Gabapentin

Is anyone on Gabapentin, especially for nerve pain? How has it been? I have been prescribed a low dosage of Gabapentin to help with nerve pain but this is a medication that does scare me a bit. Does it cause easy weight gain? Anyone who can tell me their experiences with it I would be grateful! Thanks!

[RxMe]

Hi BrooklyneDeanne,

Yes, on it temporarily for excruciating sciatica and radiculopathy pain. I have found it helpful in mitigating nerve pain and helping me achieve sleep. Not sure about longterm use or effects, but it has been a welcome addition! Hope this helps. 😉

[lupylupus in reply to RxMe]

Hello RXMe,

I take many tablets for lupus but not Gabapentine. However, my husband takes it for nerve pain and it really helps him. He suffers badly with it and only takes his when it becomes unbearable. He has not seen any side effects so far and has been prescribed it for years.

I do hope you are not suffering too much and that it helps you to get through your pain.

Kindest wishes

Margaret

[RxMe in reply to lupylupus]

Hi Margaret,

Nerve pain can be almost unbearable at times. Worse than labor pains— and it lasts a whole lot longer! 😣

Fortunately, I am now on the mend. I’m going to tuck away my remaining gabapentin for a possible future episode….Many thanks for your kind reply!

RxMe 💐

[svfarmer]

hi yes I’ve been taking Gabapentin for last 14 months, I take for night flushes , I haven’t noticed any weight gain and take it with no problems at all , hope it helps you xx

[JennaShi]

hi BrooklyneDeanne,

I’ve been on Gabapentin, for about a year and a half (not quite sure just an estimate) for small fiber poly neuropathy and it has done wonders at keeping my pin pricks away if I stay consistent, and burning down. Doesn’t take away tingling. I think it’s worth trying for a while and seeing how it goes. The downsides (atleast for me) are having to up every so often (drs say it’s normal and you can up med more), weight gain, and some memory issues. I already have an issue with it bit do think short term memory has gotten a little worse. I guess it’s about weighing the cost. For me, my symptoms can be nasty, so I think it’s worth while.

[Mag17]

Hello

I’ve been on gabapentin for about 10 months now for my back, nerve pain as well. Waiting for a neurosurgeon appointment (not sure if it’ll ever happen).

I find it very helpful with my back, I think it’s saving my life and ability to work and live fairly normal life. Not sure about weight gain, as after pandemic I’ve put on a lot anyway.

But if I miss one dose I’m unable to sleep and get massive migraines. So going off will be a massive challenge but generally I’d say why not trying it?

Have a lovely day x

[kingsnorth]

l have been on it for 4 years l was prescribed it for neuropathy l only take 1 tablet of a night which helps me sleep if my neuropathy is particularly bad l take 2 at bedtime l can’t say l particularly have any side affects but I’m only on low dose

[Mymittens]

I have been on gabapentin since 2019 for nerve pain from a neurological disorder. I slowly upped the dose to try and feel the benefits, which are amazing. I ended up on 1800mg a day and have put 4 stone on. It used to make me sleep, but had no effect on that anymore. I started to decrease at the beginning of the year, am now on 1200mg daily, but to go any lower, just brings the pain back.. Apart from the weight gain I don't have any other symptoms.

[Saralife]

Am on it too for the past 2 months because of the same nerve pain.

It makes you sleepy so they advise you not to drive when you take it.

Am taking 2 medicine 3 times a day because am really in pains.

I haven’t seen any weight gain yet.

Just having round face because of the steroids.

[Piscesdreamer]

Hello, I was on gabapentin a few years back for 6 months following a bout of shingles on my face. It worked well. I did have terrible withdrawals though when tapering off of them. Could be just my body chemistry and experience, but wanted to mention it is a possibility in case it happens to you so can be aware.

[Guatmom]

My dad takes it multiple times a day for diabetic nerve pain. It really seems to help. I tried taking it, but quit because if made my brain feel like it was processing too slowly. I decided I couldn’t live with feeling in a constant state of brain fog. Give it a try. It’s a great benefit to many.

[tillie]

I have been taking for nerve pain..1x3 times a day for 5 yrs. No weight gain or problems so far. Would so like you to feel the same, here's hoping you do.

[Hidden]

Thank everyone for your replies!

[Olderkitten]

Hi Brooklyn, I'm taking 2700mg of Gabapentin for nerve pain and to be honest it's not helping, I can't say it's affected my weight but it does make me feel yucky, nauseous, dizzy, tired

[Hidden in reply to Olderkitten]

Ugh, that doesn’t sound fun at all. I am still undecided on it to be honest. How long have you been on it?

[Olderkitten in reply to Hidden]

I have been off and on it for probably 5 to seven years

[lupie-Cathy]

Hi I’ve been on Gabapentin for years I thought it wasn’t doing much until I tried to come off it then I realised it was helping, I did have weight gain but then I am on a lot of medication that causes weight gain so difficult to tell if it was that or something else! ( for other health problems not associated with AN) I did get up to 2.700 mgs per day over 3 doses but have managed to reduce it to 700 mg a day over 3 doses so pleased about that! But it does take quite a while to kick in properly. I don’t have drowsiness with it though it can cause that to start with. Hope you get on alright with it and it works well for you.

All the best