Discussion board newbie's story with meds
Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 4:53 pm
Hi. I've had RLS for longer than I remember - 15 years? 20 years? - and it is worsening as I age (now 55) as it is known to do.
My iron level is fine (167) and I don't drink, smoke or drink caffeine.
I am currently taking 1,200 mg of Gabapentin per night, staggering 4 300 mg capsules from about 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Gabapentin Enacarbil is not available in Canada where I am. I also use a CPAP machine irregularly each night as I have borderline sleep apnea and sometimes snore, disturbing my partner. I am also taking Bupropion for mild depression.
A recent visit to a neurologist showed no nerve damage, but the Dr. suggested trying 5 pills (total of 1,500 mg) on nights when I don't have to get up early for work the next day. Neither 1,200 to 1,500 stops the RLS. I think it "mutes" it and delays onset. I usually don't get RLS while watching TV at night any more, but now I get RLS starting in the middle of the night - waking me up - and sometimes continuing when I fully wake up.
I went on Gabapentin while weaning myself off Pramipexole (.75 mg) which I was on for years, developing severe augmentation during that time. It took probably 3 months to get the Pramipexole out of my system.
Along the way I've also tried Clonazepam, Tramadol and Pregabalin, at various doses, usually trying to reduce the Pramipexole at the same time. Only the Clonazepam had a partial benefit but left me too groggy the next morning, not good if you commute.
I have not tried opioids but don't wish to; it was suggested by a sleep doctor as the next course of action if Gabapentin fails to work.
Gabapentin has delayed onset and the symptoms aren't as severe as when I was on Pramipexole, but I'm starting to think that I'm experiencing augmentation with Gabapentin even though it isn't supposed to occur with that drug.
Has anyone taken regular Gabapentin and experienced anything similar to augmentation?
I was optimistic when first starting Gabapentin but now I'm disappointed.
I am wondering about asking my doctor to supplement my Gabapentin with a very low dose of Clonazepam.
Thanks.
My iron level is fine (167) and I don't drink, smoke or drink caffeine.
I am currently taking 1,200 mg of Gabapentin per night, staggering 4 300 mg capsules from about 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Gabapentin Enacarbil is not available in Canada where I am. I also use a CPAP machine irregularly each night as I have borderline sleep apnea and sometimes snore, disturbing my partner. I am also taking Bupropion for mild depression.
A recent visit to a neurologist showed no nerve damage, but the Dr. suggested trying 5 pills (total of 1,500 mg) on nights when I don't have to get up early for work the next day. Neither 1,200 to 1,500 stops the RLS. I think it "mutes" it and delays onset. I usually don't get RLS while watching TV at night any more, but now I get RLS starting in the middle of the night - waking me up - and sometimes continuing when I fully wake up.
I went on Gabapentin while weaning myself off Pramipexole (.75 mg) which I was on for years, developing severe augmentation during that time. It took probably 3 months to get the Pramipexole out of my system.
Along the way I've also tried Clonazepam, Tramadol and Pregabalin, at various doses, usually trying to reduce the Pramipexole at the same time. Only the Clonazepam had a partial benefit but left me too groggy the next morning, not good if you commute.
I have not tried opioids but don't wish to; it was suggested by a sleep doctor as the next course of action if Gabapentin fails to work.
Gabapentin has delayed onset and the symptoms aren't as severe as when I was on Pramipexole, but I'm starting to think that I'm experiencing augmentation with Gabapentin even though it isn't supposed to occur with that drug.
Has anyone taken regular Gabapentin and experienced anything similar to augmentation?
I was optimistic when first starting Gabapentin but now I'm disappointed.
I am wondering about asking my doctor to supplement my Gabapentin with a very low dose of Clonazepam.
Thanks.