Gabapentin

[Christy_R]

Just got the medicine today and wondering how much it's worked or not for others dealing with arthritis. I'm on 80mg 3 times a day. We've had so many weather changes this last month that I'm continually flaring and nothing is working so I hope this does...thanks for listening. Christy

[nomoreheels]

Morning Christy. My GP prescribed them for me I started on 200mg 3 x daily (600mg) & over a few weeks I increased the dose to 600mg 3 x daily (1800mg) but unfortunately they didn't do anything for my neurological pain. What they did do was cause problems with memory, I'd struggle to remember what happened only a few hours before never mind the week before! At the time I was the main driver as my h was recovering from an op & it was when he said I wasn't driving like my normal self, taking unnecessary risks, that is when I decided (with my GP's agreement) to start tapering off them which I did over three weeks. But, as normal, we're all different & react differently so you may find they help, many do.

[Christy_R in reply to nomoreheels]

I hate that you had to go through that...again it's all trial and error with this disease and it gets frustrating! Take care-Christy

[Smiler53]

Hi, I'm on 3 x 900mg (2700mg) a day and quite honestly I don't think they are doing anything for my RA/OA and Chronic RLS problems. Although others have said the are great for them. Plus, as NMH said, you get this terrible "Brain Fog" which I hate as I was always so on the ball!

I really hope you are one of the lucky others that it works wonders for. Good luck. x

[Christy_R in reply to Smiler53]

Thanks for your response...just want some relief which I know you understand! Christy

[Jeanabelle60]

Hello Christy, I had to be weened onto 900mg per day over a period of weeks as I wasn't able to get off the sofa I found them so strong.

I am also being weened off Prednisolone and am down to just 1mg at present. I am now back to where I was pre diagnoses, my entir body is in pain.

I have played about with times to take this med as it is either far to slow to release or they simply just don't work. At present I'm setting my clock to take my first of 3 doses at 6.30 and then at 14.00 and then at about 22.00. I get a slight relief but nothing like I was told to expect.

Even with such a high dosage I have had to hire someone to take my two dogs for walks and get my granddaughter to come to my house to clean it for me as I'm,for all intense and purposes, unable to go about my normal day.......in other words they are useless......IMHO.

Really negative I know Christy but I hope you get some relief from the as they seem to be the drug of choice these days. I have a brother in the States and he was prescribed them for severe back pain but he didn't find them much good either. I wish you all the best, Jean.

[Christy_R in reply to Jeanabelle60]

I think that it's horrible that this disease makes us go through all of these trial and errors. I'm like you...you're trying your best to be a bit like you where and nothing has worked. Hopefully I'll have some luck with this but from all I've heard I doubt it. Thanks so much for your message! Christy

[Jeanabelle60 in reply to Christy_R]

No problem, good luck. J

[Martinilady]

Its hard to tell which pills are responsible for which side effects. I take Gabapentin, Tramadol and Paracetamol, when I was ill and couldn't keep my meds down, or if I'm late taking my dose of Tramadol I get restless leg syndrome but all over my body. I told my Rheumy nurse and she said "that's not due to the Tramadol speak to your Doctor", which I did, he just poo poo'd it. When I asked if I could possibly reduce the amount of Tramadol I'm taking he said "if you want to - its your call".

So I don't know which pills are causing the "forgetfulness" like you Nomoreheels and Smiler53 I have trouble remembering and a bit of a foggy brain. I used to be spot on with everything, it doesn't help at all with my job as an Administrator.

[nomoreheels in reply to Martinilady]

Hiya Martinlady. There is condition which is akin to all-over body restless leg syndrome, it's akathisia or serotonin syndrome & there has been a connection with missed or delayed dosing of tramadol. It might be worth a quick rootle round & see if you recognise the symptoms, see if they're similar to your own? If so maybe your GP needs to be a bit more positive with his input & if you need to (or want to) ask if he'll suggest a safe tapering plan. It's not something I'd like to experience.

[Marykate7 in reply to Martinilady]

Hi Martinlady. Don't know much about Gabapentin but I do know that if Tramadol dose is late I get terrible restless legs syndrome all over as well. This stops me from sleeping and then I'm exhausted as well as in pain. So take no notice of your doctor. Hope the tablets help you and you feel better soon. X

[Martinilady in reply to Marykate7]

Oh thank you so much, you have put my mind at rest (if you know what I mean). Its good to hear on this site from people who understand and share the same experiences. thank you.

[Martinilady]

Thank you so much for the info - I will certainly investigate this. X

[marie66]

Hi I'm using gabapentin it helps really well with pain particularly neck & shoulder so I'm sticking with it. I was as high as 1600mgs daily but currently self manage and dependant on pain I'm using between 600 & 900mgs daily. I think when it works it works well! M x

[Christy_R in reply to marie66]

Thanks for the positive response! I'm glad it's helping you when it decides too I'm just starting all of these new meds and it's great to get people's input. Take care! Christy

[pip12]

I was taking Tramadol and suffered the restless leg syndrome too. I stopped taking them and now on Morphine Oral and Co-Codamol when the pain gets unbearable. Do not suffer with the restless legs anymore, so I definitely think it was related to taking Tramadol.