Insomnia on Gabapentin.

[Perhapslove]

Has anyone experienced Insomnia while on Gabapentin? My RLS story is documented here as well as the numerous helpful information and advice. But this is a new issue that I have not heard of before. My RLS is now controlled by evening and bedtime Gabapentin. I used to take 300 mg at dinner and another 300 at bedtime. For several months, that was fine with only a little insomnia. For the past month, my insomnia is increasing. I go to bed routinley between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. I am unable to fall asleep. The room is dark, the bed is comfy, the temperature is comfortable and I am not in any pain. Yet, I lay awake for hours. I give up and get out of bed by 1:00 a.m. and read for an hour or so. When I return to bed, it still takes about an hour to fall asleep. I asked my Sleep Medicine Specialist to prescribe more bedtime Gabapentin and it has been increased to 900 mg. This helped for just a few nights and now I'm back to the same old insomnia. I do remember that I was advised from the Mayo Clinic article on RLS treatment that 900 mg of Gabapentin is not well adsorbed and that 600 mg is a more efficient dose.

Has anyone experienced this? Any advice?

Thank you.

[SueJohnson]

You are right that above 600 mg gabapentin is not as well absorbed. The additional 300 mg should be taken 2 hours before the 600 mg.

[Perhapslove in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks, SueJohnson

[Perhapslove in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks again for your advice. I have done this with great success, It is also interesting that I am on Bupropion XL 300 mg. I read that this contributes to insomnia as well. I have adjusted my dose by taking it every other day to reduce the effects. So far, so good.

[SueJohnson in reply to Perhapslove]

Just be aware that by taking it every other day you might get withdrawal effects.

[Strike26]

Hi- I have always been a poor sleeper (4/5 hours a night) since my teens, now 66. The last 10 years the RLS made things worse. 5 months ago I tried (on Sue/Mayo’s advice) Gabapentin- massively reduced the RLS, but now I’m at 2/3 hours sleep, often less, each night. I tend to doze a lot especially in the evening- I have experimented with different routines to no effect. But no sleep versus stopping Gabapentin, is no contest. I do not want hours and hours of extreme RLS back. I’ll just yawn frequently and doze off !!!!! Alex

[Perhapslove in reply to Strike26]

Thanks Strike26/Alex. I can relate to that. Overnights with severe RLS totally sucks compared to a few sleepless hours.

[grassgree]

Gabapentin is not known for causing insomnia--usually the opposite. Avoid OTC sleep meds, which can make RLS worse. Trazadone (prescription) is supposedly safe but doesn't work for everybody (kept me awake instead of lulling me to sleep). If you're open to it and live in a state where it is legal, Delta 8 THC/CBN tincture helps a lot. But tolerance will develop over time. Google CBT-i (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--Insomnia) and you may find something helpful. I don't think all the causes of insomnia are known and understood.

[Perhapslove in reply to grassgree]

Thanks grassgree, I will check out to options for THC/CBD and CBT. I have avoided any OTC sleep aides and have strictly followed a caffiene free lifestyle due to severe RLS. I have greatly reduced the amount of alcohol that I used to enjoy. The worst part was that my RLS turned monsterous at the same time that my dog died and I reduced my antidepressant due to the RLS. So yeah, take my dog and then deny me red wine, coffee and antidepressants. But the good news is that I lost 8 lbs. and have kept that off. Thanks RLS!

[grassgree in reply to Perhapslove]

Oh jeez. That's enough to be going on with. This sounds like anxiety rather than primary insomnia. You've conquered a lot of things and you'll get past this too.

[wantokporo]

After several years on pregabalin/gabapentin/horizont at a therapuetic level, I started to experience insomnia. The drugs seem to cause nervousness.

[SleeplessinMO]

I’m on 300 mgs gabapentin daily for pain. I still have RLS & gabapentin has caused weight gain for me. It does help my pain, but not RLS. For instance tonite, I’ve been awake all night with the RLS. But normally it’s only once a week or twice that I’d have it. My doc told me that it does slow your metabolism. I’ve never asked for help with the RLS, because I just assumed it was something I was doing or not doing, i.e. diet, exercise, anxiety… I currently am recuperating from a RFA procedure from last week AND I have COVID right now. The RLS is unbelievable during COVID or it could be the RFA . I wonder?