new to gabapentin

[Eternityroad]

I had an appointment with a neurologist today. Though not a specialist in RLS he was knowledgable about the medications. Also he was not judgemental about Kratom. He asked me a lot of questions about my experience with Kratom. He has prescribed gabapentin. I have heard of this medication but know nothing about pros, cons, and side-effects. He assured me that I would not have a problem with augmentation. (Yes he knew about augmentation) So tell me about gabapentin? Are there any post-it's with the general info?

Thanks,

Ken

[Eternityroad]

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[Rustsmith]

Gabapentin is a very old med that has been used to treat all manner of neurological conditions over the years. I think of it as aspirin for the neurologist. It's two drawbacks are that dosing can be inconsistent due to issues with adsorption into the bloodstream. Sometimes you get most of it, other times very little. But this issue varies from person-to-person. The second limitation is that it only helps the movement urges for about 65% with RLS (I am part of the 35% group). For those of us in the other 35%, it is one of the most effective sedatives for those of us with RLS.

And because it is generic, it is very inexpensive, especially when compared to Horizant and Lyrica.

[Eternityroad]

Thank you, Steve,
Right now I am paying $33/month for kratom and $18 for hydrocodone which I use only 1 tab a day. The Gabapentin is $8 so I am hoping it works out. I am amazed how much any treatment varies from person-to-person.

Ken

[Frunobulax]

There are plenty of old threads about gabapentin, have you checked them out?
search.php?keywords=gabapentin&terms=al ... mit=Search

For me it didn't anything except side effects (vertigo, dizzyness, "restless arms" - yes, the symptoms shifted into my arms with gabapentin), and I think I was at a pretty high dose (1800mg/d). I didn't take it long enough to observe the most prevalent side effect (according to my neurologist), weight gain.

[Eternityroad]

Frun,
My neurologist did warn of weight gain as well. I am giving it a go for one month and then l have another appointment to decide if i go forward. I am on the 2nd day of 900mg/day and no side effects. Thanks for your imput.

Ken

[LizzieGee]

I started 300 ML oh gababentin today and about 5 hours after dose my face started to turn red
I take it this is an allergic reaction
Frustrated as I hoped it would help

Will call my neurologist tomorrow and see what else to use

[Eternityroad]

Lizziegee,
No side effects here, but after three weeks I am not seeing an improvment. I still have use Kratom as well.

Ken

[debbluebird]

I've taken gabapentin for many years. With the weight gain, it's gradually. My advise is to just watch what you eat. I take 1800 mg daily. It helps me. In fact I started out taking it 3 times a day, 600 mg each dose. My pain Doctor started having me take it all in the evening. 7:30 pm. I had stopped methadone and got a spinal stimulator. The we added buprenorphine later. I take .5 mg of buprenorphine at 2:30 pm, to prevent insomnia. I also get injections in my back. Everything helps. My RLS is caused by my severe osteoarthritis, pinched nerves. The buprenorphine works even better than methadone. Oxycodone didn't work for me.
Good luck

[sarahpatto]

I am back on Gabepentin after giving it a half-hearted try last year. I think that I am hyper sensitive to taking medication (at least in my head!) When I have a night that is less bad than the one before I tell myself that the 200 mg of Gabepentin that I took was helping and maybe I should just stay at that dose. When I have a terrible night I think that I should push ahead and get up to the 1000s to see if I can find a regime that works for a long period of time. I hate sleeping late and the Gabepentin, even at the low dose that I'm taking, seems to make it impossible for me to get up and get going in the morning. It sounds like what those of you more knowledgeable about the studies are saying is that 100-300 mg of Gabepentin couldn't possibly be affecting my RLS one way or the other?

[Polar Bear]

No matter what medication we are taking for RLS I feel that there are always nights (and days) that are not so good. From my own experience I feel there is always breakthrough to be expected. Gabapentin at 200mg is not a high dose. Is Gabapentin your only medication for rls.

[debbluebird]

I've been taking it for years, 1800 mg. It helps me. Not the all cure all. I take buprenorphine too.
Good luck