I have CKD stage 3A. I am 57. I will be having surgery to relieve a horrible, pinched nerve in my neck. (Spinal stenosis) It is extremely painful. I don't want to take opioids for many reasons and because I have kidney disease, I only take Tylenol which is like taking air when going up against this level of pain. I know gabapentin helps a lot of people but is said to be really dangerous for CKD patients. My doc. has given me 300 mgs. a day which is the very low end of the scale. It doesn't really do anything. By mistake the other day I took it 2 times. (600) Omg...what a difference. So much of my pain was gone. I saw on google that it is safe if you stay under 800 mgs. But before I call my doc. I just wanted to know if anyone has any first-hand knowledge about this. Has anyone taken gabapentin with kidney disease? Did it make your kidneys worse? Thanks for reading.
Gabapentin and CKD: I have CKD stage 3A. I am... - Kidney Disease
Gabapentin and CKD
I am at CKD 3 and am taking 500 mg a day of gabapentin because of nerve issues. So far have had no issues with it and has not appeared to effect my eGFR. My neurologist is aware of my CKD situation and monitors it.
Thank you so much for responding!
My dad is 80 stage 4a (when he found out about his ckd he was stage 5) anyway for his bad itching he’s on gabapentin and his labs have so far kept improving. I’d say you’re ok, but definitely talk to your dr to see if increasing it is possible since it helped you better. Hope you get some much needed relief!
I am stage 4 and taking 100mg Gabapentin 2 times a day and doc said ok for kidney disease. I am taking it for anxiety, restless legs. It works wonders. I will check in with nephrologist about this at next visit.
Hi, I'm stage 4 ckd and been on gabapenthin for about 6 months for back pain . It was my nephrologist who suggested it, so I'd say it's definitely OK. I'm hoping to up the dose as I had a recent mri scan and have been told I have arthritis in my lower back!! 🙁
Good morning. I am at stage 4 with kidney function of 23 %. I an 72 years young. I have been taking gabapentin 300 mg three times a day for around a year now.And I don't find any side effects. I take gabapentin for pain in my hands, legs' feet and headaches.
For those on 300mg or more, does it make you tired or loopy? I got the neck stenosis causing nerve pain in my arm. It’s never worked for me in the past but this may necessitate another shot. I need sthg that isnt opioids or NSAIDs! Best
Why not get nerve surgically decompressed
Not a surgical candidate
I was placed on 300mg 3 times daily. It did make me “loopy” and cause me to forget words. For me has improved over time. My PT told me it took time for my brain to adjust to it.
Have you been made aware of the effect Tylenol has on the kidneys? I believe it is likely to be a far worse choice than Gabapentin. I have been taking Gabapentin for about 5 years. It was originally prescribed because of my neck issues by a neurologist. I don't think it does much for that but because of sleep problems I take it along with other things to increase my sleep time. I have Stage 3 that has never been brought to my attention by a dr. I discovered my condition myself by looking at my declining eGFR. I cannot say that Gabapentin has had a role in causing it, but my brother who does not take Gabapentin is also dealing with declining kidney function so since we share DNA I am blaming CKD at least partially on heredity.
Tylenol is OK for CKD, per my neph. It is processed through the liver not kidneys. Now if you have liver problems then No don't take it.
Took at 600 after surgery, couple of weeks. No ill effects. Best of luck
I take 300mg for hot flashes and nerve pain. My nephrologist seems to feel that dosage is ok, but she would not want the dose increased.
I have had a kidney transplant and am on 300 mg of Gabapentin 3 x a day due to nerve issues. It was approved by my nephrologist. For me it has not affected my creatinine or other lab values.
Call your doctor 600 should be fine but call both prescriber and kidney doctor for guidance
Gabapentin makes me dizzy. I already have balance issues. I was put on it to help migraines, but quit.
I find Tramadol a good pain reliever for mod to severe pain. It's ok for CKD according to my PCP and Neph. I've been on it 20 years for degenerative disk disease, Sclero, and a few other painful disorders.
Best of luck with the surgery. Make sure the anesthesiologist speaks with your Neph before surgery.
Oh I am glad tramadol helps you Sophie! I tried it and it is like nothing 
No effect whatsoever. Zip, zilch, nada. Dang nab it!
This is what a published study in Kidney Reasearch and Clinical Practice concluded.
"Acetaminophen is associated with a significantly increased risk of newly developing renal impairment in adults. Physicians who prescribe acetaminophen should be aware of potential adverse renal effects. A longitudinal study that further explores this association is warranted. "
I've taken gabapentin for crushed spinal vertebrae. My nephrologist said 300 mg per day is max recommended dose for those on dialysis. I had tried to switch PD. For several weeks I felt worse and worse was admitted to hospital with creatinine of 18. They did continued exchanges for 36 hours. I was zonked. Creatinine went to 24. Meanwhile staff did not hold the gabapentin. By the time I had in hospital hemodialysis treatment I had horrible tremors in my whole body. Overdose is possible. Another nephrologist I had said it was poppycock and prescribes 2400 mgs daily for many of his patients. I can only tell you my experience. Ive only taken as a dialysis patient so CKD 3 patient no experience. Blessings
Orangecity41, my husband has stage 4 CKD and takes 600mg of gabapentin nightly for chronic cough for the last 3 years with no problem. His nephrologist has never mentioned concerned over his use of the gabapentin. Hope all goes well with your surgery. You might check the “magnetic minds channel” on utube for pain relief. I have found that listening to it for 90+ minutes daily helps relieve some of my pain from compression fractures in lumbar area.
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