Sleep cocktail regimen for rls?,

[zeusop]

Hello everyone,

For the past few weeks I have been taking 50 mgs. Trazodone with 100 mgs Gabapentin two hours before bed and then 300mgs. Gabapentin about half hour before bed. I take a break every four days. At which point I take 1 mg. Clonazepam. This has been helping me both with my RLS and my insomnia. Of course my doctors approve just about anything I do. So at times I want to ask this community. Anyone see a problem with this regimen long term?

Thanks

[SueJohnson]

I don't see anything wrong with this assuming you are not too sleepy the next day after taking the clonazepam and you are not getting withdrawal symptoms from not taking the clonazepam every day. And not getting withdrawal symptoms from not taking the gabapentin every day. I must admit though, I don't see the point in what you are doing. Does this regime completely control your RLS?

[zeusop in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for replying so quickly Sue. Yes it does control the RLS. The Clonazepam I only take once before bed every 4 days. For some reason the break helps from the Daily Gaba/Trazodone regimen. Not sure if that will be continued however. No withdrawals from either. Do you think the 400 mgs total Gabapentin is too much long term? Or the 1 mg Clonazepam every four days? I would rather not take anything but have tried every natural remedy known to man to no avail. Of course practice good hygiene--exercise eat right etc.

[SueJohnson in reply to zeusop]

400 mg gabapentin is almost a starting dose. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily."

[zeusop in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue. My RLS has been milder as my iron levels have been raised with supplementation. The Insomnia which I had however with or without RLS has been helped with the dosages I have been taking either way. Better than taking Ambien or continued Benzo usage

[jdawg77]

Hey Zeus, I too use clonazepam to sleep. It makes my brain wired as it once was, prior to being diagnosed with RLS. Basically shuts it off. At the moment it's the only drug I take but I also only take .25mg everyday. A lot of people on this site seem to have their insomnia from RLS triggered due to constantly needing to move their legs. For me it seems quite different. I do feel the sensation in my feet, but it's mild. The insomnia is what kills me. My brain simply will not turn off without clonazepam/melatonin, and sometimes when I'm about to doze off after not taking the clonazepam, I spasm like a hypnic jerk or even kind of like a convulsion. Any similarity?

[zeusop in reply to jdawg77]

Yes it does help. Like you my RLS is not as severe as others here but the insomnia can be a true robber of life. I do not however experience any ill effect without the Clonazepam. But I take it every four days or so to take a break from the Gabapentin/Trazadone mix and not to get dependent on the Clonazepam which can be highly addictive. That said many people rely on that drug all their lives knowing however if they quit they absolutely must do it very gradually. Even the way I administer the dose is dubious so to be honest I will probably substitute it with a non Benzo alternative. But thats just me.

[Ephemera]

Hi just found your question. Can I ask about the clonazepam do you mean 1000mg as we only have 250mg pills here.

[Amrob in reply to Ephemera]

It can't be 250mg clonazepam. It must be 0.25mg or 250mcg (micrograms).

[Ephemera in reply to Amrob]

Ok will check box