Does Gapapentin work for fibromyalgia?

[K1953]

Hi everyone, I have now been officially diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis in my spine and fibromyalgia as well . I have been taking naproxen when needed and am replacing amitriptyline with gapapentin, The naproxen work well for the arthritis so can anyone give me any advice please. My fibromyalgia isn’t as bad as some of you and I am grateful for that but my shoulder and arm are the worst. Does anyone take gapapentin and does it work for you? X

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

it works for some. but for others no.

[K1953 in reply to desquinn]

Thank you, it’s just a case of try it and see then. 😄

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to K1953]

Very much so.

[Themanwithnoname]

Bad side effects for me so i went on Pregablin. All about finding what works for you.

GL

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

It works well for me, but my daughter was the opposite, and it has done nothing for her at all. She has since changed to amitriptyline and has found it better.

It's very much a case of trial and error. x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Did nothing for me, but I do well on pregabalin. Doesn't take pain away but helps keep it at a manageable level

[releasethemagic]

Gabapentin is an old and very cheap drug. It can affect liver function so your GP will do blood tests from time to time. It takes a bigger dose of Gabapentin to achieve the same effect as a smaller dose of its sister drug Pregabalin. Pregabalin is more expensive but is also available as a generic drug and the cost is falling. The lower dose means less chance of reduced liver function. Both can provide substantial pain relief for some people.

[K1953 in reply to releasethemagic]

Thank you x

[CM1EDSUK]

Neither Gabapentin nor Pregabalin (which are in the same 'family' of meds) are metabolised (broken down) by liver enzymes (altho 90+% of prescribed meds are), but are excreted virtually unchanged in a person's urine. Renal function tests rather are what might be taken via a blood test.

As mentioned by others, some fare better with Gabapentin, others with Pregabalin. As releasethemagic says a lower dosage of Pregabalin can have the same effect with neuropathic pain as Gabapentin, & this lower dosage may therefore mean fewer side-effects, but, as we're all different, it's a little bit of 'trial & error' to see which works best for you.

[K1953 in reply to CM1EDSUK]

Thank you, that’s helpful x

[geminilady]

Hi K1953, I took gabapentin for a long time and it worked for me. When i was first diagnosed with Fibro back in 2012, my GP tried a lot of different combinations of pills to see which ones were best for me. I took Gabapentin and tramadol together, worked a treat for me. I also tried amitriptyline, naproxen, co codemol, but they just didnt do anything for me. I gradually stopped the tramadol and ended up just taking the Gabapentin. Like others have said, i think its trial and error really. What suits one, doesnt suit another. My fibro isnt as bad now, i think over the years, you learn what works and you learn how to manage and live with it and pace yourself. For me, when the pain strikes bad, i get up and move about, it frees up my muscles, i slap some freeze gel on and take ibuprofen. But the best thing i found, was acupuncture. I had a month of treatment on my neck and shoulders and it totally got rid of my upper body pain. ~The relief lasted a few years. Give it a go, it might be just what you need. Good luck, hope you find something that works soon.

[SusieSquirrel]

It didn't work for me so I was put on pregablin, which I'm having a lot more luck with. But it could help you, its worth a try

[K1953 in reply to SusieSquirrel]

Thank you xx

[Bramble71]

Hi. I've found Gabapentin to be quite effective for my nerve pain, but only once I got to quite a high dose. I take 900mg morning, early afternoon and at bedtime. The side effects ad pretty bad but uncontrolled nerve pain is worse!

I take Naproxen, too, to help with the inflammation from the arthritis in my feet, spine, knees & hands. It's not 100% effective but it does help.

[K1953 in reply to Bramble71]

Thank you x

[Ani7]

Hi lovely sorry to hear about your pain. I have same problem with all the left side of my body, legs hands and lower back is extremely painful. Amitriptiline made my chest pain full. Gabapanthic use for whole year does not work for me. Either. Now I am on Delocitian , Omeparazol and coco dam. But one minute I am fine and next minute screaming with pain, like a joke. Extremely fed up can’t go out either. Hopefully you will get better soon. Finger crossed 🤞 x

[K1953 in reply to Ani7]

Thank you your kind words. I will just have to see what works and what doesn’t. Some people on here are in agony but thankfully I am not as bad as that. I keep getting throbbing pains in my hands and feet but at least I know what it is now. The cold weather doesn’t help . Stay safe and as pain free as you can. Xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Ani7 in reply to K1953]

Yes finger crossed 🤞 it’s will work for you. Every one has a different type of pain and some medication does work for some people and some doesn’t. Just worth to try and see. Take good care and look after yourself hun c

[ClassyLady3]

It works for me at 200mg 4 times a day. I cannot take pregabalin as I had a severe side effect to it

[K1953 in reply to ClassyLady3]

Many thanks xx

[Maud-ie]

I too have arthritis in my spine and sacrolilitis plus fibro. I was taking 3 x 300mg a day of Gabapentin which wasn't working particularly well. Just in process of titrating up to 3 x 600mg Gabapentin per day which seems much better but makes me sleepy(er!). I can't take NSAIDs (Naproxen) as I have a heart condition. I would suggest giving Gabapentin a go as it is all trial and a lot of error. Good luck x

[K1953 in reply to Maud-ie]

Thank you x

[magicmo]

I tried gabapentin didn't work for me, so now on pregabalin and fluoxetine