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@Louisa 

Last reply

Louisa

Pregabalin - good or bad

Hi, I have secondary progressive MS. I have stiffness in my legs and feet and also pain in my legs and feet. I have tried Baclofen and Gabapentin but had issues with both of these when I started increasing the dose. My MS nurse has now suggested pregabalin and I am taking 2 x 75mg tablets a day. I feel dreadful - extremely tired and my balance (which isn't good anyway) is much worse. My GP advised me to give my body 2 weeks to adjust to the drug. I've been on it for just over a week now and if anything I feel worse. Does anyone have any advise? Thank you..!
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@Stumbler
@Stumbler
 

Hi @louisa , OK, you've been on Gabapentin for neuropathic pain and Baclofen for spasticity. And, now you've switched the Gabapentin for Pregabalin. Gabapentin is the first line medication for neuropathic pain - it's cheaper than Pregabalin! But, some reckon that Pregabalin is the better drug. Yes, hang in there with the Pregabalin. Your body is getting used to this drug and a couple of weeks is normally required. That should make the drowsiness better. As for the balance issues, Baclofen is a double-edged sword. It is a muscle-relaxant, which addresses the spasticity, but relaxed muscles are just not good for balance. It's a case of finding the dose which gives you a good balance of relieving the spasticity, without adversely affecting your balance. So, stick with the Pregabalin and have a word with your MS Nurse about the possibility of reducing the Baclofen. Hope this helps.

@Louisa
@Louisa
 

Hi. Thanks for getting back to me. I'm not taking baclofen at the moment but think I need some thing for the spacticity. I'll maybe stick with the pregabalin for now but it does make me nervous that I might fall to be honest..! Cheers