Gabapentin dosage

[Thebarber]

Hi, I have now been off pramipexole about ten weeks, things have vastly improved. I am taking 3 x 600mg gabapentin (2 hour gap between doses) It's 2.46am legs and one arm are going crazy stopping me sleeping. This is the third time this has happened within a week. (Stil better than it used to be) Are things still settling down or should I or can I ask to increase the gabapentin. I also take Trazodone 100mg , Amitriptyline 10mg at night. What is the maximum gabapentin I can take .

[Madlegs1]

Amitriptyline is doing you no good as far as RLS is concerned.

Could you try a while without it-- in consultation with your doctor.

Most people find it drives their RLS through the roof.

[Thebarber in reply to Madlegs1]

Hello again, you are so right, I stopped the amitriptyline and wow the difference is incredible. Everything has settled down. Thank you so much.

[SueJohnson]

Madlegs is right. There is an excellent chance it is the Amitriptyline. You are already taking trazodone which is also an antidepressant like Amitriptyline so you don't need both. I would try weaning off it.

If that doesn't work you could increase the gabapentin but that means adding it 2 hours before so I would suggest instead that you switch to pregabalin that can be taken in one dose 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. The equivalent dose to 1800 mg gabapentin is 300 pregabalin and you could increase that by 25 mg until your symptoms are completely controlled. I know you said it did nothing for you before but that was probably before you were off pramipexole or because you were on a low dose. It should be equally effective as gabapentin.

[Thebarber in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi, yes it was the amitriptyline, everything has settled down. Thanks for all your help,you are all brilliant.

[Joolsg]

7Stop Amitriptyline! It's a tricyclical anti depressant. GPs routinely prescribe it for nerve pain BUT it makes RLS 1000% worse.Tell your GP to read NICE guidance on RLS which states that all anti depressants worsen RLS. GP also needs to read RLS-UK website. Under treatment, see 'medications to avoid'.

We haven't asked you to list ALL meds you are taking. There could be other trigger meds. So are you on anything else?

Once you stop Amitriptyline, your RLS will improve dramatically.

Plus, it's early days since you stopped Pramipexole.

It can take months for withdrawals to settle.

So do NOT increase gabapentin yet. Wait until you stop Amitriptyline. If you've been on it longer than 2 months, ask your GP to give you a safe withdrawal schedule. Presumably you weren't taking it for depression?

[Thebarber in reply to Joolsg]

Yes it was the amitriptyline,stopped taking it now and everything has settled down. Thank you

[Griso1100]

Ive been taking amytrytyline for about a year now, it seems to help me fall asleep but if i get reztless legs it doesnt help. Im not recommending this for everybody, but if i take kratom before bed iget a decent sleep and my restless leg episodes are few and far between. I used to be up at all hours pacing the house when i had bad attacks, but kratom has been a godsend for me

[Thebarber in reply to Griso1100]

Hi, thanks for the advice,I have never heard of kratom. I'll look it up and give it a try. I can fall asleep, it's staying asleep that is my problem. I have stopped taking amitriptyline and things have settled down for me.

[Griso1100 in reply to Thebarber]

Do your research though my friend. Kratom used to be,may still be, illegal in some countries and for some people apparently can be a bit addictive....im just saying for me its helped. A lot... hope you get some relief RLS is horrible

[Suesh]

I have been off Pramipexole for around 2 months now. In the past I tried Gabapentin but it had no effect on my restless legs - it just made me feel dopey 24/7. The day after I weaned myself off Pramipexole I started on Pregabalin - 1 x 75mg for the first week and then increased to 2 x 75mg. I am a new person! With Pramipexole l only managed a maximum of four hours sleep, whereas now I can get a normal nights sleep. One thing to remember though - alcohol and antihistamines prevent Pregabalin from working, so I have to stay away from them. I hope this helps…

[SueJohnson in reply to Suesh]

Alcohol and sedating antihistamines do not make pregabalin not work per se, but because they can make RLS worse the pregabalin may not control the RLS. There are safe antihistamines for RLS: Claritin (loratadine,Clarityn), zyrtec (Cetirizine) or allegra (Fexofenadine, Telfast).