Hi gang, been a while and I’m hoping all are doing ok?
I’ve actually had a few problems, both in physical and mental health.
Over a year ago I had to come off Amitriptyline because of a minor heart problem (which has now resolved itself). I’ve had a really tough time since, with MS symptoms and bad insomnia, sometimes sleeping only 2 hours a night.
Thankfully, MS consultant has now prescribed Gabapentin. I’m on lowest dose (only started 3 weeks on Wednesday), of 300 mg x 3 times a day.
My sleeping is much better… going to sleep as soon as I lie down and sleeping for about 6 hours (sometimes 5).
Wondering if I should ask GP… having an assessment next week… if I should ask to increase the night-time dose to sleep a bit longer… although don’t get me wrong… sleeping 6 hours is heaven after so long of not sleeping!
Also I’m still feeling a bit spaced out during the day. Should I lower the daytime dose, or will it settle down?
Hi, I really think it comes down to how well you tolerate the Gabapentin and the trade off between sleeping better and reduced pain vs being spaced out.
I take a higher dose at night to help with pain and sleep and a lower dose during the day because it spaces me out too much at a higher one.
You could ask the GP if you can experiment for a month or two and see how you feel. If it doesn’t work you can always revert back to original dose.
Sorry to hear your Ms been playing up but hopefully the gabapentin will help you.
I was on it a while ago on a low dose but couldn’t shake off the spaced out feeling during the day, so gp switched it to pregablin, which I can only tolerate at a low dose as well. I don’t seem to be able to tolerate much of any medication, but I think that’s just me, I really hope you find it helpful.
I would ask your gp if you can try switching the dose to find what suits you best.
Hi Pat
It’s nice to see old faces. I stopped checking the forum as it seemed nobody posted and then it just vanished from my routine. I hope you’re all okay.
I’m on a high dose of Gabapentin:1200mg, 900mg, 1200mg. I started out on a low dose like you and also felt spaced out, it does get better, your body tolerates it with time, or mine did anyway. It can be weeks , patience is needed. And it definitely makes a difference to pain levels.
Even on the dose I’m on I’m clear headed (apart from when brain fog hits) , I drive and lead a normal - for ms, life.
Take care
Cath x
I have stuck with it and tolerating it much better although still on low dose. 300 mg morning and early afternoon and 600 mg at bedtime. I don’t actually get much pain… only intermittent… but lots of buzzing etc. I really needed something to help me sleep as had dreadful insomnia and Gabapentin has worked like magic. 7 or 8 hours straight through. It’s also helped my depression and anxiety… so overall I’m very happy with it and now clear headed as well.
So great to hear from you. Same here regarding forum, it just dropped off my routine. I’m now a carer for my mum who has Alzheimer’s so I basically am up to my eyes!
Take care and thanks,
Love Pat
Hi again Pat
I’m so sorry to hear about your mum. Alzheimers is not easy to cope with, especially for those closest to the sufferer. That alone can cause sleeplessness.
I’m glad you’re tolerating the Gabapentin, one caution, I think it’s the main cause of my weight gain. I’ve heard quite a few people experience this.
Im trying to get my head around the new layout etc of the forum but seeing posts from a few of the old faces is lovely. You all really helped me cope with my early days.
Took a while Rosewood. I felt very ‘out of it’ at first. But I was desperate and stuck to it and started to feel better after a few weeks. I now notice it’s calming effect but I don’t feel spaced out. The 600 mg at night give me a really good night’s sleep (I take 300 mg morning and early afternoon). So it’s worth sticking with it even though it makes you so spaced out at first.
Pat xx
