Hi, I'm a newbie. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia about three years ago. I'm on gabapentin already for back and leg pain due to protruding discs. I'm having a bad time health wise and feel very lonely and depressed. Would I be able to take gabapentin and anti depressants.? Don't want anything that's going to add to my brain fog!
Thank you for reading
Silver
Hi there Silver73 and welcome to the forum! Some antidepressants create more brain fog than others. What antidepressants would it be that you were taking? More 'activating' ADs usually help with brain fog I've discovered, where more 'sedating' ones is dependant on the person. I've never personally been on Gabapentin so I can't comment too much on that but some say it helps some say it makes it worse. Most cases it doesn't do anything for brain fog either way. Gabapentin is really good for nerve pain however so I'd say that it outweighs any potential brain fog imo.
Fluoxetine is usually prescribed for 'brain fog' but I'm not sure which AD you'd be On?
Welcome to the forum again and big hugs doll xx
Hi Silver73
I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have pasted for you below a link to our mother site, FMA UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:
Many of the members take both but it is a question of which your doctor feels are suitable for you.
I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
Hi, yes you can take gabapentin and antidepressants. I take pregabalin which is a sister drug of gabapentin and I take the antidepressant duloxetine. Duloxetine is also prescribed for Fibromyalgia pain. I have tried the antidepressant citalopram which didn't do anything for my depression. I have also tried the antidepressant mirtazapine which did work well, however I find duloxetine the most suitable as it really helps with my depression and my fibromyalgia pain too. I do get fatigue and brain fog but I do take other meds too. However I do find my meds help with my pain and depression so they outweigh any side effects.
Hi silver
Sorry to hear you having a bad time. When you have a condition like fibro plus other health issues , it's very common to also suffer anxiety and/or depression, particularly if you are in pain most days.
I also have herniated discs plus osteoarthritis in my lower spine and I've had fibro for over 10 years.
I take max dose of gabapentin, I have a butrans patch 10mg (like morphine), paracetamol and codeine 500/30, sertraline and omeprazol.
Yes, I do get some brain fog but I can tolerate that in order to get the pain relief.........lesser of two evils really!!
The only thing you can do is try anti depressants, make sure you give yourself enough time on them, as you may get some side effects to start with but these should subside after a while.
Medication is a bit of a juggling act when you have a few things going on.......it's a case of trying different combinations and doses to see what suits you.
Good luck
Judi
Thanks for your welcoming and helpful comments x I'm just feeling really run down at the moment,extra hours at work, and bit of family stress. Not sure what anti dependents it would be. I think I need to make an appointment with the doctor x
Silver
Hi Silver. I take gabapentin and the antidepressant amitryptiline. I've found it's more a case of dose and time I take antidepressants that gives me brain fog that affects my waking hours. It's a case of finding a balance. It can take a couple of weeks to really see the affects of antidepressants.
Hello....Yes I believe you can...trial and error though to what suits you Silver....
It's better to take better diet, off course u need Omega 3 fish oil, olive oil, that helps u in blood circulation n flexibility in veins, blood thickness cause these stretching feeling in body mostly starting from hands n legs, access of medicine may cause these side effects too so for cleaning ur intestine n healthy digestion drink Aloe Vera morning n night 20ml daily, consult this with ur doc too, God bless you all, Stay positive to get positive results . Gud luck.
Hi silver73. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question but I'd like to offer you a warm welcome to our fabulous forum.
Hugs xx
I have taken paroxetine with gabapentin, and, at one stage amitryptiline small dose at night.
Hi, yes you can. I take 2700mg of gabapentin, 75mg of lamitrigine, 60mg of duloxetine, plus other meds. My neurologist told me several anti depressants double up also as a pain killer -amtriptyline is one, duloxetine another so it is worth starting antidepressants if you feel the need. I am awful though at the moment with pain etc. Take care
anti-depressants are helpful
Gabapentin v amitriptyline
Gabapentin
Update
Pain management 
