Gabapentin experiences

[Claire_Alexandra]

hi there

I’ve now been on 3x 300mg daily (worked up over three weeks as often experience side effects) for two months now. I’ve not noticed any differences at all.

My GP is encouraging going up to 6x 300mg daily so 2 morning, 2 midday, 2 night. I’m really hesitant. Worried about side effects while working full time and needing to drive etc. Worried about What withdrawal might be like eventually. Worried it’s pointless if it makes no difference anyway.

Have any of you been on it for endo? What was your dose? How did you find it? Helpful?

Thank you

Claire

[Cailleach]

Hi, I take Gabapentin 300mg x3 daily. Like you I am wary about increasing it because I felt it made me a bit brain foggy at times. I do find it has an impact on the pain, it basically treats nerve pain. I can’t take NSAIDS or opiates so am limited in what I can take.

The Gabapentin in my experience should work fairly quickly. If you are not seeing any improvement I can’t see why you should increase it. Surely that would only be if it helped but your pain was not fully controlled.

I would be very wary about withdrawal or reducing the dose if you have to do that. I was prescribed a different drug-imipramine - which is also for nerve pain, but had to stop the Gabapentin first. The GP told me to stop it by reducing 300mg every 4 days. I was absolutely floored, extreme fatigue and feeling nauseous. That might not affect everyone the same but I would take it slowly.

I decided not to stick with the imipramine and went back to Gabapentin.

There are plenty other drugs for nerve pain which are also antidepressants and might have fewer side effects for you though. Or it might be a different type of painkiller ie not for nerve pain is what you need.

You might also be able to get a referral to a Pain Clinic for more expert advice than your GPCan give.

Hope you get some relief.