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Gabapentin

Posted , 9 users are following.

debra1676
debra1676

My doctor wants me to take Gabapentin for some disc fragments giving me pain in my back. I'm worried because the side effects say that the side effects are depression or suicidal thoughts. Has anyone ever had these type of side effects or problems in general with this drug? Did it help them with their back pain!

 

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • william65598
    william65598 debra1676

    Posted

    Debra, as I said, have had sucess taking Gaberpentin for the last five months. Only side effect I have felt is some dizziness, if I get up too quickly. Dizziness is listed as one of the side effects.
  • Jayive
    Jayive debra1676

    Posted

    Hi,

    As I've said in previous posts, I've been taking gabapentin for over a year, in quite high doses to control long term pain. They take a while before you feel the full effect and you need to increase the dose slowly until you reach the maximum advantage.

    My only real side effect, apart from the getting used to symptoms, has been that I have put on weight.

    I guess we read too much into the possible side effects and my only thought is that, if taking gabapentin can help your pain, you have a lot of living to do.

    • debra1676
      debra1676 Jayive

      Posted

      I started out hurting my back, chipping the discs, with a great deal of pain. Now my arm on the same side is very sore & has pain when I lift it up. Is it possible for the pain to go up the nerve, as well as down? I can't believe how long this process is taking. How long does it take to recover from disc fragments in your back, or do you ever recover? Currently I am only taking Oxycodone for the pain. 
  • tino007
    tino007 debra1676

    Posted

    Hi Debra

    I'm taking Gabapentin 3x300mg daily, only side effect for me is a little drowsy but it lessens with time.

    Weight not an issue for me. No bad thoughts but I'm also on amitrytiline for pain, its also used as an anti depressant but in much higher doses than I'm on which is 10-30mg daily taken at night. 

    You may be a little spaced out to start with so depending on your job you may need to take this into account.

    Good luck

  • plushly
    plushly debra1676

    Posted

    These are "possible" side effects that manufacturers are obligated to advise users of to be aware of. It is no reason the be unduly alarmed; most drugs that work on brain chemistry also have similar warnings.

    Depression and suicidal thoughts are also possible side effects of chronic pain, if that puts things in perspective. If the pain is bad enough, you educate yourself of the potential risks and try it. If it helps; great. If it too adversely affects you, discuss it with your doctor and perhaps try something else.

     

  • MargaretAnn14
    MargaretAnn14 debra1676

    Posted

    I have only taken small dose 1 x 300 mg 3 times a day. I think the side effects are from the pain not the drug.

    Back pain is depressing in itself. At least if you can get somewhere close to, or completely pain free with gabapentin, surely it must be a happier place to be?

    The only side effects I get...reduced pain and a tingly feeling in my mouth for a little while, like when you have an injection at the dentist. But it is worth it just to get the pain reduced to a bearable level. 

    Not all drugs suit everyone but there are some very useful and interesting blogs on this site.  

    Wish you all the best.

    Margaret x

  • ThomasBell89
    ThomasBell89 debra1676

    Posted

    I have been taking this drug for at least 12 years.  It doesn't make me depressed but if I don't take it the subsequent pain makes me very depressed.  I find it a marvellous drug for spinal nerve damage pain.  But everyone is different, I have never felt dizzy or dopey.  It needs to be taken consistently as the rewards build up unlike Codiene and similar 'ordinary' pain tablets which aren't much good for nerve damage but act quickly on other sorts of pain.  Good Luck.
  • duracell_dave
    duracell_dave debra1676

    Posted

    Hi Debra, I have been on up to 3600mg of gabapentin for 15 years and can honestly say it made my life better,I have a dodgy back and chronic nerve pain in both legs,I take 400mg of tramadol and now 2400mg of gabapentin I am weaning myself off the tramadol as it messes you up a bit,but gabapentin for me is a life saver,side affects gradually you get used to so it's up to you,for me a 100 % improvement,you can only decide,but be warned they usually start you off on small amounts and rapidly increase.sorry to hear about your pain, I hope you find relief soon,oh and a big side affect is talking to much as you can see,my wife thinks it's funny,I just warn people, lol 😀
  • william65598
    william65598 debra1676

    Posted

    Debra, be wearey of someone who does not have a medical license telling you to take or not to take Gaberpentin. aWhat might work for me may not work for you, what may work for you, may not work for me. Have been taking the med fro a year, and it has provided some releif. Had my first injection (steriod) this week, and am off the Gaberpentin for now. it will depend on how long the steriod works. Had back surgery in 2001 for herniated disc with sucess. 12 years later another disc is being compressed, hence the use of the gaberpentin. More that likely after another enjection (if ther first doesn't work) I will have to have surgery again to correct. Good luck with yours, listen to your caring physicain,....Will
    • plushly
      plushly salerno1234

      Posted

      Every drug has a list of potential side effects as long as your arm, some potentially lethal. Peanut butter is also potentially lethal in my case, but does that make it lethal for everyone?

      Fearmongering by categorically stating "Do not take Gabapentin" is doing a great disservice to many people that may potentially benefit from this medication. It is not over the counter, so anyone using it will be under a physicians care. Have you considered the risk of suicide for people suffering from acute and chronic pain? For me, gabapentin opened a world of relief previously unattainable. Everyone is different and medication is managed on a case by case basis.

      Salerno1234; I'm a bit confused. You say gabapentin causes major depression, but you then state you have been suffering depression for over 20 years. Don't you think this maybe a mitigating factor in your case? You also state your GP did not read your medical history before prescribing. Is it really the fault of gabapentin that your GP did not  consider your medical history and potential associated risks?

      I too have suffered from depression for over 30 years. That is why I take antidepressants. In my case, gabapentin has not made depression any better or any worse; not unsurprising really since I am already being treated appropriately for depression.

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