Seeking input: taking Gabapentin 600mg nightly, RLS symptoms persist

[Discopage]

I was on Neupro for several years and tapered off about 5 months ago. Since then I’ve just been on Gabapentin 300mg x 2 nightly.

My RLS symptoms persist though they haven’t been worse than they were when I was experiencing augmentation from Neupro.

I’m curious if others here have found help from anything else, if Gabapentin alone hasn’t addressed your symptoms. That said, I’m not going to take a DA again.

[ChrisColumbus]

The Mayo Algorithm states: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily, but doses up to 3600 mg daily can be used. Because of nonlinear kinetics and substantial interindividual variability, the gabapentin dose often does not always reflect serum level, especially at single doses above 600 mg. For this reason, multiple doses of gabapentin, spaced at least 2 hours apart, may be necessary to enhance absorption and efficacy"

mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

There are plenty of other members with experience of RLS medications who will give you further advice on this and related subjects.

[SueJohnson]

I agree with ChrisColumbus. The amount you are taking i very low. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, take it at least 3 hours before or after taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and if you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason (not sure about pregabalin).

[Simkin]

I was also on neupro and then gabapentin. Gabapentin alone did not work so I am also on buprenorphine.So far with great success.

[Caperry]

I’m still on the Neupro patch(less than 2 mg) and .0125 cut in 3/4 of mirapex and 2100 mg of Gabapentin taken at 4-6-8 and bedtime around 9-9:30 and this usually works and I tolerate it well