Gabapentin

[DAML8]

Those of you on Gabapentin for endo pain....how long did it take for it to work to relieve the pain? Also, what dosage are you on?

I would just like to know how long I need to stick with it for before I have to accept it’s not working for me and move on to trying something else.

Thanks in advance.

[Woo25]

I’ve been on for 3 months now, and just increased dose due to pain coming back. Currently taking 6, 100mg tablets a day.

[DAML8 in reply to Woo25]

Ive been on them for 3 weeks and have been put on 6 x 300mg a day. They have made no difference to my pain so far but i know its still very early days x

[Woo25 in reply to DAML8]

I don’t know if I could stay awake if I ended up taking anymore!

[DAML8 in reply to Woo25]

Yes, that is the problem i am finding. Feel very groggy in the morning’s 🥱

[Renee2]

I’m also interested in people’s experience with Gabapentin. How are you getting on with it so far?

[DAML8 in reply to Renee2]

I have only been for them for a few weeks. No major side effects just a few dizzy spells and i find it makes my eyes roll and flicker (if that makes sense) I have definitely found it helps reduce these symptoms if i take my tablets with a bit of food...if I take on an empty stomach i tend to get the drunk, room spin feeling when i close my eyes!

[Renee2 in reply to DAML8]

Hopefully you’ll notice the effects re pain soon. Are you allowed to take other pain killers in the mean time?

[DAML8 in reply to Renee2]

Yes hopefully, the pain specialist said if its not working after 6 weeks he will change me onto pregabalin and then if that is no good he’ll move me onto duloxetine. So hopefully one of them will work eventually! Im not on any other pain relief atm. I recently came off oramorph so I don’t want to go back onto that.

[Renee2 in reply to DAML8]

I appreciate you sharing your experience with Gabapentin DAML8.

I'm also looking into this for pain management. Need to look for other options than regular pain killers, NSAIDs, and pelvic floor therapy. Take care.

[DAML8 in reply to Renee2]

No worries...hope it helps. I too have tried pretty much everything else and alternative therapies with no luck.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to DAML8]

What exactly does a pain specialist do ? Can they tell you my doctor to change your medication if they think it needs changing ? . I presume you are in England ? I am going to be going to a pain clinic soon hopefully.. that why I’m asking .

[ourmolly]

I take 5 x 300mg gabapentin daily, as well as fentanyl patches as I have back problems. Sometimes it helps when the dose is increased, if that does not help have a word with your GP to see if you need further tests or different medication.

[DAML8 in reply to ourmolly]

Yes, my gp has requested that i get a second opinion. My previous consultant just wanted me to mask the pain with pain killers rather than fixing the actual problem (i was diagnosed with endo 6 yrs ago)

[Hidden]

I have been taking remedine forte ( para / +dihydracodeine) for years now due to knee problems .. I’ve had injections too .. but since having MRI on my lower spine because of back pain have been put on gabapentin too .. not sure why I’m still taking the remedine.. maybe I’m addicted!!! ... it’s worrying me but anyway the gabapentin dose has just been upped to 3 x 300 per day because of a sciatica attack. I feel tired in the morning and wake up later. I can sleep through the night better I think unless I wake up for the loo !! I do feel lethargic during the day and more depressed than usual and my appetite seems to be suffering although I haven’t lost much weight ! Just general lack of enthusiasm really . I am currently investigating the possibility of a back injection so that at least I may be free if that pain and also knee injections because I’ve had those before and they do work for me for quite a good while . My doctor isn’t doing those at the moment because of COVID so I hope I can find somewhere that is .. anyone who knows somewhere in the north of England doing this let me know please .