Pregabalin and Gabapentin in pain

[BigYin81]

New paper on the role of Pregabalin and Gabapentin in pain, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). Note that they are not effective for low back pain or SCIATICA, and also consider its considerable side-effects when using or prescribing.

Key messages:

"1. Pregabalin and gabapentin can be effective as first-line treatment for some people with neuropathic pain such as post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

2. They are not effective for low back pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or episodic migraine, and their off-label use for these conditions is not advised

3. Ask patients to report side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, and gait problems, which may require the drugs to be tapered and stopped"

Full paper here: bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1315

[Beckybockers]

This is very interesting, I've often questioned what good it's doing, if any!

[doc1947g]

I am on Fentany 87 mcg/hr now but since 1999, 5 years post discoidectomy. The patches were started after many years on different pills that could not control the pain.

I went two times to Pain Clinic for a period of 18 months each. Every day (M-F) physiotherapy, ergotherapy, psychology & psychiatric, all of them to help me control and accept my pain.

I also had MANY epidurals and fasceter blocks with NO results and even feeling worse.

I also try acupuncture and meditations and other non-medical technics to NO results.

I am on sleeping medications and anti-constipation meds too.

When the pain flare, I have to isolate myself because I become VERY agressif.

Anybody had a similar history.