Gabapentin

[zann10]

Hi im hoping anyone can give advice,went to docs yesterday and he said that he wants me to start on gabapentin,managed to stay off meds, but need them now,bit worried about it all😕

[Hidden]

Hi Zann10,

Last year my GP tried me on Gabapentin, the dose was increased gradually.After a few weeks I definitely felt less pain but the side effects so debilitating I could not function normally with my day to day duties.Mistakenly I took myself off the medication without consulting my GP and the result was I ended up in A&E foolish of me I know. After an ECG I was kept in overnight for observation until my blood pressure and heart rate was back to normal.

What the consultant told me and I am sure not everyone knows this, is that apparently it is dangerous just to stop the drug. The dosage should be reduced gradually,also the individual should wear a medical bracelet or some other way of identifying in a case of an emergency informing they are on Gabapentin.

Now, that was my experience and doesn't necessarily mean you will be the same.

Good luck,

Carol.

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there

Many of us on the forum take Gabapentin. I have been on this med for years.

The side effects are drowsiness and weight gain. The drowsiness will wear off after a couple of weeks. You will be started on a low dose and it will gradually be increased if necessary.

No medication, whatever it is, should be suddenly stopped. All medications should be gradually reduced with the help and support of your GP.

Some people get on with this drug and others don't.

However, there is only one way to find out whether it will work for you, and that's to try it.

I've been in hospital many times since I started taking Gabapentin (for unrelated health problems) and I have never been told I need to wear a medical bracelet.

If you are in a lot of pain I would definitely give it a try.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Wishing you less pain and more peace

Lu xx

Volunteer Adminstrator

[TheAuthor]

Hi zann10

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I take quite a lot of medication for Fibro and other medical conditions but I am not on Gabapentin (I have Pregabalin). I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck if you decide to give this drug a try. Please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

I started on 300 mg of gabapentin and am now up to 2,400 mg daily. It has definitely reduced my pain, but not entirely. Enough to function. It also helps you to get deep sleep. The first night I took it I slept like a baby and it felt like my first nights sleep in years. I've had no side effects except drowsiness in the first couple weeks. It's also much cheaper than the other brand name drugs. It's definately worth trying. It has helped me enormously. Good luck!