Gabapentin and Ropinirole together

[Louless9]

part 3

Finally had the chat with my GP and I started Gabapentin 100mg 3 times a day on top of the Ropinirole. I also have a vitamin D3 supplement.

I double checked with the pharmacist that I could take the two medications together and she said yes.

after 2 hours I feel incredibly sleepy and struggle to stay awake, the good news is my RLS has not been as bad. I am meant to increase the Gabapentin to 300mg slowly over the next couple of months but I’m not sure I could cope with the drowsiness and I have noticed an increase in my appetite already.

The GP got the same letter as me so I have no access to precise levels of iron etc.

This is a record of my experience.

[SueJohnson]

I have read that in the UK your results go somewhere where you can access them yourself. You might want to ask that question or someone will be along to answer it in this post. You have a right to your results.

The side effects will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. If not you can try switching to pregabalin. Although it is basically the same drug except you don't 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. Divide the gabapentin amount by 6 to get the correct dose. Also unless you have RLS symptoms during the day take your gabapentin 1 to 2 hours before bedtime, since that is when one normally has symptoms unless augmenting or withdrawing from ropinirole as you are. Then you want to be tired.

[Louless9 in reply to SueJohnson]

Last evening my legs really started playing up and that was after a gentle exercise session.

I can’t wait for the mri appt.

[SueJohnson in reply to Louless9]

You need a low dose opioid to help with the withdrawal symptoms.

[Louless9 in reply to SueJohnson]

I’m not withdrawing the Ropinirole, I’m taking 1.5 mg three times a day along with gabapentin 100mg 3 times a day

[SueJohnson in reply to Louless9]

You should be. 4.5 mg is above the max dose of 4.0 and you are augmenting as you did on pramipexole. It is only going to get worse and gabapentin will do very little while you are still on it.

[Kejimkujik]

I have just seen a neurologist who is helping me come off pramipexole as I have clearly augmented (RLS worsened. Got more frequent and worse symptoms throughout my body). She said that switching to ropinerole would cause the same thing to happen. She also said that while I continue to take pramipexole the gabapentin would not take effect, but to start taking it now, as I start withdrawing from pramipexole. She also prescribed a low dose opioid to assist with the withdrawal and to replace pramipexole long-term. She advices me to start slow with both meds and add as needed to find optimum dose for me. She could not tell me that as it is different for each person she works with. Slow and steady it seems wins this race. Good luck.

[joker826 in reply to Kejimkujik]

Gabappentent and trazadone work for me.

[Louless9 in reply to Kejimkujik]

Your neurologist sounds great.

May I ask what part of the country you are? If only all the neurologists would get together and talk about this.

[Kejimkujik in reply to Louless9]

I live in Nova Scotia, Canada.

[Rushgram in reply to Kejimkujik]

Hi Kejimkujik I have been on Pramipexole 0.25mg x 2 ( I take them at 5 PM ) for many years. I am suffering now with augmentation. Would you mind telling me the exact medication and dosages that your neurologist prescribed for you as I would like to share it with my doctor. Thank you for any help you may be able to provide.

[Rushgram in reply to Kejimkujik]

My doctor wanted me to do a drug holiday ( Pramipexole 0.25 mg and Tylenol #3 for one week and then Tylenol #3 x 2 for the second week. I don’t think I can do it though because my RLS is too severe so I am looking for another way.

[Kejimkujik in reply to Rushgram]

Sorry Rushgram I did not see your question for me as this post is not mine. will post directly to you rather than hijack this one.