Endo Misery, still suffering at 40, trying gabapentin, anyone else tried this?

[SarahAnne81]

I have suffered since l was 11 diagnosed at 38 & now at 40 l find myself childless because of this condition devastated is an understatement. I am still suffering with horrendous pain & heavy bleeding each month. Some how l still have the energy to try to find relief, the latest treatment l have been prescribed is along with my naproxen & cocodamol & pain relief heat pads front and back are Gabapentin.....so far no use and lots of weird side effects, has anyone else had experience of gabapentin for Endo pain?

[SK2021]

Hi I haven’t tried gabapentin but I know a few people that swear by it: just take the lowest dose you can get away with. If it makes you feel sickly or you struggle with side effects then it’s not for you but atleast you’ve tried it. Have you tried a tens machine? I invested in one and use it regularly alongside my pain relief it works a treat. Sending big hugs endo is just a horrible horrible condition I know exactly how you’re feeling. Stay strong you’re not alone xxx

[SarahAnne81 in reply to SK2021]

Thanks for such a lovely reply, kindness means everything for us endo warriors doesnt it? I have recently purchased the Ovira Noha tens machine really handy & compact, no improvement yet but will keep at it. I have also just purchased a thermie which l think will help, l shall keep you posted and again thanks for the lovely supportive reply x

[Cailleach in reply to SK2021]

Gabapentin does work for me, I am only on the lowest dose -300mg x 3 daily. It took a while for the side effects to settle down- in my case dopiness rather than sleepiness in that my brain didn’t seem to be working properly. If you have a look online there are a long list of side effects and it seems to affect different people differently. One of my friends said it made her so bad tempered- she said ‘wicked’ - that she had to stop it for her family’s sake!

If it helps the pain and the side effects are too bad then there are other drugs for nerve pain, such as pregabalin which is similar and antidepressants such as amitryptyline. They all have their side effects sadly. There are other opiate type drugs stronger than co-codamol too,

If you don’t decide to go with the gabapentin then see what else your GP can come up with, or ask about referral to a Pain Clinic. Don’t just stop the gabapentin though, come off it gradually.

Sadly with all these drugs it seems you have to balance effectiveness with whether you can cope with the side effects. Are you getting any other form of treatment such as hormone therapy or surgical excision?

I know how horrible it is to have to come to terms with this diagnosis and the effects of the condition - and the effects of the treatment. I hope very much you find something which works for you.