Gabapentin and ED.

[Thebarber]

Hi everyone, has anyone else experienced their GP losing interest.? I got a lot of avise from this site when I first joined, my GP was very enthusiastic about the advise we received. She was eager to learn, ( it's a bit unsettling when the patient is teaching the Doctor) I got off pramipexole and am now on Gabapentin which works 95% of the time. I was getting a little depressed after everything I had been through. This site advise I take ( I can not for the life of me remember the name) any way, It did not agree with me. So I went back to see the GP. The GP said "OK we will stop that medication, is there any thing else I can help you with" I asked are you going to replace it with something else. " yes if you can find out what you can take." Should she not be finding out what is suitable. I also told her about the ED effect of Gabapentin, "it's up to you, you can always stop taking the gabapentin " I said it was OK and for her not to worry about it... Because of everything I had been through, the ED was the last straw so now I'm single. So it doesn matter if I have ED or not..... . Lol

[SueJohnson]

It was probably trazodone or moclobemide. Wellbutrin was also mentioned but in the UK they don't like to prescribe it except for smoking cessation although it is very good for depression.

Another one to try is Vortioxetine.

[SueJohnson]

However there is a definite risk that vortioxetine might make RLS worse so I would check the others first.

[SueJohnson]

The more I think about it I wouldn't try vortioxetine. Check with your doctor or pharmacist which of the others you took and ask for one you didn't take.

[Joolsg]

It is very sad that RLS isn't taught at medical school or during GP training or neurological training. At least your GP was willing to learn and is admitting she hasn't got a clue!Many Doctors become very defensive when their patients make suggestions.

Trazodone or wellbutrin are the two safe anti depressants for RLS.

The depression will start to improve with each month you are off Pramipexole. Pramipexole flooded your dopamine receptors with dopamine. Take away the dopamine and you take away a huge hit of 'happy hormone'. It can take time to get that back naturally.

[Thebarber in reply to Joolsg]

Hi, Trazodone that was the name of the medication I could not remember.

[SueJohnson in reply to Thebarber]

Then ask for moclobemide.

[Ticki]

boy I say hallelujah on a Doctor Who will listen. I think that’s just great. I have a family physician forever who absolutely refused to read anything about my restless leg condition. Guy actually told me to have a nice day when I broke down mentally in his office.( two times) Yeah ,I’d be happy with your doctor, I hope you find the right medication that works for you ,that’s what we all search for .❤️‍🩹

[wildlegs]

Hi, I’m an 80 year old guy from USA and have been taking pramipexole for three years now. I moved from one state to another and obviously had to change doctors.(not fun) I’ve had RLS for 30 years and have tried many different drugs (doctors order) and it took 10 years to find something that worked. TRAMADOL but unfortunately when I moved I couldn’t find a doctor who agreed with me. I was on 150 mg of Tramadol for 15+ years and it worked great. With the move I couldn’t get a doctor to agree with me. After 2 years of looking a found a doctor who agreed with me. Unfortunately he would only give me a prescription for 100mg and it worked 90% of the time. When I told him this he added 1mg of pramipexole and it’s been working great ever since. Sorry to be a windbag but I’ve gone though many doctors who just don’t listen. I know Tramadol is an opioid but when I stared taking it it wasn’t. If it works great, everyone is different.

[SueJohnson in reply to wildlegs]

You are aware aren't you that you are taking twice the maximum amount of pramipexole? I would try reducing it by .125 mg every 2 weeks and see if you can get by with less pramipexole.

[SueJohnson in reply to wildlegs]

You might want to contact Dr. Camilla Matthews from RLS.org in Madison. I don't know whether she would prescribe that much tramadol but you might be able to get a video appointment if you don't live near Madison and explain you situation and ask.