Could Pregabalin be making me feel depressed?

[Nazgolapkhan]

I have been on Pregabalin 225mg for 4 months.I have been feeling very low and having very negative thoughts for the past month after work and family issues.

Could it be Pregabalin since I didn't have thus problem for the first 3 months?

[SueJohnson]

Yes it not very common but it is possible. You might want to try switching to gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug except you need to divide the doses, and the side effects are basically the same, some people find that the side effects that bother them on one don't bother them on the other. Multiply the pregabalin amount by 6 to get the correct dose. 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.

[Nazgolapkhan in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue.Sorry, I am a bit confused about how to divide the Gabapentin doses.

How do I divide 1200 mg?

[SueJohnson in reply to Nazgolapkhan]

You get 100 mg capsules. Then take 6 of these 1 to 2 hours before bedtime and the 6 of them 2 hours before that and then1 of them 2 hours before that. As an example if your bedtime is 10, take 6 capsules at 9, 6 capsules at 7 and 1 capsule at 5

[Purpleyam in reply to Nazgolapkhan]

If you are currently taking 225mg Pregabalin, the equivalent dose of Gabapentin is 1350mg. (I found that I needed a bit less Gabapentin than equivalent Pregabalin. That's just me? )So maybe see how 1200mg of Gabapentin does? For example take 600 mg 4 hours before bed, then take 600 mg 2 hours before bed.

I was on 300mg Pregabalin and hated the side effects. I switched to Gabapentin and am not taking 1800 mg Gaba, I get by on 1200 mg with WAY fewer side effects. Good luck!

[Nazgolapkhan in reply to Purpleyam]

Thanks a lot.That's really helpful to know.

[Joolsg]

Yes.racgp.org.au/afp/2014/octob...

You can try switching to gabapentin. Or a low dose opioid.

[Nazgolapkhan in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for your help

[WideBody]

From experience, yes Pregabalin can have some mental consequences. The good news is, your legs stopped moving, the bad news is your brain starts crying. Sadly, a lot of the drugs given to people with RLS have lots of nasty side effects. I have learned to read drug pamphlets like a love letter. I hope you find your relief soon.

[Kiram]

yes , I felt same way and so have many others , I also get low mood with Gabapentin. Take care

[BocaMom]

Oh yes. Pregabalin did an absolute number on me mentally.

[Dyingyoung]

Yes i think it could be pregabalin I was the same Once I started up the doze to 75 mg I started to feel really depressed abd did not care about the future I weaned myself off of pregabalin Stil have bad restless legs but I do not feel depressed in that way now

[SueJohnson in reply to Dyingyoung]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, support and understanding here.

You might want to try gabapentin. Although they are basically the same drug as pregabalin except you need to divide the doses, and the side effects are basically the same, some people find that the side effects that bother them on one don't bother them on the other. See the replies above that have found that. There is no reason to suffer and if you find you still are depressed you can easily come off it or ask for Wellbutrin or trazodone which are safe for RLS.

Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin . It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg 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. 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.

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 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin ."

If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin (it is OK with pregabalin) as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and don't take calcium nor antacids within 2 hours for the same reason (not sure about pregabalin).

Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

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.

By the way it would really help us to give you advice if you would indicate on your profile what country you live in and your gender and any other health conditions you have.

[Dyingyoung in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you sue for all your helpful advice I have been following this fir short while now and thete is such good helpful advice I don't actually feel low mood at the moment the amitraline was for the restless legs the dictor said but helpful to know there is anti depressant out thete that don't affect restless legs I am waiting to get my bloods done to check my iron level which at the moment is either 6 week wait I'm scotland or can't get booked in at all I will say all the levels that is needed to the doctor Thanks again 😀