thx Amrob, so it's not that unusual. Maybe I'll try taking it even earlier myself.

[SueJohnson]

What time do you go to bed and what is the latest time you have tried taking it?

[soupersuzy in reply to SueJohnson]

Usually around 11, 11.30, and the latest I've taken it is just after 10pm.

[SueJohnson]

The usual advice is to take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime, so taking it at 10:00 should have worked. Maybe you could add ativan to help you get to sleep, and increase your dose of pregabalin. Taking it earlier shouldn't help since the peak plasma levels are between .7 and 1.3 hours.

[soupersuzy in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. What is Ativan? I really don't want to increase Pregabalin if I can help it as already having dizziness and fatigue but most acutely aching joints. I'm finding it very unpleasant, although am probably getting more sleep than I was without it so am persevering.

[SueJohnson in reply to soupersuzy]

I researched joint pain and discovered that although it can be a side effect of pregabalin, it is not a side effect of gabapentin. goodrx.com/drugs/side-effec... See number 7. To switch to gabapentin, multiply the pregabalin dose by 6 so 150 would be 900 mg of gabapentin. It is not well absorbed above 600 mg, so you need to split the dose as follows: Take 600 mg 1 to 2 hours before bedtime and then since you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Ativan is a benzodiazepine like clonazepam but has a shorter half life so you won't be sleepy the next day.

[soupersuzy in reply to SueJohnson]

Thx Sue for your research. I'm in UK and can't access Goodrx.com here but if Gabapentin doesn't have joint pain as a side effect I could speak to my GP about changing to that. Are there any difficult side effects with it? I know there are with all drugs but some are easier to cope with than others. Did try Clonazepam but didn't like it, dose increase went up incredibly fast and not too keen on taking benzos anyway. Thx again for your help, do appreciate it.

[SueJohnson in reply to soupersuzy]

Gabapentin has pretty much the same side effects as pregabalin since it is pretty much the same drug but some people find side effects that bother them on one, don't bother them on the other.

[soupersuzy in reply to SueJohnson]

Ok Sue thank you I'll look into it further.

[wantokporo]

I take pregabalin at 6:30 PM . Bed at 10PM Or so. 150 mg as well .

[soupersuzy in reply to wantokporo]

And do you sleep soon after going to bed?

[wantokporo]

Most of the time. (I do sometimes listen to low meditation podcasts to help.)

[soupersuzy in reply to wantokporo]

Oh that's encouraging as I really am hoping I can stay at 150mg. Think I've just got to get my timing right. Will try as early as 6.30, although I do like my glass of wine with dinner, don't know how that would work! One way to find out!

[wantokporo]

Alcohol is on the Short list of Triggers. Sorry .

[soupersuzy in reply to wantokporo]

Oh it would be!

[Pam34 in reply to soupersuzy]

As I think I’ve mentioned before I take 150mg no later than 7pm and go to bed between 10.30-11pm. Sometimes I go to sleep straightaway, other times I read for a bit. And a glass or two of wine doesn’t affect me at all thank goodness!

[soupersuzy in reply to Pam34]

Oh that wine situation sounds good, do you have a glass after taking your Pregabalin. Up till now I've taken it later so quite a while after having my wine. On a lower dose it was ok but got higher now so am more cautious. Pleased you have no problem.

[Pam34 in reply to soupersuzy]

I guess everyone reacts differently. A couple of glasses never bothers my RLS and can also help me relax. And I have no problem having these after the Pregabalin. These days I can’t drink more than a couple without a horrendous hangover but that’s nothing to do with my RLS. If you feel like one and it doesn’t upset you, or make your legs worse, than personally I can see no harm. Enjoy 🍷

[soupersuzy in reply to Pam34]

Thanks a lot Pam,

[soupersuzy in reply to Pam34]

Thanks a lot Pam that's a great help, cheers.