Gabapentin and requip

[Granslover]

I'm on 300 milligram Gabapentin and was just prescribed require my auto spell won't spell the other word took the Gabapentin at 10:45 can I take the other not the Gabapentin but the other

[SueJohnson]

No No No ! Do not take requip. It is a dopamine agonist and up to 70% of people will eventually suffer augmentation according to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which believe me you don't want because it can be hell to come off it and the longer you are on it, the harder it will be to come off it and the more likely your dopamine receptors will be damaged so that the now first line treatment for RLS gabapentin won't work.

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so what was it? If not this is the first thing that should be done for RLS. When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight. Have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your ferritin to be over 100 as improving it to that helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their RLS and you want your transferrin saturation to be between 20 and 45. If your ferritin is less than 100 or your transferrin saturation is not between 20 and 45 post back here and we can give you some advice.

Also don't let your doctor prescribe another dopamine agonist like pramipexole (mirapex). They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. Instead continue the gabapentin. It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 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 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. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin ." If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin (it is OK with pregabalin) as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and don't take calcium within 2 hours for the same reason (not sure about pregabalin). Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it as yours isn' or s/he wouldn't have prescribed requip at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

By the way it would really help us to give you advice if you would indicate on your profile what country you live in and your gender and any other health conditions you have.

[Joolsg]

Totally agree with Sue. You're in the USA, where the top RLS experts have written the Mayo Clinic Algorithm for the treatment of RLS.Why isn't your doctor aware of it or following it? In the UK, failure to warn about the risks of Requip ( severe drug induced worsening & Impulse Control Disorder) is 'breach of duty' and the doctor can be sued for negligence. As the US is far more litigious, I'm surprised your doctor is not up to date on his knowledge and treatment.

Follow SueJohnson advice, find a new doctor who knows about RLS.

Do NOT take requip. It WILL eventually make your RLS more severe.

Iron therapy is the best, first treatment. Most people could be med free if they were treated with iron first.

[LotteM]

I second Sue and Jools.

I think the crux of your situation seems that you haven’t yet taken the gabapentin long enough to assess its effectiveness. Also, your dose of 300 mg gabapentin is still very low, most people need 900-1200mg I think. See the Mayo Clinic treatment algorithm.