Posted by sydney on March 28, 2003, at 11:33:35
In reply to Re: Restless Leg Syndrome Relief, posted by Willow on March 28, 2003, at 7:48:34
"Compared to placebo, gabapentin was associated with reduced symptoms on all rating scales. In addition, sleep studies showed a significantly reduced periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) index and improved sleep architecture (increased total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and slow wave sleep, and decreased stage 1 sleep). Patients whose symptoms included pain benefited most from gabapentin. The mean effective dosage at the end of the 6-week treatment period was 1,855 mg, although therapeutic effects were already observed at the end of week 4 (1,391 mg)."
Neurology 2002 Nov 26;59(10):1573-9
Given the controversy around the effectiveness of Neurontin/Gabapentin, I think it is important to note that the above results were from a double-blind, cross-over study.Another study abstract is found at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11706121&dopt=Abstract
There the authors conclude that "gabapentin provides a well-tolerated and effective treatment of idiopathic RLS."
Neurology 2001 Nov 13;57(9):1717-9
So...if the usual treatments (clonazepam, codeine, sleeping pills) weren't working, I would try Neurontin. I have a bit of akathasia related to risperdal, but have found Neurontin stops it cold. I note that Neurontin has zero side-effects for me but has really bothered others.
poster:sydney
thread:212304
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030325/msgs/213761.html