calcium and gabapentin

[RLShelpforme]

I know calcium and gabapentin aren’t good to take within a few hours of each other. What about calcium foods like yogurt taken close to gabapentin doses?? Is that ok or does that decrease the effectiveness of gabapentin? Thank you.

[Madlegs1]

As usual-- Google is utterly contradictory in its opinions.

I usually advise against magnesium, but to be on the safe side I would avoid calcium as well.

You'd have to talk to a dietician about yogurts etc.

Good luck.

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[RLShelpforme in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you.

[SueJohnson]

As Madlegs said there is not any information on this but it's probably best to avoid,

[RLShelpforme in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you.

[minired]

I didn’t know about this. I usually take them together! Please tell me more.

[RLShelpforme in reply to minired]

Calcium and magnesium decrease the effectiveness of gabapentin if taken too close together.

[minired in reply to RLShelpforme]

Thank you. That’s very helpful

[SueJohnson in reply to minired]

Here is how to take gabapentin. Take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. 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.

And as long as I am about it here is the other things I usually say.

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? This is the first thing your doctor should have done. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, avoid a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, foods high in glutamate, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), collagen supplements, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennell, low oxalate diet, a low-inflammatory diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak (epsom salts), vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, playing and listening to music, creative hobbies, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any I may be able to provide a safe alternative.

[RLShelpforme in reply to SueJohnson]

I am taking 500 mg of Gabapentin. Helps some nights. Ferritin is 60 and saturation is 34%. Doctor wasn't open to iron infusion. I am currently taking iron bisglycinate 50 mg every other night. I take magnesium also but spaced 3 hours earlier than gabapentin. My iron numbers are from earlier this year so I need to get it tested again. Also using Nidra bands in a study - possibly helping. Thanks for your help, Sue.

[SueJohnson]

I assume you have seen my advice to take your iron with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice as that helps absorption and also take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it too also helps its absorption. And take it at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee or tea and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee or tea since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and the tannins in coffee and tea limit absorption

50 mg is not enough. You need at least 65 mg. You could take 2 of your 50 mg pills.

[RLShelpforme in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you. I take a vitamin c pill of 1000 mg with the iron- is that too much? I will take an additional iron pill of 25 mg and add the lactobactillus. Thank you.

[SueJohnson in reply to RLShelpforme]

1000 mg is not too much. You just don't need that much for the iron absorption.