Mirapex to gabapentin

[ViewsAskew]

Quite a few of us have said that it's not consistent - our bodies seem to get used to it and you need more over time.

[Rustsmith]

I think that it is important to keep in mind that it is difficult to get consistent levels of gabapentin adsorption into the body. It is only adsorbed by a short section of the small intestine and even in that section there are things that can interfere with it. Adsorption rates also varies person to person. That is why you an reach a certain point where taking higher doses of this drug is of no benefit. Depending upon other situations, it is also conceivable that you might see a drop off in adsorption with time as eating schedules, fluids that are drunk, etc may change the transit through the intestinal track.

[jnadrig]

I switched to Gabapentin from Mirapex over one year ago, very successfully. It has to be done very carefully. At the time I was taking 3-4 mirapex nightly. I cut back to 2-3 for a week, then 1-2 plus two Gabapentin (300 mg) for a week. Then only two Gabapentin. Many months later, one Gabapentin only. The original conversion took about a month and sometimes I had to go back to the previous week dosage. Patience, patience. Now I rarely take two Gabapentin, usually only if I am extremely tired and uncomfortable to begin with. Also I usually take two Gabapentin one hour before any flights and keep one on hand during the flight. For the most part, I never have any symptoms. What a change from my Mirapex days of having RLS on my way home from work (5 PM), a 15 minute drive, or sometimes during a meeting at work! I did the conversion with the help of a knowledgable neurologist at Mass General Hospital who was available to me just about 24/7 through Patient Gateway. Let me know if you need his name and I'll send it to you privately. He's great.

[Kupkee]

I've been to a sleep specialist now. They are alternating one week mirapex with one week codeine 60 mg. codeine doesn't seem to do much but he week of mirapex is great only using .25 compared to 2 to sometimes 3 mg before. I'm trying gabapentin for a couple nights. Last night an early evening 1200 plus a before bed of 1200 I still had a rough night. Could bd the transition of mirapex. Tonight I tool 1800 and I'm heading to bed. See how we do

[ViewsAskew]

I know it's not conventional, but I really like the idea of altering. It could be that codeine just isn't strong enough, but that a moderate opioid or something like tramadol would work.

Not sure that alternating gabapentin would work all that well - you usually have to start low and increase slowly. Seems that you'd always have some rough days starting out. But, if you want to try it to stick with it, it could work well.

[Kupkee]

Ended up taking 3 codeine and had a good night sleep. Not sure what they will allow me for doseage. Worried they might be upset with me upping it on my own. Can't see her til march 15 I'll run out by then

[Polar Bear]

By 3 codeine, is that 90mg total.

[Kupkee]

Took 90 mg of codeine. Slept good. Called doctor office but she won't change my script to make it higher. She said she would reassess in march on my next appointment

[ViewsAskew]

Took 90 mg of codeine. Slept good. Called doctor office but she won't change my script to make it higher. She said she would reassess in march on my next appointment

They are SO concerned about addiction (not an issue for the vast majority of us) and the backlash against opioids. I'd not want to be a doctor prescribing them in this climate, I suppose. But, they work so well for so many of us.

I hope you find something else to help until you see the doc....and that she ultimately comes around.

[Kupkee]

So I decided since I have a script for gaba I'd give it another whirl. I'm taking 2100 a day now and it seems to work most nights. Although I still have some nights. I'd still prefer the 1 week prami followed by one week of a decent narcotic. I know 75 mg codeine works but so far only allowed 60. Hopefully my March 16 appointment will yield something better. Am I reaching to think I can have relief every night

[Kupkee]

So I decided since I have a script for gaba I'd give it another whirl. I'm taking 2100 a day now and it seems to work most nights. Although I still have some nights. I'd still prefer the 1 week prami followed by one week of a decent narcotic. I know 75 mg codeine works but so far only allowed 60. Hopefully my March 16 appointment will yield something better. Am I reaching to think I can have relief every night

[ViewsAskew]

So I decided since I have a script for gaba I'd give it another whirl. I'm taking 2100 a day now and it seems to work most nights. Although I still have some nights. I'd still prefer the 1 week prami followed by one week of a decent narcotic. I know 75 mg codeine works but so far only allowed 60. Hopefully my March 16 appointment will yield something better. Am I reaching to think I can have relief every night

I don't think you're reaching....but as someone who definitely has had relief every night at times, I've had trade-offs during those times that made it a bit bittersweet.

With methadone, I had the occasional time (hormones, forgot to take, who knows what) where I didn't have control - along with side effects that I didn't want all that much. But the majority of nights I did have complete control (I'd often allow some symptoms during the day in order to have complete control at night). I had complete control with pramipexole, but augmentation and side effects were awful - then I didn't have complete control anymore!

Sometimes I feel like I need to be careful what I ask for!

[badnights]

Am I reaching to think I can have relief every night

Well, my instant response was "yes, a bit" but Ann's is much more accurate: there are often trade-offs that make the relief bittersweet. I'm happy if I have relief most nights. But people with a different physiology than mine might indeed be able to achieve relief every night. Why not?

[Kupkee]

So my doctor decided to try lyrica. I've been taking 150 a night and it seems to work most nights. I seem to sleep longer although some nights I take awhile to get to sleep. I have some room to go to a higher dose as 300 mg was the study dose but I prefer to try lower as long as possible. I feel calmer on this which is a bonus. I tend to get anxious a bit so either a little better sleep or a side effect I like

[ViewsAskew]

Very good news.