gabapentin side affects?

Hi Anne,

I hope that you find some comfort. I understand about the pain and not being able to do stuff. Although my pain is different than your, most people who have not been through an experience dealing with chronic pain just don't get it.

I recently got three shots around my knee to deaden the nerves, so far it is working on the pain I was having, although new pain has emerged in different areas. It is highly possible the new pain was always there just hidden as the pain I had kept me up most nights and I just had a hard time doing anything.

I am going back in another week for another series of shots, not sure if they will do in the same area or a new area. The shots are also experimental. I am not a fan of experimental, but I agreed this time as I need to get the pain under control to move on with healing and being able to function in life.

Best of luck, love and energy to you.

Hi,

Thank you all for getting back to me.

Jacque, it's great to get advice from people who have been going through the same experience. I find most people don't understand what it's like to live with chronic pain and lots of side affects that go along with the medication.

Plushy, thanks for that I will suggest to my doctor as I have been experimenting with loads of medication over the last four years.I have finally got a doctor who knows a lot About fibromyalgia and is willing to listen to me and what I want to try. I use amitriptyline as a muscle relaxant and to try to help me sleep so I have gradually been changing doses to see what works best.

Mary, I have got to the stage where I would love to be experimented on,lol.

I have tried all sorts so I'm just going to keep going. I figure I will eventually find what suits me best.

Take care all

Anne. Xx

I started taking Gabapentin 2 weeks ago for pains in my legs and hot flushes. Did nothing for the pains in my legs but did reduce hot flushes from 12 a day to 1 or 2 . The after effects were horrible had head pain on my scalp wanted to dig my nails in also felt very lightheaded, dizzy, memory fog felt much worse than before I took it. I wish I could find something for my leg aches (its not RLS) cannot walk my dogs very far have to turn round and go back home. Stopping Gabapentin today - Oh dread my hot flushes will be back.

Jessie27,

I heard that you have to come off gabapentin slow, all at once can have adverse effects. I hope you find something that works for you. So far, the final set of shots I believe have killed the nerve pain and now I find that new emerged pain is muscle pain, or so that is what I think. I still can't bend my leg more than 90 degrees and therefore I still cannot get my socks and shoes on very easy and if I stand for 30 minutes or more my knee starts to feel really thick and the pain worsen...so tired of pain.

Hang in there, something will work for you. Oh and I have found that estroven works great for hot flashes and I tried Amberen which worked too although the cost was pretty steep, both over the counter or mail order.

I've been on Gabapetin for the past 11 years for intense nerve pain I experience in my legs and feet following an L3 fracture to my spine caused in an auto accident. I guess I'm blessed because I've never experienced any side effects with the drug.  However, I will say that over the years it seems that the drug has been increasingly losing its effectiveness.  I started out taking 600 mgs three times a day and I'm now up to twice that much.  My doctor also started me out on Tramadol last summer because even though Gabapentin has effectively drowned out the pain over the years, my lower extremities have started exhibiting a cold sensation, even in warm weather, that not even the Gabapentin can relieve.  Plus I was concerned with the increasing dosage I've been taking of Gabapentin.  It's scary and I've been asking God "will there ever be a point where this levels off?"  

That said, I can't  even image what you all are going through with the side effects but I will say I don't think I could have lived had it not been for Gabapentin.  The pain and intense, nonstop tingling in my legs, and feet especially, are far greater than I can bear. Honestly, I'd probably would have amputated my own feet or committed suicide long before now. Gabapentin has allowed me to live somewhat of a normal life and the Tramadol has been a great aid as well. Maybe you guys should ask your physician about Tramadol; see how that works.  My doctor also prescribed 25mg of nortriptyline to take before bed. It's supposed to help ease pain so that I can sleep better because the pain is worse at night but it hasn't done anything for me. Maybe it will work for some of you.  Anyway, after having a heart to heart with my doctor he's finally sending me to a pain specialist.  I'm not expecting any miracles but if the specialist can help me reduce even 5-10% more of the pain without having to take high dosages of any drug, that would be great.  Staying busy and regular exercise has helped ease some pain.  For those that are mobile and able to work out, I highly suggest working out regularly.  Just my two cents.

