Thank you to you all for being such a supportive community. I am currently taking Tramadol and Pregabalin for my rls. Together with Trazadone I am having a good run of zero rls and a good night sleep which I am VERY thankful for. After 20 years on Pramipexole and looking back at the impulse control issues I was having, which I did not attribute to Pramipexole, I never want to go back to that drug again! The biggest side effect I am noticing at the moment is memory loss and cognitive impairment. I have always been very sharp and had a good memory and brain on me, so it is distressing to experience this. It feels like I have extreme mental fatigue and my brain simply wont work. I am 61 and have read a few online articles saying these meds should be prescribed with caution in seniors. Does anyone have any accurate info on this 'brain fog' and memory issue associated with both Tramadol and Pregabalin it seems? The last thing I want is to head into my 'golden years' with declining cognitive function. Any help or info would be appreciated.
Memory problems and Cognitive decline - Restless Legs Syn...
Memory problems and Cognitive decline
It's probably associated with the Pregabalin rather than Tramadol.
However ,all these are strong drugs and can affect us in various ways.
Not sure what dose Prega you are on, but could you cut back a little bit as an experiment?
It's always going to be a matter of trial and experiment.
Good luck.
This is from inet."Can pregabalin cause short-term memory loss?
We found that in tests of inhibition and working memory, performance was significantly impaired by the perioperative administration of pregabalin when compared to placebo. More specifically, the results showed a significantly impaired performance in the pregabalin group in the spatial working memory within error test.
pubs.asahq.org › article › C...
Cognitive Effects of Perioperative Pregabalin | Anesthesiology"
I'm on 225mg Pregabalin. I have been thinking of cutting back to see - as you suggested. I also wondered if Gabapentin would affect me differently? Interesting that the article says 'significant impairment'? I am definitely experiencing that. It is an uphill battle trying to stabilise on meds. It seems an uphill struggle constantly. Thanks for your reply. Appreciated.
Yes it can be from the pregabalin. You might want to try switching to gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug except you 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. Multiply the pregabalin amount by 6 to get the correct dose which for 225 mg would be 1350 mg.. Since you need more than 600 mg take the extra 600 mg 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. And since you need more than 1200 mg, take either 100 or 200 mg since it does come in 50 mg 6 hours before bedtime. If you take magnesium, even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of the gabapentin as it reduces the absorption of the gabapentin. If you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason. However you had problems before on gabapentin although if that was while you were on a DA you might want to try it again.
If you decide to come off the pregabalin (gabapentin) you need to do so very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. Reduce by 25 mg (100 - 200 mg) every 2 weeks.
Thank you Sue. I appreciate your advice and may try a switch to Gabapentin.
Hi Gary
I too take 300mg Pregabalin pd for my RLS, and my short-term memory - and sometimes my long-term memory too - is really bad. I also very rarely remember dreams now.
I was so worried a couple of years ago that I had a dementia test, but all good in that regard.
I think it’s the ability to access the memories that is affected, rather than the actual remembering, if that makes sense, as if I’m reminded by others, I often do remember.
I have MS too and am 64 now (can hardly believe this, even now!!), and it’s sometimes tricky to know what’s caused by the Pregabalin, the MS, lack of sleep, age, or the general pressures of life!!
I would love to stop Pregabalin, but my RLS is so bad that I think I’d go completely bananas if I didn’t have it.
So it’s a tricky one and I’ve every sympathy.
I may try switching to Gabapentin to see if it makes any difference.
As you say, one wants to spend one’s declining years as mentally together as possible. I do cryptic crosswords, word games, watch University Challenge (I’m in the UK), read, play the piano (badly), etc, etc to try to keep my poor brain going!!
If I change to Gabapentin and it makes any difference at all, I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, good luck to you and all of us! X
Thank you for your very kind reply! I agree with your assessment and feel pretty much the same way. I am encouraged to hear your dementia was negative - it is a fear that sits in the back of my mind! Good luck to you too! Have a great day.
