Can’t Stop Sleeping in the Evening

[Scottie99]

I have recently started on gabapentine and in the process of reducing Ropinerole.

I have cut Ropinerole from 4mg, now on 3

I am taking 3 doses of gabapentine daily, 300, 300 and 600 mg.

It is working reasonably well, however I am finding each evening from about 7pm, if I settle down to watch TV, read etc, I cannot stay awake, I can sleep for almost a whole evening

[SueJohnson]

What times are you taking the gabapentin? Is there a reason you are taking them in the daytime? Usually you take your dose an hour or two before bedtime.

[Scottie99 in reply to SueJohnson]

It was suggested by doctor to spread over day as I can get an attack any time. I’ve been taking one in morning, one about 6pm and 2 about 9pm

[SueJohnson in reply to Scottie99]

It's that 6 pm one that is making you fall asleep. I would take it earlier - say at 2:00 or even earlier if that doesn't work. And since apparently the one you take in the morning is controlling your symptoms all day, you may be able to eliminate the one at 7 pm completely. If you find taking it at 2:00 works then ask your doctor for 100 mg capsules and go down by 100 mg every couple weeks so you don't have withdrawal symptoms which you might get by stopping it completely. Does the one you take at 9 pm completely control your symptoms?

[Scottie99 in reply to SueJohnson]

Two at 9 pm almost control symptoms. I sometimes awake about 3am with legs jumping

[SueJohnson in reply to Scottie99]

Then you could try moving the 6 pm one to 9 pm.

[Joolsg]

I agree with Sue.Gabapentin causes sedation so taking it in the day will cause sleepiness in the evening.

The daytime RLS and night time waking is because the Ropinirole is causing augmentation.

As you reduce down the RLS will worsen.

A few people manage to get off Ropinirole without bad withdrawal symptoms but the majority will experience severe withdrawal when they drop the last 0.25mg dose.

Make sure you arrange 2 weeks holiday for when you drop the last dose of Ropinirole because most people have little or no sleep for over a week.

Hopefully the gabapentin will help.