It's great to find a place where people can exchange ideas to help ease debilitating pain. Doctors, for some reason, aren't always forthcoming about information to help patients and the best treatments. Best wishes everyone!

After reading everyone's blogs I do not feel so badly off. I have herniated disc between L4&5 since May.

Gabapentin was prescribed. But at first did nothing for me. Last week I could no longer tolerate the pain and went to A&E as directed by Orsett hosp as my consultant is on hols. Queens put me on oramorph until the pain had got back down to a tolerable level. I am now taking 100mg Gabapentin 3xdaily with cocodamol & ibuprophen alternated every 2 hrs. The pain comes n goes and I feel very spaced out. My mouth feels tingly like when you have an anaesthetic. Hoping to have some treatment in August to resolve the pain once and for all. 

I don't usually even take an aspirin for a headache.

Wish you all the best, sounds like I am nowhere near as bad as many of you out there.

I think its a case of trial and error with all drugs. Im seeing someone in the pain clinic soon. Fingers crossed if there not to sore.

Pregabalin works for me although ive already noticed the doses need upping . I do agree with marc. I couldn't imagine living with the feelings and hypersensitivity again before I found pregabalin and tramadol

I tried 1 gabapentin pill and had a terrible reaction I couldnt feel my legs and pain in my lower back. My Dr. said there was no side effects but what I read here,I wish he would read. I have had spinal stenosis for many years. I take diclofenac sodium, one pill a day and when I go to play slow pitch softball I take an extra pill. It is hard on the stomach for some people but its ok for me. Sure I still have pain I can't walk too far but I'm getting by. On the ball diamonds I fell great. I'm 86. 

 

Hi I have nerve pain in my legs arms and shoulders and was given amatriptelen to take at bed time to help me sleep and it did work and I went out like a light, that was before I had pain in my upper arms as I kept taking the pill every night my pain got worse in the day time it wasn't untill I went to the podietry clinic about my feet and she asked me how I was feeling I told her about my pain and she said just watch as it can sometimes do that, so I never took another pill and the pain was not as bad but now they want to put me on gabapentine and reading all this I don't want to take it. I have been grounding now for 2 months and have noticed a big improvment in my pain if you google grounding or earthing you will get all the info you need I take my dog out early in the morning take my shoes and socks off and walk bearfoot for at least 30minutes at a time it has to be moist damp ground and I admit i thought it wouldn't work but it really does I dont have any grass in my yard or I would be bearfoot more. At night I have a grounding sheet on my bed and that is great for helping you to sleep, I also have a mat for my laptop so I am earthed when working. some people get pain when on the computer because they are senctive to the wifi that comes from them. I know some folks do need meds but this will work with your pills and it's free.

It looks as if you suffer from Diabetic Amyotrophy, known as Proximal Diabetic Neuropathy in the US. I have had 4 attacks over the last 2 years, each lasting about a month. Each attack is separated by periods of remission. Like you, I have to endure excruciating pain, mainly at night. It would appear that doctors know very little about this condition, or even what causes it. I was told that medical intervention might be relevant in only three situations: (1) B12 or (2) thyroid deficiency or (3) high glucose levels. None of these apply in my case. So all I can do is take something for the pain. In my case, Tramadol does the job, although at the peak of each attack, I have to take up to 6 capsules (400 micrograms each) nightly. Gabapentin has been suggested as an alternative.

I have just been put onto Gabapentin over the last five weeks. I started on 300mg three times a day and now I am on 300mg six times a day ie 1800mg per day. I also take pregabalin 600mg,Co-Codamol  30/500 8 tablets a day and amitriptalyne 30mg 

I feel so tired and I am waiting to go to the pain clinic to try something different. I suffer from Ariritis in my back neck.