Mental Health Started pregabalin for RLS (not withdrawal caused) - any tips?

[jimdron]

I had mild - average severity RLS since childhood, never took anything for that or maybe that weed and alcohol sometimes was for this . Also started running like crazy, don't feel anything if legs are dead tired.

Started pregabalin 150 mg per day, could increase to 600 max. First effects are very good, body more relaxed, less tension in legs and everywhere. But maybe in 4 hours it's gone or going down fast?

I don't have any particular questions. Anybody treating this issue with this drug, would be very interesting to hear from.

It's a new class of drugs for me. Tried reading on it, but still don't quite understand how it works.

 

[modocmodoc]

It was responsible for the discovery of a new calcium channel.

It is a calcium channel blocker at the alpha-2-delta adrenergic receptor.

Everything else is pretty much unknown but the going theory is that it decreases CNS glutamate levels, causing a GABA increase because of the dehydroxylase action of glut-gaba (push-pull)

I will warn you that it is dependence inducing, and the tolerance develops hella fast. Sudden cessation = withdrawal syndrome that lasts about 7-10 days and is very, very unpleasant for most people.

 

[jimdron]

Thanks!

It does work somewhat weirdly. It decreases nerve pain, which I think, I did not realize I had. Or didn't realize that what I felt was a problem. My body definitely feels better and not in a cloudy way I felt on codein, but much more "normal", I guess.

But even better is effect on anxiety, wow. It definitely decreased my anxiety. First, I had a feeling this 150 mg of pregabalin is making me drunk in worry-free way, but then I calmed down and I feel both much less worried about anything, less inhibited in things I do (like posting here), but even more importantly, I remain non-sedated, much more emotional (meaning emotions are not just gone like on Xanax).

As for tolerance, maybe I already has one, since first day was definitely better than today (3rd). But more likely, it's just placebo effect (anticipation) diminishing. I plan to ask for increase to 300 and take it each day. I will increase to 600 max if needed. My goal is purely medicinal effect of taking away my anxiety and body tension, nerve pain, RLS. I will probably will be abusing this script sometimes, but from what I read it's more of a substitution, helper, augmenter, amplifier to opioids than recreational drug on its' own. And additionally, people's motor functions are very much impaired at high doses, which is not attractive to me.

 

[modocmodoc]

I find it effective for RLS and neuropathy, and anxiety as well. Good drug if taken properly, which can be hard sometimes. Try really hard not to abuse it. I would rank the withdrawal from high doses ~4th after Benzos, Alcohol, Opiates

Thanks!

It does work somewhat weirdly. It decreases nerve pain, which I think, I did not realize I had. Or didn't realize that what I felt was a problem. My body definitely feels better and not in a cloudy way I felt on codein, but much more "normal", I guess.

But even better is effect on anxiety, wow. It definitely decreased my anxiety. First, I had a feeling this 150 mg of pregabalin is making me drunk in worry-free way, but then I calmed down and I feel both much less worried about anything, less inhibited in things I do (like posting here), but even more importantly, I remain non-sedated, much more emotional (meaning emotions are not just gone like on Xanax).

As for tolerance, maybe I already has one, since first day was definitely better than today (3rd). But more likely, it's just placebo effect (anticipation) diminishing. I plan to ask for increase to 300 and take it each day. I will increase to 600 max if needed. My goal is purely medicinal effect of taking away my anxiety and body tension, nerve pain, RLS. I will probably will be abusing this script sometimes, but from what I read it's more of a substitution, helper, augmenter, amplifier to opioids than recreational drug on its' own. And additionally, people's motor functions are very much impaired at high doses, which is not attractive to me.

 

[RedRum OG]

Heavy squats and heavy deadlifts are the cure, I dont care if you're 65 years old

I started squatting when I had a back injury so bad I needed help to roll over in bed. Fixed more than I ever expected it to, RLS included

 

[jimdron]

Heavy squats and heavy deadlifts are the cure, I dont care if you're 65 years old

I started squatting when I had a back injury so bad I needed help to roll over in bed. Fixed more than I ever expected it to, RLS included

I run 60-70 miles per week at around 7 minutes per mile, so I push plenty of work on these legs of mine. But, you know, there comes a time when one should come back from war and have some rest