Total symptoms control with Gabapentin?

[Anthas]

Hi everybody! So I keep reading about people who got complete remission of RLS symptoms with opiates but the ones that are on gabapentin or pregabalin don't seem to be so lucky. There always seems to be some RLS left... Are there people here who completely got rid of RLS symptoms while on gabbas? Or do opioids always get better results?Thanks!

[SueJohnson]

I did and many others on this forum have on gabapentin or pregabalin.

[Madlegs1]

There are different forms of RLS, and depending on how one experiences RLS, you will get different reactions.

1-rls caused by low iron-- usually sorted by supplementation or infusion.

2- triggers-- can be medication or food or drink. Need a diary to try and pinpoint. Elimination will generally sort this one out. eg--I avoid raising agents and super processed foods- sulphites etc.

3- genetic RLS --- research is ongoing, but generally needs some sort of medication to calm the symptoms. Alpha2 ligands progressing to low dose opioids are the current approaches.

I'm sure someone will edit this-- and welcome, but it may help people to see how they can approach relieving their symptoms..

It is also ok to balance medication with the degree of cover. ie balancing side effects of medications with say 95% control of symptoms.

Good luck.

[Strike26 in reply to Madlegs1]

Opiates had no effect on my RLS whatsoever- Gabapentin reduced the extreme symptoms I get by 90%. That has been life changing for me. But it’s the old old story with RLS- what works for one, may not for the other. It’s a case of following the invaluable advice on here until you find the answer for yourself.

[Mongolia2020 in reply to Madlegs1]

How interesting Marley’s. Bit do you think it is possible to have two types at same time? although not diagnosed until much later, i have had RLS since childhood, so likely genetic origin. But i definitely have food triggers also.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Mongolia2020]

Certainly!

I think triggers are a major factor in RLS. Probably because they have a huge effect on my own life.

Many people who claim not have obtained full relief with medication, have not checked out completely whatever is going into their mouths.

[Simkin]

Gabapentin alone did not give me relief. I had to take low dose buprenorphine plus low dose gabapentin.

[Moonwalker1967]

It's hit and miss. I still get RLS every second day. I am on 400 mg Gabapentin before in the evening. Nothing helps to get me symptom free.

[amrob123 in reply to Moonwalker1967]

That's a very small dose so I'm not surprised you aren't symptom free. My 8 year old son is on that dose.

[amrob123]

I got approx 80% relief on 300mg pregabalin. I never wanted to increase my dose beyond that because of the side effects. Different drugs work for different people. I get terrible insomnia from opiods which is why I don't take them.

[Rayme]

I tried pregabalin to 400mg and that didn't do anything for my severe RL. Then methadone at 7.5mg which works around 80%. I get breakthrough sometimes once or twice a night, but it's mild and I deal with it by briefly walking about or reading. Maybe more will eliminate RL but I don't like to have increased side effects. I do think those of us with genetic RLS may have other factors at play, for me that is hip oesteoarthritis (and stress maybe). The inflammation from hip problems has taken RL up many levels.

[BoxerDogLover89 in reply to Rayme]

Interestingly I also have osteoarthritis in my left hip and also wonder if stress makes it worse. I took tramadol for years for my hip only 1 per day after intense workouts/long hikes and soon found it helped my RLS by taking them 1 hour before bed. My RLS has recently got worse and Dr wants me on a dopamine agonist which I’m keen to avoid. I find tumeric also helps my arthritis somewhat.