Has anyone had any luck with gabapentin for neuropathy (from chemo). I'm on week one on gabapentin on a graduated increase over four weeks.

[Shenley3]

The pain is in my feet and hands but worse on my side (just below hip area). My chemo was finished last march 2013 and the pain hasn't subsided.

[Pacifica2]

Gabapentin supposedly reduces nerve pain sensation to the brain. It dulls the senses and I am on a small dose at bedtime initially to help sleep and relieve neuropathy. It seems to help the pain somewhat but not insomnia after a couple nights of use. I am also on Cymbalta which has indication to treat neuropathy but I have reduced the dose to 30mg because of heart palpitation. I started to use a topical mixture hoping that by applying to the painful site, it will numb the discomfort without systemic effects. It consists of gabapentin 5%, lidocaine 5%, ketoprofen 10% in PLO gel. However, it has not given me much relief, but I do find a liquid preparation called Pennsaid moderately helpful for superficial nerve pain and quite good for painful, inflamed areas that are not too deep from the skin surface. The major solvent in the preparation is DMSO which has been touted to produce analgesic effects to the site of application. It is an excellent agent as a carrier of medications through the skin. I wonder if addition of medications such as gabapentin to Pennsaid would be a better way to treat nerve discomfort on or near skin surfaces.

Normally taking gabapentin orally means starting off with a small dose of 300mg then titrated upwards to 1200mg in divided doses and sometimes to 2400mg. At higher doses people complain about side effects like grogginess, peripheral edema and lack of sensations. Weight gain is also a concern.

I am ordering a neuropathy support formula to try out with the hope that the ingredients may help nourish the nervous system and stop the degenerative changes as the result of my diabetes and/or nerve root impingement due to spinal compression.

Good luck!

[Jaynielynne in reply to Pacifica2]

Whoa-laaa I'm on a cream with 5% lidocaine, 10% Ketoprofen, 10% Kenalog. It's doing the trick. I don't have anything else besides that medicine and Ibuprofen

[Hidden in reply to Pacifica2]

I tried the "Neuropathy Support Formula" for a year and I couldn't tell any improvement.{maybe it would have been worse if I had not taken it} My neurologist recommended that I continue it. It couldn't do harm, except for the $45/mo it costs. I am currently taking Lyrica... a pain med that helps me sleep. Neurotin also helps stop the burning sensation in my feet and legs.

[FwdTees]

Been taking Gabapentin for about 4 weeks for nerve damage from arimidex for breast cancer. Not really helping and getting worse, and suffering side effects of emotional swings, hyper, and weight gain. Following up with doc tomorrow.

[Lee5 in reply to FwdTees]

How much are you on? My Dr. gave me 1000mgs and it took only half the pain away. She gave me 200mgs more but still have pain.

[Jaynielynne in reply to FwdTees]

I belong to health unlocked rls and a lot of people say that weight gain happens with gabapentin.

[Kelly156]

Hi

I am on Gabapentin for neurological pain.It does work,I was taking 2900 mg per day but have weaned down to 1600 mg / day.it works.it dulls/ smothers the pain.it makes you sleepy and have brain fog too.Neurological pain can increase for no apparent reason and the Gabapentin feels useless but better to take it than not!!!!.hope this helps

Kelly

[wtaylor72]

I am on Gabapentin it has been a tremendous help, but not a cure. I had this medtronic.com/patients/chro... inplanted and it makes up the difference.