Hi, so i have now been on 150mg/day and i'm still experiencing very acute pain in my legs (quads mostly and calves) I have to get up and take ibruprofen plus co-codamol. As I am a PT and train a lot, it can be hard to separate what might be RLS vs training soreness. I first went on Ropinirole after RLS diagnosed - my legs were in severe pain at night, even if i hadn't trained for days - so i knew it wans't down to overtraining/lack of rest and recovery.
After taking Ropinirole, the pain went away. I switched to Gabapentin and that also worked for time. Now I am taking Pregabalin, I feel it is working to a degree but I am still getting leg pain and therefore feel i should ask the GP to increase.
As I understand it, the RLS doseage for Pregabalin is 150-600mg. If that's the case, asking for an incementtal increase to 225 would seem reasonable?
Incidentally, I know when the RLS is very bad as(in addition to the pain) it wakes my partner, but I also have very soothe legs on the side of my calves due to the persistence of my legs rubbing together and rubbing the hair off :O)
Nick
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bluffpt
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You can ask for an increase and add 25mg every few days.Also ensure you get full iron panel blood tests and raise your serum ferritin above 100, preferably 200.
Intense exercise can exacerbate RLS, especially late afternoon, early evening.
If a higher doseof pregabalin, and raising serum ferritin don't improve your RLS and PLMD, then low dose, long half life opioids ( Buprenorphine or methadone) will be the next step.
The usual range for pregabalin is from 150 to 450mg. From my experience, you really don't want to be on anything much over 300mg.
150 mg is a fairly low dose so you can certainly ask for an increase although I wouldn't jump to 225 but as Joolsg said add 25 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that controls your symptoms.
Hi, I'm exactly the same, pt, pregabalin has stopped working and I refuse to increase my dose after the recent study that was released this week.I'm going to request marajuana at my review next week,I am just waiting for the results of my most recent iron test .
Ignore that study. It doesn't apply to those of us with RLS. It was mostly from street use and used with other drugs. If You want to come off it, that's fine, but that shouldn't be your reason. If you decide to come off it you need to do so very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. Reduce by 25 mg every 2 weeks. If you do so you will have no withdrawal effects.
Thankyou Sue, I have a review in 2 weeks for a care plan to come off, but what else is available???? Thankyou for your reassurance re the study, very helpful.
I thought you said in January the drowsiness you felt on pregabalin wasn't so bad. If that is the case why not try increasing it by 25 mg.
Otherwise your option is a low dose opioid like buprenorphine (you wants the pills rather than the patch) or methadone. I wouldn't take the others as they wear off in 4 to 6 hours and you get mini withdrawals unless you take them that often. See the side panel Opioids for RLS - some useful information
Thankyou, the dizziness stopped but so do the meds so my legs are raging again, it's 150mg capsules, I tried cutting them but the powder just goes everywhere so took 300mg and that took forever to get out of .y system ...I.couldnt drive .Thankyou for the information I'll read it before my review,unfortunately it appears things work for me then stop after a few months .
I am sorry you are having pain along with RLS, but I have never taken Ropinerole ever. I have found Bali Red Vein Kratom to be the best relief for RLS I have suffered from for 50 years. I have had relief from it for the past two years I have been taking it in capsule form. I order it from Kratom Country in powder form, it’s the most economical way to buy it. I buy the powder form and order 00size empty capsules from Amazon and make my own capsules with an inexpensive but messy capsule filler from Amazon. It seemed to work almost right away. I take 2 to four grams two hours before bedtime. It’s not harmful if yo up the dose a gram or so or decrease to see what works best for you. I had shoulder surgery two weeks ago and had to stop taking all medications and supplements two weeks before surgery and the sleep I got during those two weeks was horrid. I sometimes spent up to 3am moving my legs, even while groggy, but couldn’t sleep. I took it the night of y surgery and have slept so well since. Proof for me that it helps me. I take Red Baali I buy from Kratom Country. Red kratom strain effects can vary widely. Red Borneo kratom earns widespread acclaim for its painkilling abilities, while red Maeng Da powder is known as the most potent hybrid. Other cherry versions aid in mood enhancement or ease stress. I suggest you do your homework on the various strains as I did and found red vein the only one for me. It is not expensive at all. I order 8 ounces at a time an will fill enough capsules to last me for months, taking three to four capsules two hours before bedtime every night and by 9pm I am groggy and relaxed.
Classic red Bali kratom leans towards the relaxing side of the spectrum with moderate analgesic properties. Slightly higher doses can make the sedative effects more apparent.
Red Bali is one of the most popular strains for newbies and also experienced kratom aficionados. It has an almost unlimited number of uses or applications.
The most common alkaloids in kratom are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). They act on opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), which means this plant can provide reactions similar to pharmaceutical opioids.
Small doses of Bali kratom powder often prompt surprisingly stimulating and energetic reactions. Some people microdose to create this effect, but increased tolerance soon spoils the party.
Higher doses might provide some euphoria and discomfort management. At very high amounts, it mimics sedative, preempting peace, quiet, and probably sleep.
If you’re new to kratom, start with 2–4 grams. If after an hour you feel underwhelmed, gradually raise your intake. Remember that red strains can produce a range of effects, and some are much stronger than others. Progressing with caution is prudent.
The other green and white veins of Kratom have other slight euphoric properties, well being feelings, thus it can only be ordered if over 21 years of age.
My doc was very happy increasing dose until it worked, but I'm mostly sorted at 200 of ropinirole.
I have to take cyclizine to avoid vomiting, though the advantage is it makes falling asleep easier (when it works).
Intense exercise have me brief relief from rls before the drugs started working, but they allowed sleep, though only for 10-15 minutes.
My issue is during the day, particularly the evening. I get a desperate need to move my legs, which is almost impossible to meet. Don't know if anyone else has this issue, or a solution.
Still I hope you find the right dosage - increase slowly, coming back down will be hard work. My frustration is that often it doesn't last long enough, a night's sleep is never more than 7 hours and often as low as 5. Reducing levels is likely to be worse - also remember, this is drugs you are likely to have to take for life, so the lowest effective dosage is good
Many thanks for all replies. I have a call with GP next week and will ask for an increase as many have advised. It is currently clearly too low as my partner says she can see my legs moving a lot periodically at night, plus my legs (predominantly quads) are painful/sore when i wake and that stays with me most of the day - and not down to training as i've taken a few days off and should not be experiencing any muscle soreness/pain.
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Pregabalin
Pregabalin 
need help from someone with similar experiences with pregabalin tapering 