I have not dreamt in years, probably due to lack of REM sleep. I miss dreaming
I miss it too., Moonwalker. I wonder what fascinating dreams I’d have remembered I’d my memory still worked properly!! X
Thank you, Gary, and you x
I had slight brain fog from 300mg of pregabalin but at the time it didn’t seem particularly worrying. I decided to come off pregabalin as it didn’t seem to be helping the sleep (I was mainly taking it for neuropathic pain) and once off the drugs I felt noticeably clearer. Despite not sleeping well and waking several times most nights I’m happier without it although lack of sleep is another significant cause of dementia so it may not help the long term prospects much.
Ok. Thanks for your response. Appreciated. It is such a challenge!
Please don't think I'm spaming you. Below 2 link has got valuable information
If you search good enough, you'll see a combination with Tramadol and dementia. I took Tramadol en Pramipexol for a long time, my memory got so bad. But now on Buprenorfine, still, a very bad memory. I don't know if it will come back.
Gary,My experience is completely different to several of the other replies except floordefleur's commen. I am 81 and have been taking up to 300mg perday pregabalin for some considerable time now (2 to 3 years at least) to try alleviate RLS. I do not think that I have had any memory loss at all and i currently play bridge , am Chairman of my local residentsassocaition. I cannot comment about Tramadol except to say I have never heard anything good about it!
Sorry to confuse matters
David
David thank you for taking the time to reply - I am very encouraged by your experience. That is great to hear. I am curious, however, about what you have heard about Tramadol? It works really well for me - not without some challenges though as I need to take it regularly through the day as well. What have you heard about it?
Gary,Sorry but my comment on Tramadol is perhaps out of order. it is just that I have heard comments on side effects but I cannot be more specific and if it works for you great but perhaps the memory problem is related there ?
Good luck David
LOL
Hi Gary, I am 66, and have been taking tramadol for about 25 years. About 30 years ago, I was attending a university, working on a master's degree in Math, and teaching college courses. In my late 30's my once mild RLS became so severe, I had to seek medical attention. My Dr tried all the normal meds, but none of them seemed to help, until he gave me tramadol. (I tried gabapentin and pregabalin, but both gave me terrible brain fog.) At the time, I thought tramadol was a miracle drug. It took away my RLS and I was sleeping 8 hrs.
Gradually, over the years, I noticed a mental decline including memory loss. The RLS was so tormenting that the mental impairment was a price I decided to pay. Eventually, I dropped out of school, had to quit teaching, and found a completely different career. My mind was getting foggier each year. I suspected the tramadol, but wondered if it was the RLS or something else causing my impaired brain. Sleep disorders, RLS and MS run in my family.
I'm retired now, but every day I have mental fatigue, my memory is quite poor, and I can't do simple math anymore. Even writing this is difficult. I don't like the loss, but what were my options? Without the tramadol, I fear I would not have survived. At least I lived a semi normal life - a happy marriage, finished a career, have children and grandchildren, and enjoying life. I guess we all have to decide what we can live with or without. I hope you find the answer you are looking for.
Hi Jerry. Firstly I am touched by your thoughtfulness and the trouble that you took to message me. The empathy, understanding and support members of this group offer is both comforting and empowering. I feel for your situation - it looks like you have made the best of what is available - as most of us have to. Thank you for being so transparent and honest - it has given me lots to think about. Just this morning my wife reminded me of a phone call I received from a health professional concerning my elderly Mum's health a week ago and I have no recollection of it. I do find it very troubling that my memory has such glaring blanks in it. I guess, we have to accept our health condition and face it with courage while constantly researching and exploring best options. Like you, the combo of Tramadol, Pregabalin and Trazadone are working really well for me. I sleep well and have no rls. The alternatives - which I have tried with little success dont offer me much hope and the thought of going back to them makes me shudder at the thought. I look back on the 20 years of Pramipexole with massive regret. Only once I was off that med did I realise how it had affected my personality, mood and general responses. 20 wasted years. Anyway, I wish you all the best Jerry. You have done well. Enjoy your retirement and time with your precious family. I hope and pray your mind stays alert and active! God bless. Gary.
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