Gabapentin and AF

[Mightnot]

Hi

I’ve had several cardioversions and am not currently in AF, though I’ve been in it frequently in the past.

I have been put on gabapentin for a pain issues

I take bisoprolol, flecainide, rivaroxaban for my heart, and allopurinol for gout.

I’ve recently had 4 weeks of pain in my jaw and teeth, which has been diagnosed as general neuralgia and is not related to my teeth.

Any comments on using gabapentin with heart issues or any other related experiences would be much appreciated. thanks M

[Jalia]

I was prescribed Gabapentin for nerve pain following hip replacement 2 years ago. No problem with any heart issues . I have a very long AF history.

Hope your jaw pain is resolved soon. I had this many years ago .....worst pain ever, diagnosed as Trigeminal Neuralgia. I may have had Gabapentin then but that was before onset of AF.

[Mightnot in reply to Jalia]

that is what it is trigeminal neuralgia - thanks for the reply much appreciated

I had my last cardioversion in Sept and still out of AF as usually go back to permanent AF after about 2 or 3 months. This time holding and worried gabapentin and amitryline are going to get me into AF. I have taken today gabapentin but holding off on amitryline for the time being as that looks more likely and is only for me to sleep

[Jalia in reply to Mightnot]

I've had Amitryptiline as well. To be honest , when I look back on my episodes of Trigeminal Neuralgia the pain was so severe that I would have taken anything to relieve the pain.

[Beta44 in reply to Mightnot]

Amitriptyline can be proarrhythmic. Best not to take if you are susceptible to AF. Check with your pharmacist or doctor.

Peter

[Mightnot in reply to Beta44]

thanks for the comment - I am using gabapentin and on my second day and so far just a bit dizzy and I will not use amitriplyne for now

[BenHall1]

Hi,

I have been prescribed both Gabapentin and Amitriptlyne for pain in the past, different times and both sccessfully gave me diahorrea which started within hours of digestion. The first my GP prescribed was the Amitriptlyne ..... once I got over these side effects I complained to my GP and she then tried the Gabapentin ........ once I got the same side effects I quit both drugs and reverted to my good old faithful ........... CoCodomol 30/500.

At no time, with either drug did it affect my heart in any way, nor my BP. Just my digestive system. It did not trigger any of the AF family of conditions.

[Mightnot in reply to BenHall1]

thanks for the comment - I have cocodamol 30/500 but that doesn't help the nerve pains. I am using gabapentin and on my second day and so far just a bit dizzy and I will not use amitriplyne for now

[Rosie1066]

I’ve recently come off Gabapentin & Pregabalin for my spine problems and five weeks later I went in to persistent AFib. Can’t say there’s any connection but I did have lots of very nasty withdrawal symptoms which ended up with me in A&E. My Gabapentin /Pregabalin was stopped as it has now been changed to regular injections directly into my spine. Took me about three weeks to get over the withdrawal symptoms. I have suffered AF since 2008 on and off for which I had a Pacemaker fitted in 2023. I’m now waiting to see a cardiologist as Drs not sure if it could be a pacemaker problem or another heart problem. I am still in persistent AFib.

[Mightnot in reply to Rosie1066]

thanks for the comment - i am normally in af but after cv's I am out for 3 months then I go back and not sure why

[petmice in reply to Rosie1066]

My old neurologist prescribed Gabapentin for my essential tremor (a "side effect" is that it also helped my fibromyalgia pain) but my new neurologist doesn't prescribe it. Thankfully I had a 2-3 week supply left and a little voice in my head said to taper off while I still had it. Your comment has me realizing that what I thought were side effects of the new med were probably Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms.

I wish my new neurologist would prescribe Gabapentin because it took care of two problems at once with only mild side effects. And it didn't affect my heart.

[Mightnot]

I have heard that gabapentin can cause addiction and withdrawl but not sure how

[Qualipop]

I was given Gaba for spinal nerve pain. It didn't help at all and made me feel seriously suicidal, a known side effect that doesn't happen to that many people. Just be aware if your mood does change, speak to your doctor right away.

[Mightnot]

thanks i am on 900 today and so far no side affects