pregabalin

[senders]

I am going to try pregabalin because I have to take gabapentin at 4 different times to get the 2100mg. What is the best way to take the pregabalin?

I trust people on this forum about dosing more than I trust my doctors. You all are going through this and have experience.

[Oscarcat63]

I take 150 - 300 mg at night, all in one dose.I began on 75 mg with a dopamine agonist, but did stop the latter completely after 7 month due to augmentation.

For me, it has mostly controlled my rls and I did not put on weight, BUT, it really has done nothing for pain, (at least for me)

Usually I take it around 9 pm.

However, I have been given extra 25mg capsules to take in the morning, but I have only had one so far.

I hope this helps.

[senders in reply to Oscarcat63]

Thank you

[SueJohnson]

Take it 1 to 2 hours before bed.

[senders in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you

[senders in reply to senders]

Can you take more than 600 mg a day of Lyrica?

[SueJohnson in reply to senders]

No.

[senders in reply to SueJohnson]

Can you take 600 at once ?

[senders in reply to senders]

I guess they already answered that but I wanted to make sure with Lyrica.

[SueJohnson in reply to senders]

Yes

[amrob123 in reply to senders]

I'm not sure why you'd want to take 600mg per day of Lyrica. If you have been taking 2100mg gabapentin, that's equivalent to 350mg pregabalin. Side effects of pregabalin increase the higher the dose. I have been on it for the best part of 10 years. The more i learn about this medication, the more inclined i am to come off it.

[senders in reply to amrob123]

I am at my wits end. The gabapentin isn’t working so I thought I would try pregabalin. I was on methadone but it really messed with my mental state. It did help with my symptoms though. Does the pregabalin help your symptoms? What makes you want to come off it?

[SueJohnson in reply to senders]

Only increase it by 25 mg every couple of days starting with the 350 mg. It's possible your dopamine receptors were damaged by being on the DAs and it won't work even with increased doses. If that happens you need to come off it very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects - like 25 mg every 2 weeks.

[senders in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you

[amrob123 in reply to senders]

Pregabalin works very well for my PLMD (not perfect but good enough). However, the side effects have gotten worse over time and are the reason i'm now coming off it. I have wanted off it for years but in the absence of viable alternatives, it has been difficult. The side effects include things like reduced cognitive function, severely impaired memory, excessive daytime fatigue (to the point i have been investigated for chronic fatigue syndrome), reduced mood, heat intolerance and so on. There's also a higher risk for developing dementia for pregabalin users. I now belong to a Lyrica survivors group on Facebook and the experience of other members closely match my own experience of Lyrica. I would never say to anyone not to take it, as being able to sleep is paramount, however i would say, consider all alternatives before taking it.

[senders in reply to amrob123]

Thank you for the warning. Do you know if gabapentin has similar effects long term?

[amrob123 in reply to senders]

Gabapentin also has a deleterious impact on cognition and its use is associated with an increased risk of dementia. Pregabalin and gabapentin are the same class of drug so i believe that some of the side effects overlap but i have not looked into gabapentin closely.

[senders in reply to amrob123]

Honestly I think all the drugs for this horrible disease or whatever it is are going to have terrible side effects because it’s not natural for people to take this stuff for life. I guess it’s picking what works and what we can handle.

I am so grateful for everyone’s responses and knowledge. Like I said I trust all of you more than my doctor because you all are living it. She is just prescribing the drugs. And I feel that, that is where my hell started.

I don’t think my RLS would be severe like this if I had never taking a dopamine agonist.

[Keith1231 in reply to amrob123]

I am trying to come off Pregabalin but its not easy. Too fast and the side effects are quite awful. Get it right and you think why am I coming off this medication as I seem to be tolerating its side effects, so I stay on. You cant win. Hovering on 50 to 75mg atm.

[senders in reply to Keith1231]

Thanks for the heads up

[amrob123 in reply to Keith1231]

It's definitely a case of the slower you go, the better Keith 1231. Some people say that they withdraw quickly with seemingly no trouble, and then weeks later, they develop severe delayed withdrawal symptoms.

[Joolsg]

You can take it all in one dose, as it is more easily absorbed than gabapentin.

[senders in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you

[BoldMove]

If you ween off, I find something natural, you might be better off. Drugs are dangerous.

New Concerns About Gabapentin and Pregabalin (Lyrica) for Nerve Pain

Over 12 million people take GABA agonists for nerve pain. A report raises new concerns about gabapentin and pregabalin. Pros and cons?

Read this article: peoplespharmacy.com/article...

[Moonwalker1967]

If I weaned off all meds means no sleep at all. I have had RLS since childhood and so have my kids. I am now on 200 mg Gabapentin 2 hours before sleep.