Anyone tried Lyrica for RLS?

[TimeEnd]

After several years on Belbuca (buprenorphine) and developing mixed apnea during that time, I am wondering—suspecting—that the cause of the apnea is the breathing suppressant in the semi-ipioid. Belbuca works wonderfully to tame my difficult-to-treat RLS of over 50 years now. However, I need oxygen above 90 SAT, so … my doctor suggested Lyrica. Has anyone had any good results with that?

[SueJohnson]

Lyrica is now the NICE recommendation for first line treatment. I use gabapentin but often switch for one night to lyrica when it is inconvenient to take divided doses.

Beginning dose is usually 75 mg pregabalin. It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 25 mg pregabalin every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 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. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 200 to 300 mg pregabalin."

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so what was it? If not this is the first thing that should be done for RLS. When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight. 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 ferritin to be over 100 as improving it to that helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their RLS and you want your transferrin saturation to be between 20 and 45. If your ferritin is less than 100 or your transferrin saturation is not between 20 and 45 post back here and we can give you some advice.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen without progesterone and sometimes even with it, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise. It is a good idea to keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate 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, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, 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, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute. I have a list of more than 300 medicines and OTC supplements that make RLS worse and have safe alternatives for most of them.

[TimeEnd in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks so much to all of you for responding. I have a better idea of how to proceed now. No drug is good for us, but we’ll die faster from lack of sleep than we will from drug damage. Sad to say, but true.

[MaxxRLS]

Hi,

Lyrica is pregablin so anything on here about pregablin relates directly to Lyrica.

[Munroist]

Many people on this forum find that pregabalin helps their RLS, in some cases almost completely alleviates it. It can have side effects such as oedema or cognitive fog but really the only way to know is to try it. Gabapentin is an alternative as Sue has said but is effectively the same drug, although the dosage is different and some people tolerate one better than the other. Good luck