Gabapentin

[Crossstitch1]

Hi all...hope you're all having as comfortable an evening as possible.

My gp has given me a prescription for Gabapentin....I was wondering if anyone would mind sharing their experiences of this with me? I had reactions to Prevailing and also to Amatriptylene...so hoping for good results this time! Xx

[pixixxxxxx]

Hi I’ve been on these for about 3 years now and if I missed a dose I could really notice it... My gp has just upped them to 4 a day as lately they haven’t been working as well I think our bodies get used to them after a while... I also take amatriptylene and have the butrans patches 20 mg I find these are amazing if I forget to change them I really can feel it ... I also take other tablets for various other illnesses.. I went to the pain clinic at the hospital and they recommended a mix of tablets and they have helped a lot ... hopefully you’ll get relief from some of your pain x

[Crossstitch1 in reply to pixixxxxxx]

Thanks for your reply Pixi...I have just started gabapentin..gp said to build the dose up slowly...glad you are getting some relief.xx

[25rosclare]

Hi Crossstich1, I have been on gabapentin for almost a year and it has been great for me. Starting it was a problem (I was on 100mg 3 times a day) as I was spaced out for a couple of weeks until I got used to it. I then increased it gradually until I was on 300mg 3 times per day (each increase I was spaced out until I got used to it). I must admit it has made me very laid back as the drug is strong but it really helps with the nerve pain I was having.

Everyone has different reactions to different medications. I hope this one is the right one for you.

Good luck

[Crossstitch1 in reply to 25rosclare]

Thank you for your reply. Glad it's working well for you....fingers crossed it will work for me also.xx

[Libluce8]

I started Gabapentin a month ago...I’d denied I had Fibromyalgia saying I could manage but the nerve pain (burning) in my shoulder and back got so bad I couldn’t sit at a computer for longer than 15 minutes and I was waking at night with the pain...since taking them I feel 100% better and will continue. By the way I’ve had no side effects, I have also got more energy and that awful foggy feeling is starting to go.

[Crossstitch1 in reply to Libluce8]

Thank you for your reply. Glad it's working so well for you.... interesting that it's helping to get rid of the fibro fog ....I will be delighted if that happens for me also!xx

[Bazzybuggs]

I’ve been on it for almost a year and I didn’t notice any real difference. But the thing about fibro is how it changes and I realised how subtly it had worked because I missed a couple of doses and noticed I was in more pain than usual. It can make me very sleepy though. But by far the biggest problem I’ve had is increased appetite and weight gain. This has been horrible for me as I was overweight before I started this drug and am diabetic so there’s some concern for me and my GP that things don’t get worse. I know it sounds negative, but I would suggest you discuss your concerns with your doctor and at least try it. There are other options if it isn’t for you.

Good luck x

[Crossstitch1 in reply to Bazzybuggs]

Thank you for your reply. It is interesting how things change just to keep us on our toes! Hope you and your GP manage to get your concerns sorted.xx

[Crossstitch1]

Just realised my typo! I typed in prevailing when I meant pregablin! Just pay more attention!

[joeshe]

Hope everything works out o.k. The simple answer is Gabapentin reacts differently with each patient. PERSONALLY, IT WORKS FINE FOR ME. GOOD LUCK

[CravenA]

Hi crossstitch1, I’ve been on Gabapentin since 2007, it took a bit of trial and error to find the right dose tocope with the neuromuscular pain and stayed on that dose (1200mg) till 2018 when it was upped to 2400mg daily, I found the drug worked well, but if I forgot my midday dose could feel the effects by 5-7 pm. Regarding the amytrypilline that foes nothing for me, had been on another drug (in Cyprus) before returning to the UK and P wouldn’t keep me on the drug so put me on Nortryptoline which was the one nearest the previous drug, changed area and another GP who thought he would try Amytrptilline and forgot why I shouldn’t try it, I spent the next 3 days unable to get out of bed so went back to Gp and he put me back on Amytryptiilline which is cheaper for GP surgeries by the way. I am now on a nice even keel, hope this is of some help to you. CravenA