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Rotating Meds

Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:13 pm
by Stainless
I saw a neurologist about the severity of my RLS. This is the first time I've used one beyond just a consultation. He added Lyrica to the mix of Clonazepam and Gabapentin I was already on. Worked like a champ for five weeks. Now, two months later, I'm about back where I started. My regular doctor wants me to wean off the Gabapentin at least. I don't know where I'll go next. Everything works so well for a while and then back to nights of torture. Has anyone had success rotating meds. Ropinirole, Lyrica and Clonazepam are the only things I have had success with. Thx

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:45 pm
by stjohnh
I never tried rotating meds, but several who post on this board do, with varying success as I recall. I had my best results (prior to my iron infusions) with low doses of multiple meds. For you that might look like ropinirole 1/2 of a 0.25 mg tablet, continue clonazepam and Lyrica, add low doses of THC (medical marijuana) and kratom.

I guess you didn't have any response to gabapentin? The reason I ask is that ordinarily Lyrica acts pretty much like gabapentin (other than costing a lot more). If you had a partial response to gabapentin, I would use that rather than the Lyrica.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Fri May 10, 2019 7:57 am
by badnights
You should definitley try it! I won't say more until my zopiclone has worn off - I shouldn't even be posting lol . But a comment on gabapentin vs pregabalin, it might be better to keep the pregabalin and lose the gabapentin because the latter is absorbed so erratically, it's hard to predict if it will be effective or not, so hard to manage your dose. Pregabalin is much better in that regard.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Sat May 11, 2019 6:05 am
by ViewsAskew
I have done things to treat this disease that I'd never have thought I would do. Seems to me that anything is worth a try. You never know.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Sun May 12, 2019 6:09 pm
by Stainless
Thx for the responses. Last few nights have been tolerable I assume because the ebb and flow of pain. Another RLS variable.

I'm on a bucket list vacation next few weeks. I'm hoping to get a reprieve from the worst of RLS as usual when traveling. Knock on wood!

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 2:05 am
by ViewsAskew
Stainless wrote:Thx for the responses. Last few nights have been tolerable I assume because the ebb and flow of pain. Another RLS variable.

I'm on a bucket list vacation next few weeks. I'm hoping to get a reprieve from the worst of RLS as usual when traveling. Knock on wood!
Knocking!

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Mon May 13, 2019 5:21 pm
by Polar Bear
Stainless - Knock Knock

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 3:27 pm
by Stainless
I had an incredible 2 weeks in London and Portsmouth and the RLS backed off even for long jet rides. I wish I could count on a dose of vacation working and I would plan even more intense traveling. We won a cheap upgrade coming back from Virgin which was a godsend. I watched three movies and was home (plug for Virgin Atlantic).We did AB&B with two bedrooms. Every night we started together and she would take the second when I started kicking. But I slept through the night on this drug cocktail. 5 to 9 miles of walking every day also helped.

Now back to retirement. My goal is to get off one of these medications and a take long walk every evening before bed.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:17 pm
by ViewsAskew
:clap: :thumbup:

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 10:36 pm
by Polar Bear
Delighted to hear that all worked out so well for you.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 8:32 am
by debbluebird
I'm always trying to figure out the best times for my meds.
I recently increased my Methadone so I could wean off Gabapentin. I'm sleepy during the day and tonight I'm wide awake after an adjustment today. I needed more coverage at night, but this didn't work.
Back to square one.
Good luck to you.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 12:38 pm
by Stainless
Along the lines rotating meds I had an incredibly hard time getting my prescriptions filled in time for vacation. I would have run out of both clonazepam and Lyrica over two weeks. CVS (our pharmacy) at first told them I could get them on Thursday and filled the clonazepam. Because insurance covered a large part of the Lyrica I had to call them and beg to get it filled. They gave me a once a year exemption to fill Friday and said they called CVS. CVS said they would not fill until Monday when I was leaving. When I showed up Monday the acted like they had no record but ended up filling hours before my international flight. I asked both CVS and my insurance how to sync the meds so I could plan my vacations around that and neither knew how. Treated like a criminal because of the meds I take and talking about issues like I was the only human who had run into this. I can't imagine rotating controlled and insured meds. What a world.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 5:51 pm
by Polar Bear
Our NHS system here in UK, and specifically my medical practice allows us to order and collect our prescriptions a few days early on a regular basis. If going on holiday I've asked in advance and got my prescriptions issued a week in advance.

I can only imagine the terror and anxiety to wonder if your meds would be issued in time. It would be difficult to be carefree and look forward to a holiday if this issue was lurking and worrying away in a little corner of your mind. Especially if the pharmacy isn't as efficient as it could be.

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 8:37 pm
by debbluebird
I had my Doctor write for a few extra pills, a larger amount for one month. Then I always have a stash. Also when I am gone without my husband, he can always pick them up and mail them to me. ( When I house sit for my Daughter)

Re: Rotating Meds

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 9:25 pm
by ViewsAskew
This whole thing is crazy-making and just insane. I DO get that a small percentage of people would abuse it...but why are the vast majority of us punished for that?????