pregabalin

[Ceba1]

I had been on Pramiorexole and finally got off of it. Symptoms have been horrible.

My doctor suggests pregabalin. My pharmacist says it’s a restricted drug and one can build tolerance to it over time and that it has addictive properties.

I don’t want to trade one problem for another. I am hesitant to take it. Same with opioids that are also being suggested. This seems like serious stuff that could turn bad.

Has anyone here gotten LASTING results from either without having to continually increase dosage. Has anyone gotten caught in the trap of continually increasing amounts until it just stops working.

Thank you in advance for your feedback and contributions.

[Madlegs1]

I have been on a low dose opioid for over 10 years now. 25mg pd.

I have never needed to up the dose or felt addicted.

I am certainly dependent on it-- as a paraplegic would be dependent on a wheelchair.

There is a long term study on opioid usage for RLS that consistently shows no increase in dose for such people.

If you are not of an addictive personality, then you need have absolutely no fears.

There is a lot of hysterical paranoia out there which is doing untold damage to genuine patients.

It's rather like banning all motor cars because a few people get killed by them.

Hope that puts your mind at rest.

Cheers.

[Ceba1 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you. This is so helpful. I just had a lunch with a friend and all I could talk about was these fears of having to take more and more. After the experience with pramiprexol, I have major distrust of doctors and medical establishment. Thank you.

[SueJohnson]

Nonsense! It is not addictive. The maximum amount is 600 mg and the usual effective amount according to the Mayo Updated Algorithm on RLS is 200 mg to 300 mg. During the first year it is common to adjust the dosage. After that you might need to increase it by 25 mg every decade or so. I use it when it is inconvenient to take gabapentin.

Congratulations for getting off pramipexole! I know it was not easy. The beginning dose is usually 75 mg pregabalin. It takes 3 weeks for pregabalin to be fully effective. and it won't be fully effective until your withdrawal symptoms have settled. After that increase it by 25 mg pregabalin every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours. Most of the side effects will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms.

[Ceba1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you. Has the gabapentin amount been staying stable. Remains effective?

[SueJohnson in reply to Ceba1]

Yes

[pyramidhiker in reply to SueJohnson]

Hey Sue, I have been on 375 mg of Pregabalin for 2 months and have had very few RLS symptoms at night (can usually move a little and sleep through them) but the last 3 nights waking up with more significant symptoms about 6 hours after dosing. You said sometimes small adjustments occur during first year and this is common. I am close to max dose so increase by 25 mg or so? In the case of refractory RLS, which I most likely experience, have you seen people on both Pregabalin and a low dose opioid to manage symptoms? Thx.

[SueJohnson in reply to pyramidhiker]

Yes increase by 25 mg and see if that works. The maximum amount is 450 mg but you can actually go up to 600 mg.

You can take an opioid with pregabalin but you are better off with your pregabalin as opioids can have undesirable side effects.

[pyramidhiker in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. I have an appointment with my Neurologist on the 10th.

[DonkeyRose]

Been on pregabalin for 14 years and i had to increase dosage over time but now reduced back to 25mg

[Ceba1 in reply to DonkeyRose]

How did you reduce back? Why? Was it to start fresh and for more effective results? I was thinking of trying to do a reset every year to avoid developing addiction /tolerance.

[SueJohnson in reply to Ceba1]

That's not a good idea. First all it won't help. Second you have to reduce by 25 mg every 2 weeks to avoid withdrawal effects and your RLS will act up because it won't be enough to stop your RLS. The usual effective dose is 200 mg to 300 mg according to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[Aetje]

I am with pregabalin 75mg for over 3years plus the opioid Targin 10/5mg both twice a day it works for me for over80% but still have the odd nights that nothing works as I am 83 years old I don’t mind addiction anymore. Hope this information will help you.

[Rayme]

I never took DAs but I do have severe RL. I tried Pregabalin up to 450mg over 3 months but it didn't help my RL at all. The side effects were very unpleasant for me, foggy brain, blurred vision. I came off the dose over 4 mths, no problem there. But as I still had severe RL, only 2 hrs broken sleep a night, I started methadone and that has been good, on 7.5mg, not perfect, but infinitely better.