Starting Gabapentin

[Bramblespaniel]

Thanks to great advice on here last year, I took a course of ferrous sulfate and my ferritin levels went from 52 to 105. Unfortunately this didn’t help my RLS and my GP doesn’t do a full iron panel and so couldn’t get the other relevant results.

I have now opted for Gabapentin but my GP had advised to take 100mg 3 times a day whereas on here the advice is to take all 300mg (starting dose) 1-2 hours before bed. I’m happy to take in this way if recommended by all the Knowledgeable & experienced members of this forum?

Also I did try my first 100 mg before bed on Saturday night and was very sleepy and woozy for the next 48 hours and so hadn’t taken another one as needed to drive yesterday or today. Would you recommend starting on just 100mg per night and increase to 300mg, or just go straight in with the 300mg 1-2 hours before bed?

Looking forward to getting some relief from RLS & sleep but wary of feeling worse on the tablets… any advice much appreciated!

[SueJohnson]

Yes I would recommend taking 100 mg and give it at least 3 weeks or maybe more to let your body get used to it so the side effects will be less when you increase it. Most of the side effects should wear off after a few weeks. If not post back here and we can give you some advice.

[Bramblespaniel in reply to SueJohnson]

that’s great, many thanks Sue!

[Kinga2500]

is recommended 3x 100 a day then increase to find out the dosage which is appropriate for u. I think is best to start from 300 to save you time and pain. Is that the lowest dose They saying is best straight before bed but I’m taking regularly at 8 pm but my bedtime is later. When u increase the dosage u take an extra one before bed then depending on how doc instructs u. I felt dizzy after starting Gabapentin for another two weeks now just after increasing the dosage of what I have to do every few weeks for my pain.

Remember if u dizzy and that’s have affect for your driving u shouldn’t to drive

That’s just advice but best to do is consult with dos or just stick with him

[SueJohnson in reply to Kinga2500]

The advice is to take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. How much are you taking?

[Kinga2500 in reply to SueJohnson]

my doc said straight before bed. They sometimes advise differently as written on the box. Because possibly site effect morning time probably this is why 2 hrs before bed. To me doesn't make any difference. Also, I'm taking 400 mg three times a day but I have to increase it every few weeks for my ddd I’m with serve paying much often also could be tolerance on that medication faster as usually

I’m taking dihydrocodeine but the box says that we can’t take it. All is fine if doctors approve that and everyone reacts differently to medication

[SueJohnson in reply to Kinga2500]

Why are you taking it 3 times a day? Did you have symptoms during the day before you took any medicine? If not, there is no point taking it during the day. However don't just stop taking it during the day as you will have withdrawal effects. Instead reduce it by 100 mg every couple of weeks. Or if your RLS is not controlled at night, add it to your night time dose. 400 mg is a very low dose for using it at night. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." But don't take more than 600 mg at a time as it is not absorbed as well above that. Instead take 600 mg when you normally take it at night, then 600 mg 2 hours before that. If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of the gabapentin as it will reduce the absorption of the gabapentin.

[Kinga2500 in reply to SueJohnson]

I haven’t rls. I thought is post for all who taking Gabapentin. My condition required to taking that because of pain.

[SueJohnson in reply to Kinga2500]

Oh - sorry. Since you replied in the RLS forum, I assumed you had it.

[Kinga2500 in reply to SueJohnson]

It’s okay. My mistake

[Bramblespaniel in reply to Kinga2500]

Thank you Kinga2500, noted your suggestions. I am feeling better already on the 100mg a night so will increase a little faster to the 300mg, maybe by 100mg at a time to check side effects have settled a bit before increasing again.

I certainly wouldn’t drive whilst feeling drowsy/dizzy & will refer to GP for a review in one month anyway & before they prescribe any more.

Definitely taking as Sue suggests 1-2 hours before bedtime.

Thank you for the feedback.

[Hidden]

Hi Bramble, I saw that you are on HRT. For most that will make the symptoms of RLS worse. Ask your doctor about easing off of it. Then I would try the iron again. Only this time use two 25mg capsules of ferrous bisglycinate on an empty stomach about an hour before bed. It relieves my RLS in one hour for one night.

[Bramblespaniel in reply to Hidden]

hi SalemLake, thank you for your reply and I had considered coming off the HRT but my RLS was bad prior to taking it and life (RLS aside) is so much better with the HRT. I will trial coming off of it at the next review though to see if I can manage without.

Also I had trialled taking the gentle iron (which I think is the ferrous bisglycinate) while taking the ferrous sulfate as you suggested before on this forum, before bed on empty stomach. Unfortunately it had little effect so maybe will be better as you say once off the HRT.

Thank you for your suggestions, much appreciated!

[Hidden in reply to Bramblespaniel]

How long have you been on HRT?

[Hidden in reply to Bramblespaniel]

Example of what HRT can do: Birdlandmickeyrose4 days agomickeyrose, I had occasional RLS until I started HRT which through my RLS into overdrive. At the time I was ignorant to triggers and chose to go on ropinirole instead of stopping HRT. Horrible mistake. Sixteen years later after successfully getting off 8mg nightly of ropinirole my RLS has never gone back to only occasional. Although it is so much less intense than when I was augmenting. I guess bottom line is be very careful when it comes to hormone replacement. Best of luck to you.

[Bramblespaniel in reply to Hidden]

I’ve been on HRT for 3 years now. Thank you for the example, I’ll be very mindful of this at my next review.

Thanks for this forum I have managed to avoid the DA drugs that cause augmentation and is first line treatment in the UK. Thankfully my GP was happy for me to try Gabapentin straight away.

Thanks again SalemLake

[Hidden in reply to Bramblespaniel]

Melatonin almost did to me what HRT did to Birdland. The good news is that it seems these substances are neuroprotective and you may have up-regulated your receptors with the HRT. When I stopped the melatonin my RLS was quieter then when I was in my 20s.

[12BCTS]

Hi, my GP prescribed 100mg, 3 times a day, which l’ve been taking two years for nerve damage, my hair became thinner and started to shed a lot, which l thought was due to age etc. Recently, l had significant hair loss after having my usual hair colour applied at the salon, 2 days later l developed a red rash on my face, neck & décolletage, GP thinks its rosacea or dermatitis. Six weeks later and its still falling, so l’ve started to wean myself off Gabapentin, as l think its causing the reaction and hair loss. 

[Bramblespaniel]

sorry to hear about your hair loss, I hope the hair loss reverses once you are off of the Gabapentin. I haven’t experienced this but have only been taking it for a short time. I’d suggest re-posting this into a new post for more knowledgeable people on this forum to see, in case they have some advice. Good luck!