Neurontin for PLMD: Thoughts?

[Swordz]

After struggling to find the reason for my still present fatigue, my Dr. is wanting me to try neurontin for mild PLMD. From my PSG last October, I had ~25 movements/hr, but none that lead to major arrousals. My Dr. spoke with me about how the electrodes placed on your scalp can only measure electric disturbances so close to them, and that PLMD's can cause happenings deeper in the brain not caught by the sensors.

I am currently undergoing PT for mild scoliosis with a curve of 22%. I found my curve has gotten worse over the last few yrs, but i haven't noticed that my sleep is any better on nights that my back pain is less severe.

Does anyone have comments, opinions, success stories with neurontin? I'm assuming that neurontin is like other medications in that it might not work for everyone, and that PLMD treatment is completely subjective.

[oceanpearl]

A few years ago I was put on Neurontin after an accident and I couldn't tolerate it. It was like I was walking around in a daze all day.

[darthlucy]

Neurontin is primarily a seizure medication, but is commonly prescribed for PLMD. It is also available in a generic, which makes it a less costly alternative to Requip.

[sleepngo]

I take Neurontin for back and neck pain, twice a day and it works fine. I don't experience any adverse side effects, such as the one related to high doses, short term memory lose. Other than short term memory lose, it is relatively save to take. I found I sleep better at night when I take my Neurontin about two hours before bedtime and if you take it at breakfast time and stay active the rest of the day, you usually don't experience any drowsiness, at least that is the way it effects me, may be different for others and it may depend on how high a dose a person takes. I take a low dose compared to others. Hope this helps.

Dan

[mommaw]

Swordz,
I have been on Neurontin for over 2 yrs for PLMD and RLS and it has worked wonders for my restless legs during the day. I recently had another PSG and it showed that my PLMD was better but not yet under control. I was on a dosage of 300 mg once a day, 2 hrs before bedtime, so the dr increased my dosage to 600mg at bedtime. I could not tolerate that big of an increase so I am now taking 400 mg at night. I don't know if it has helped my PLMD much without another PSG BUT I do know that I have more energy in the mornings and am actually waking up earlier and more refreshed.

The reason I say I could not tolerate the 600mg is that I felt hung over and dazed all day. I do know that the Neurontin takes about 8 hrs to leave your system and that it peaks in 4 hrs. (according to my dr).

As stated by others some people cannot take it, my husband being one. For me it has been a great help and never want to be without it. Especially for the RLS.

Hope this helps,
Gilda

[Snoredog]

I would give the NEURONTIN a try, what have you got to lose?


you should also try an OTC PepcidComplete (berry flavored ones are pretty good) right before bed for a few nights to see if that helps any.

There was a lecture the other day posted here by rooster (3ea x 20 minute lectures) on GERD and sleep and it suggested that there may be a link between refluxing events and spontaneous arousals seen on a PSG.

While muscle-skeletal pains (and medications) are thought to contribute to spontaneous arousals those are only theories same for the refluxing. When faced with daily fatigue, you have to keep an open mind and try everything.

[kteague]

Hi Cory. Good to hear from you again, but sorry to hear you're still dealing with sleepiness.

I was on Neurontin for several years for nerve pain from bulging disks in my neck. I couldn't tolerate a very high dose, so I took I think 300 mg 3x a day. I ended up going off of it because one side effect can be grogginess, and I was trying to help my sleepiness enough to continue working. My sleepiness did not improve after going off it, so maybe it wasn't the culprit. But the whole time I was on it I struggled with RLS and PLMD, so I'd have to say at that dose it did not work for me. Maybe a higher dose would have. Also, my other meds for the movements that seemed to make me worse instead of better may have prevented the Neurontin from helping in my case.

I look at it this way, if you go on it and it doesn't work for you, at least you will have tried one more option to help yourself.

Since your leg movements seemingly aren't too severe, have you tried the Ivory soap in your bed? I used 4 bars at once. I know it sounds crazy, I'm just saying that after putting the soap in my bed my wakeups were less frequent and my legs didn't feel so restless when I awakened. Maybe was an incidental correlation, but I had to try. Wasn't a cure, but it took the edge off.

Hope you find some relief however you can. Take care, Cory.

Kathy