good morning, after a number of years In pramapexole, it stopped working three months ago I was put onto gabapentin unfortunately I could not cope with the side effects, my doctor has since prescribed Pragabalin, 85mg one 2 hours before bedtime, return to the doctor on the 18th to increase if needed, this seems such a small dose to change over to.
is this normal to start off on.
I assume you meant 75 mg since it doesn't come in 85 mg and yes that is the starting dose. You could have switched directly to the equivalent amount as I mentioned before, but considering you had side effects from the gabapentin, it is probably a good idea to start slow. Assuming you don't have the side effects you had on gabapentin when you see your doctor you can increase by 25 mg every couple of days. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS "the usual effective dose is 200 to 300 mg." The maximum is 600 mg.
It's possible since you were probably on a higher dose of gabapentin that you may have withdrawal effects. If so you have 2 choices. 1) ask your doctor for the equivalent dose of pregabalin (for example if you were taking 900 mg, divide by 6 to get 150 mg of pregabalin) or 2) If you still have some gabapentin left, make up the difference using that (for example if you were taking 1200 mg gabapentin and you are now taking 75 mg, multiply the 75 times 6 to get 450 mg . Then subtract that from the 1200 mg and you get 750 mg mg gabapentin that you need to make up the difference. You can round it down and take 700 mg. You would then need to do the calculation again each time your pregabalin dose is increased).
Thank you it’s sounds complicated, I’ve tried the Pragabalin had no relief from my RLS he only gave me 28 tablets until I go back and see him on the 18th October, I’m going away for a week tomorrow and don’t no weather I should stay in the gabapentin till I come back.
How much gabapentin were you on?
I was on 600mg decreased it to 300 which I’m fine with, but it was the side effects
Then you won't have any withdrawal effects.
yes, I started on 75mg but increased to 150mg. I am in the UK and find doctors are hesitant to increase because Pregabalin is a control drug but if it works for you, it’s worth the argument
does that amount help your RLS do you have any side effects.
I haven’t experienced any side effects. You might feel a bit foggy at first, a little bit like jet lag but this soon passed.
This dosage has been effective for RLS. I also have Fibromyalgia. I usually get 5 hours of unbroken sleep a night, waking around 5am. I know this doesn’t sound like a lot but compared to before, it’s more than sufficient.
My GP doesn’t want me to stay on prone medication long term. I don’t know why as he is also refusing to refer me for an iron infusion. Good luck and keep us all posted
Will do thank you
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