Hi,
I'm 61 and have managed my PLMD for decades with diet. It's getting worse and also have RLS now. It comes and goes and I am not sure why.
Can I take Gabapentin on an as needed basis or does it take time to work? Right now, if it starts acting up, I can take old codeine cough medicine and it works. However, my doctor wants to try Gabapentin. Thanks
Gabapentin is not recommended for intermittent RLS /PLMD. Depending on how often you need it, low dose opioids or benzodiazepines might be a better choice. Intermittent RLS is typically episode occurring no more than two or three times per week.
As Amrob said gabapentin is not a medicine you take as you need it.
Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? This is the first thing your doctor should have done. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin that has iron in it 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and 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 transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.
Also look at the following and see any will help or if you can stop those that don't.
Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise.
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. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.
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.
A low dose of codeine is probably the best answer if the above doesn't work or at least until it does as you found out with your cough syrup.
Eventually you will need gabapentin. My RLS was intermittent for several years until it became every night.
PLMD by the way is treated the same way as RLS so if you are having that every night and it is a problem then gabapentin is what you want. 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. If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and don't take calcium within 2 hours for the same reason.
I swear by it it changed my life I was to a point where I couldn't walk because of my neuropathy and I don't take opioids so I highly think it's been the best medicine I've ever taken best of luck to you🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️🙋🏼♀️
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