I was just started on this yesterday evening first dose 50/200 ER they are weaning me off gabapentin,1 capsule reduction per week, thus the change in medication for my severe restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder; I took it at 10:45 pm, I never felt sleepy and ended up not going to bed until almost 2 am. Is this normal? I have messaged my neurologist
Carbidopa/Levodopa sleep issues.
Question posted by SandraLHoutz on 9 May 2023
Last updated on 13 May 2023
Answers
mjmegduffy
10 May 2023
I'm up every night at 3am. It's like an alarm goes off. I can usually doze off around 4:30am and then have to get up at 5:45am. It's so frustrating. I am corresponding with my Dr, trying to find another way to take Carbidopa/Levodopa. I had taken ropinirole 4mg for years and it stopped working for me.
masso
10 May 2023
Insomnia is considered a very common side effect of this medication, it affects 10% or more of patients being treated with this combination medication.
Very common to common side effects tend to subside within a week to 10 days tops in most patients if the insomnia does not go away within the time frame I have informed you and become bothersome do contact your Dr., which you already have.
SandraLHoutz
10 May 2023
Thank you so very much for verifying it
SandraLHoutz
10 May 2023
I took it now at 9:30 pm eastern time, hoping taking it earlier maybe I'll beat the insomnia... won't know if it will work until later... so frustrating!!
masso
10 May 2023
You are welcome, hope you get a good night's rest.
SandraLHoutz
11 May 2023
I did, but, I did take a half tab at 12:15 am and slept well!!
masso
11 May 2023
That is good, do let your DR. know you reduced the dose.
SandraLHoutz
12 May 2023
Another night of no sleep until 4:30 am, I'm to stop the weandown of the gabapentin temporarily... this is so frustrating!! I've made my neurologist aware, she said that it should be a temporary problem, and she said that it was unusual as most people get sleepy...
masso
12 May 2023
I understand your frustration, I suffer from insomnia, for a long time.
If your Neurologists says most people become sleepy, well, everyone reacts differently to medications, benefits, risks, possible side effects, potential interactions and in general everything life throws at one.
Be patient, I believe it is just a matter of time and you´ll be ok, do not lose your faith and be strong.
SandraLHoutz
12 May 2023
I'm hanging on by a thread
SandraLHoutz
12 May 2023
I have not reduced
masso
12 May 2023
Hang in there Sandra!!!
SandraLHoutz
13 May 2023
Last night was better, fingers crossed!
masso
13 May 2023
That's good news!
Related topics
restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, carbidopa/levodopa, gabapentin, sleep, dosage
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