Gabapentin

I also took gabapentin after surgery as well, and I dont think it’s the gabapentin.

When you have surgery, lots of things need to heal, like nerves , inflammation, etc.  The lack of energy is probably telling your body to slow down. Are you taking pills or the liquid suspension?

My op was March 23 not on any medication. If I am having a rough night take 2 paracetamol and 1 tramadol. Not so tired now can actually stay up till 10 whereas previously it was 8 so improving.

Never a big fan of Gabapentin (Neurontin) or Lyrica.  Weight gain, fatigue and more plus very little pain relief.  I stay away from the,  there's also this if you're on Gaba plus an opioid...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nerve-pain-gabapentin-warning-648196

Not a good idea.  Have you tried topicals like Voltaren Gel (RX in the US), OTC BioFreeze, OTC Aspercream wit 4% Lidocaine or OTC Lidocaine patches?

Hi Lynda.   I was in terrible pain and couldnt sleep having baths 3 oclock in the morning walking around the house i tried everything and eventually they took me back into hospital as i couldnt manage the pain i had injections to ease my pain and i am not a baby but jesus i was in terrible pain when the  ambulance came they put me straight on gas and air and the pain subsided but as soon as they took it off me the pain returned immediately, they put me on gabapenten along with shortec and thats the only way i coped your right it does take your energy away but its only temperary and i am now weaning myself off and my energy is returning, we are all different and i know it helped me but not might be the same for others but i was glad i could cope as it was driving my wife mad seeing me in pain, i did try other meds but nothing worked until i went on gabapenten, i for one wouldn't have swapped my pain for tiredness, but we are all different and i hope your energy levels come back, its funny because some people get away with haveing little pain yet others have horendous pain, very strange, i still have pain but manageable which eventually will go altogether well that's what my surgeon keeps telling me, take care max

Had knee surgery replacement last Feb. Surgery went bad allergic to the metal.

Have been on gabapentin for several years.

Now have found the using two aleve and one Excedrin for migraine does the trick no more gabapentin feel like a different person. Had restless legs at night and they are gone as well.

No more prescription pain drugs or gabapentin.

Hope it works for you.

Hi Lynda my TKR was 16/02/2018 and even though I feel I’m on the mend and doing really well some days I’m exhausted and have to force myself to get going exercising, walking the dog etc

i think it’s the fact you have had a huge op and people don’t treat it as serious as it is

i really hope you feel better soon 

When I had the surgery in Jan 2018 I was on Gabapentin for another nerve issue I was having.  Shortly after Chico Marx posted the article about Gabapentin the first time around March/April of this year,  I decided to stop taking the Gabapentin.  But didn't see a change in my energy (or weight) but I also didn't see any increase in pain.  I am 19 weeks post op and am now just seeing my energy return.  

Hi Linda,

Ive been taking Gabapentin for around 10yrs, along with a lot of other drugs.  I have “post thrombotic syndrome”   Stemming from a huge dvt I had In my groin 27 yrs ago.  It caused all sorts of problems in my left leg over the years.  I started experiencing very bad burning sensation in my foot at night.  It kept me awake most nights.  Specialist likened it to an amputee, that still has pain in the missing leg, and it’s all down to nervous system.  I was prescribed Gabapentin ( Lyrica) and it fixed it.  I’d like to blame the drug for my weight gain, lethargy and endless other ailments but I wouldn’t be without it.  

ALL drugs are bad for us, commonsense tells us that.  Combining drugs can be a really stupid thing if you’re after a “ high”  like the research says, but in my opinion, if prescribed by an expert and taken as prescribed, I don’t see the problem.   Addiction is always a worry.  I’m addicted to shopping online and chocolate but it’s my choice 😆 

the tiredness you’re feeling is very common after tkr surgery.  A lot has been written about it.  I wouldn’t think it was the  Gabapentin though.   You must do what you think so best and whatever helps.  Good luck with everything.

Sue x

I was also on gabapentin a month before surgery during my stay in hospital and about a month after surgery too the tiredness also can make you sleepy I found it really helped with my recovery not only for the nerve pain but also for sleeping as I used to find sleeping really hard with pain I'm now almost fully recovered still doing my physio at home but I'm walking fully unaided now i had surgery 8 months ago good luck to you all!!

Gabapentin will definitely make you sleepy. You've been taking it for a while now so I would ask your doctor if you can stop it. I tapered down after the first month where I was only taking it at night because that's when the pain was worse. Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery. I'm 9 months post op and still in recovery mode. It's a tough surgery.

Hi Lynda

I am on Gabapentin for damaged nerve endings , was on this prior to opp. Never experienced problems .

I was tired prior to opp , and just thought it was my work hours ,result was i was low in Iron and needed transfusion prior to opp. Have you had iron levels checked?

Linda

Everyone reacts to medications differently. The TKR alone causes fatigue. I had mine in April. I have also been on Gabapentin for over a year for my back. They doubled it just before surgery. I am more fatigued from lack of sleep. Sometimes it takes your body time to get used to. Hope it works out for you.