Gabapentin & Pregabilin

[WendyWoo50]

At a recent appointment with The Pain Clinic consultant in UCL (London Hospital) it was suggested I tried these drugs (not together!)

When it is mentioned on here it seems no one gets on with it.

I don't want another drug, especially one that may affect my mind.

I'd like to hear from those who have tried it and if you liked it or not and why. I'd also like to hear if it changed the way you thought or any other mind symptoms. Did it help with your pain?

Thank you. I need opinions and to hear some first hand experiences before I make my decision 💋 X

[jetjetjet]

I take Gaba and have now for about 6 years - i take 2400 mls a day and it hasn't bother me { at least I don't think it does !! others may not agree ?? } as of the other i haven't even heard of that one - were you going to take them together or were they 2 different options ?

[WendyWoo50 in reply to jetjetjet]

Different options

[Sara_A]

Hi I used to take gabapentin for several yrs and quite a high dose 3 times a day for occipital neuralgia ( nerve pain) and I got on well with it and it really helped.

I then had to stop it when I had my baby and tried to go back on it after he was born but couldn't tolerate it for some reason it made me feel spaced out like I was drunk. Do I would suggest u try it when u know u haven't got to go anywhere just incase.

It's worth a try, what are they suggesting it for?? Pain I guess being as it was pain clinic! But nerve pain??

I have known recent people on pregablin for anxiety and had great results.

[Fra22-57]

I have been on it for years.first Gabapentin but gave me stomach problems. I did not find any relief until on 450mg a day.You try anything first pain. My body has got used to it now but for years I would feel doped up part ofor day and couldn't walk round places only in a daze.I would want to close my eyes thou wasn't tired.I had many suicidal thoughts.

As I said my body got used to it and settled but had very very bad experience when told not to take pm and next a.m. dose before surgical procedure.I collapsed and went into drug withdrawal state ...and was wired up to drugs in hospital to help me.It ended up after 3 days making new not being able to walk just like my body went year before when diagnosed APS.

I was unlucky. Drugs effect everyone differently.

My sister was only on very small dose and couldn't function properly and had to come off it. Othere have little side effects...as I said we are all different

I am now on 350 mg a day

[WandaE]

I have been on gabapentin since 1998. It was gradually introduced into my body. I take 1600 mg. a day. Yes, it does help my nerve pain. I cannot take more than 1600 mg. a day because it would make me too sleepy.

[WendyWoo50]

It sounds like a horrible drug I wonder if it's worth it?

[Oreo6060]

I take Gabapentin only at night. 300 mg a night. It has helped a lot. My Dr. told me to take it at night because it causes most people to be groggy. I tried it in daytime, and it does that! So, to be safe (I didn't feel I was clear minded enough to drive) , I take it only in the p.m.

[Aliking4]

I've taken both of them with no particular side effects. I don't think so anyway. I think they do help with the pain. A neurologist said that Pregabilin increases your appetite so I went back onto Gabapentin, but I think it's a general side effect of both. If you are in pain I would say to take them and see if they help.

[Yllek]

Hi

I took pregabalin and had horrible side effects from it. I really didn’t like it and it didn’t help my pain.

I do take gabepentin now - 1800 mg. however, it doesn’t work! I told my Drs I’d stick with it to give it a chance but I’ll be coming off it soon.

I suffer lots of tongue numbness as well as pain and they thought this may help - but they thought wrong! On the positive side I don’t get side effects with gabepentin.

Every body is different with drugs and pain meds and what is a wonder drug for one person will give the next person side effects and minimal help.

You need to work with your Doctors and find out what’s best for you, unfortunately this can take a little bit of trial and error.

Kelly x

[Hughes-Comrade]

I took gab. for a short while and I felt like a zombie. I then tried lyrica and ended up in ER with a huge feeling of doom and 189/112 bp shortness of breath and many more side effects. I was just too sensitive.

[WendyWoo50 in reply to Hughes-Comrade]

Im very sensitive so I think I'll avoid it too!

I hope u found something to help u 💋

[falling2peices]

I’ve been on gabapentin for a few years for my fibromyalgia took 1800 mg a day it hasn’t helped my pain but has caused tremors and in my opinion memory loss and I have bilateral vestibular loss with no known cause but Gabapentin is listed as a medication that can cause inner ear problems but that’s just my experience

[WendyWoo50 in reply to falling2peices]

Omg that sounds awful. It seems the negative experiences far outweigh the positive ones in the replies on here!

My brother went from being an extrovert, happy go lucky man to suisidal on gabapentin and a friend told me it was the worst thing she ever did when she took it and says she has never been the same since.

Thanks everyone for your replies!