Ropinirole

[SilverEvie]

Hi there I am weaning down off Ropinirole and that is fine at the moment. Very gradual reduction However, I was started on Pregabalin about four months ago. I have suffered various side effects but most of them manageable until now. I take 2 tablets in the morning and was on 3 at night. I have now started taking 4 at night and the pain in my arms, hands and legs, predominately my shins is unbearable. Has anyone else suffered with these side effects? The next day I suffer with the hangover effect if you know what I mean - I am left with a dull, achy feeling and slight tingling?

My Dr is being supportive and had said she would of thought the side effects would have settled down by now? She also thought Gabepetin would have similar side effects. Should I just stay on Ropinirole which we both thought was not a good idea. Would definately be the easiest choice by far. She is going to talk to the other doctors in the surgery to see if they have any ideas as to another drug to try.

[SueJohnson]

Pain is not a known side effect of pregabalin but is of withdrawal from ropinirole. I would experiment to find out which it is by first increasing the ropinirole up to what it was before your last reduction and give it a few days. If that doesn't work, then try reducing the pregabalin to what it was before and see if that works.

[SueJohnson]

If it turns out to be the pregabalin you might want to try switching to gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug except you need to divide the doses, and the side effects are basically the same, some people find that the side effects that bother them on one don't bother them on the other. Multiply the pregabalin amount by 6 to get the correct dose. If this would be more than 600 mg take the extra 2 hours before the 600 mg dose. As far as what to do if this doesn't work, a low dose opioid would be your best bet. Have you had your ferritin checked? Improving it to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS.

[wantokporo]

I had daytime sedation on pregabalin and after years decided to try gabapentin. I just started three weeks ago on gabapentin. I do not have the daytime sedation. I also was told it would be the same but my doctor was willing to give it a chance. I am not sure why you are taking it in the morning unless you have RLS or PLMDs all day? I just take mine in the evening. Good luck. (It took about a week for some of the side effects from the switch to calm down.)

[SilverEvie in reply to wantokporo]

thanks for replying. I take it in the morning as unfortunately my legs kicks off anytime I don’t move around or relax. Pain been really bad last couple of days, mainly shin pain and in arms and hands.

Sleep apnea clinic also been in touch following a referral Oct 19 following my pre assessment for my cancer surgery. They possibly think my meds possibly interfering with possible sleep apnea whereas I always thought it was my meds making me so tired and falling asleep. Be interesting to see what they make of it all. Thanks to everyone who has replied to my post

[Ragtacker]

I have only used Pregabalin 75mg capsules. I do seem to have found a reduction in RLS each night, but have experienced far too many of the numerous potential side effects, (just read the leaflet re - 1 in 10 patients), so have stopped taking Pregabalin, as I found that the adverse effects far outweighed the benefits, which is the main criteria with any medication.

Hope this helps.

[SueJohnson in reply to Ragtacker]

You might want to try switching to gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug except you need to divide the doses, and the side effects are basically the same, some people find that the side effects that bother them on one don't bother them on the other. Multiply the pregabalin amount by 6 to get the correct dose.

[Ragtacker in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue

Thanks for your suggestion, but having checked back and I was on Gabapentin for a period, but side effects were severe enough to stop using that drug.

Doctor strongly advised against just stopping pregabalin, due to withdrawal issues. So the situation is being reviewed.

Pregabalin has actually been prescribed as an additional neural pain killer for arthritis of the spine, and has helped a lot. I have to say as well, that RLS is currently a rare occurrence, so this is also a consideration.

When someone has a complex medical history, it is difficult to know whether side effects are actually due to medications, or if the root problem has changed over time, leading to other issues developing.

It is all a bit 'trial and error' to see what is best for each individual, bearing in mind that no medication should be changed without proper GP consultation.

Best wishes

[SueJohnson in reply to Ragtacker]

If you need to withdraw from pregabalin do so very slowly. If you do it slowly enough you won't have any withdrawal effects.

[Ragtacker in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, duly noted.

It is actually my wife who has all the health issues. I am her carer, due to her advancing vascular dementia.

I am new to 'HealthUnlocked' , so will also join the carers branch of the forum.

Kind regards