Lyrica (pregabalin).RLS

[MARISEGATIEN]

Il started to take Lyrica. The objective it to stop to take Neupro because I have skin Allergy. With Lyrica, I'm Little depressive and increase m'y appetive. Should continue to take Lyrica?

[Madlegs1]

Keep taking it for a few weeks.

Your body has to get used to the new medicine.

What dose are you on-- if you read back on various replies on this site ,you will see what the correct dosing to take, when starting.

Are you still on the Neupro?

Good luck.

[MARISEGATIEN in reply to Madlegs1]

Yes, I'm still on Neupro until a Reach 150mg of Lyrica, after I Will start to reduce Neupro and increase Lyrica.

[SueJohnson in reply to MARISEGATIEN]

Why wait? Lyrica isn't going to help you much while you are on Neupro.

[MARISEGATIEN in reply to SueJohnson]

Because my doctor want to see if side effets are due to Lyrica or withdrawal of Neupro. Always I switch drug, l have strong allergy or Side effets. Sorry I Speach French so my english is bad.

[SueJohnson in reply to MARISEGATIEN]

OK and no need to apologize.

[amrob123]

If your feelings of depression worsen or are really troubling you, then come off pregabalin (Lyrica). Some people are unable to take it for that very reason. If you've been taking it only a few weeks, you can reduce 25mg every few days but beware, withdrawal can also induce depression / anxiety.

[SueJohnson]

Lyrica is more likely to increase appetite and thus cause weight gain than gabapentin so I suggest you try switching to gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug except you 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. Multiply the pregabalin amount by 6 to get the correct dose. 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. If you take magnesium, even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of the gabapentin as it reduces the absorption of the gabapentin. If you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason.

As far as the depression as Madlegs said give it a few weeks. If it is still a problem ask for Wellbutrin or trazodone. Wellbutrin is slightly better for depression. It doesn't kick in right away so give it some time. There are even anecdotal cases of it helping RLS. Trazodone also helps anxiety and insomnia.

[Joolsg]

Reduce the Neupro very slowly.Two ways to do it.

Cut a 1mg patch into quarters and reduce by a quarter patch every 2 weeks OR switch to the equivalent dose of Normal release Ropinirole and reduce by 0.25mg every 2 weeks.

Withdrawal from Neupro can cause depression and some people get depressed on Lyrica.

If you still feel depressed after 2/3 weeks on lyrica, see your doctor to discuss an alternative.

Gabapentin is a possibility, or a low dose opioid.

But also ensure your serum ferritin is above 200ųg/L as that can resolve most cases of RLS. Iron therapy is first line treatment.

[MARISEGATIEN in reply to Joolsg]

Thank tout. I had try Gabapentin but I had strong allergy. You said a low dose of opioid, could you Tell me more on that.

[Joolsg in reply to MARISEGATIEN]

Opioids are prescribed for refractory RLS, if gabapentinoids fail.The most effective are the long half life opioids - methadone and Buprenorphine.

Dr Berkowski is a top expert and is clear that Neupro does not stop augmentation and is as bad as all the other dopamine agonists.

youtu.be/Tz7g9sxS0_I?si=dCW...(Not working as expected?)

Look at his other videos and read the info on his website about opioids.

[SueJohnson in reply to MARISEGATIEN]

I didn't know this when I suggested switching to gabapentin. In that case a low dose opioid would work. I would recommend buprenorphine or methadone as they are long lasting. Most of the others last only 4 to 6 hours and need to be taken that often or you will have mini withdrawals. If you are prescribed one of the others be sure you are given enough to take them that often.

Or another one to try after you are off Neupro is dipyridamole. You might want to discuss this with your doctor. It has helped some people on this forum and another forum I am on and has completely eliminated RLS in some. In the winter 2022 edition of Night Walkers, the publication of RLS.org there is an article by Sergi Ferre about dipyridamole discussing the effectiveness of it in a 2 week double blind placebo controlled study showing it completely ameliorated all symptoms. The study was by Dr. Garcia Borreguero movementdisorders.onlinelib... sciencedirect.com/science/a...

Take it on an empty stomach. (fats inhibit absorption) about 1-1/2 to 2 hours before bed. If you have headaches they tend to disappear or lessen after around 5 days.

[SueJohnson in reply to Joolsg]

The problem with cutting it in quarters rather than in sixths is that would be the equivalent of .375 mg of ropinirole.

[Cmorc]

Those are indeed side effects of the drug. I experienced them as well, but the drug has controlled my RLS better than anything else.

So I guess that’s the question - has it helped to control your symptoms? Discuss the balance of positive & negative effects with your physician and decide next steps: reducing the dosage of Lyrica, adding and antidepressant, or starting a different drug altogether. I think most of us here on this forum have experienced both good & bad effects of the drugs we take for RLS.

I personally have stayed on the drug, and worked very hard on the other aspects to manage side effects.