Gabapentin or Pregabalin?

[Embroiderer]

I’ve been taking Gabapentin since April this year, now on 600mg, and I think it’s helping (though also came off Omeprazole recently which could also be having a positive effect.) I would like to know people’s experience with mood changes on either Gabapentin or Pregabalin. I know mood changes can be a side effect on either; low mood is something I struggle with anyway, worse recently and although it could well be life I wonder if it’s the Gabapentin. Would appreciate people’s thoughts and experiences. Thank you.

[SueJohnson]

It's possible. You might want to try switching to pregabalin. Although it is basically the same drug except you don't 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. Divide the gabapentin amount by 6 to get the correct dose. You can switch directly and you can switch back. By the way 600 mg is a low dose. If it doesn't control your symptoms you can increase it by taking the extra 2 hours before your current dose.

[Embroiderer in reply to SueJohnson]

Yes I realised it was a low dose but currently on 100mg x 6 and to increase it feels a bit daunting! Will ask GP for 300mg caps next time. Also I wanted to give stopping Omeprazole a chance to have an effect- do you have any thoughts on how long I should give the latter- would it be an immediate effect or could it also be related to the Mg++ lowering effect of Omeprazole in which case that would take a while to reverse?

[SueJohnson in reply to Embroiderer]

I must admit I don't know how long it would take. I wouldn't think very long but that is just a guess. If you do decide to increase your gabapentin, do so by only 100 mg and wait for 2 days before increasing again. That way you don't take more than you need.

[Embroiderer in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue.

[marigold60]

Hi, just to say I'm on 400mg gabapentin daily. That dose suits me and doesn't affect my mood either way

[Munroist]

I found pregabalin gave me a bit of “fogginess” but also helped reduce anxiety. It also can slightly disinhibit you. A little like a couple of alcoholic drinks in a way.

[HardyT81 in reply to Munroist]

Helt rätt sagt. Kunde inte säga det bättre

[sharon6748 in reply to Munroist]

I find that too Munroist -feel a little loopy at times.

[BocaMom]

Pregabalin made me angry and paranoid. Horizant made me feel depressed. Gabapentin I seem to do ok with though I only take 300 mgs at night.

[Ganadaramabasa in reply to BocaMom]

Why do you take it only at night? Because you have plmd without rls?

[HardyT81]

Omeprazol behöver du inte oroa dig för vad gäller psyket. Den medicinen är till för inflammation, magsår mm.. Dessvärre kan pregabalin göra dig orkeslös och lite nere. Men oroa dig inte trappar du ner det sakta så vänjer sig kroppen. Vill även påminna att 600mg pregebalin om dagen är maxdos en dos på 400mg brukar räcka beroende på nerv skada.

[SueJohnson in reply to HardyT81]

It would really help if you replied in English which I know you have done so before.

[HardyT81 in reply to SueJohnson]

I'm sorry I thought you have like me witch change to your language. This is Swedish by the way

[dklohrey]

I have taken both gabapentin and pregabalin. No depression issues, just feel a bit foggy first hour or two in the morning.

[sharon6748 in reply to dklohrey]

For sure

[RLSdaily]

hello, I have taken Gabapentin for a while only up to 600mg , I would take 200mg 3 hours before bed and then at bedtime take 400 mg. I will say I had no more relief with 600mg than I did with 200mg.

Always brain fog in the morning. I am female of 51years young, I am always menopause moody. Lol I did not feel depressed, maybe more irritable taking Gabapentin.

I tried the pregabalin with very foggy feeling and headaches.

I do not like big pharm toxins

I also do not like RLS and not sleeping soooo

[SueJohnson in reply to RLSdaily]

Since you are only taking 600 mg total, take the full 600 mg 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. You only need to split doses above 600 mg.

[RLSdaily in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you Sue

I seem to only absorb 400 mg at a time.

[SueJohnson in reply to RLSdaily]

How do you know?

If that is the case then take the 400 1 to 2 hours before bedtime and the 200 2 hours before that. Or take 400 mg at both times.

[RLSdaily in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you I will try that

[Embroiderer]

Thank you everyone for your comments.