Gabapentin

[Whitegate]

Gabapentin is said to be the most dangerous drug in America". I need it to treat damaged spinal nerves at L3. My ortho-surgeon advisies to cut the dose from the present 300mg daily. Any experiences, please?

[Whitegate]

The word is taken from one of several Googled reports of side effects of Gabapental.

[Newby31]

I was in gabapentin and then pregabalin for months and it helped my nerve pain radiating from my spine down my legs and feet, however they made my weight go up 3 and a half stone which aggravated my knee arthritis and the side effects were awful... blurred vision, loss of memory and speech. I came off it but now I am back with chronic nerve pain. Not sure what to advise other than if you continue to take it , try to manage on lowest dose possible. I am searching for an alternative myself.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I was given Lyrica - pregabalin a few months ago for nerve problems with my hand. It fixed my hand fairly well but the side effects were bad for me so I phased it out and stopped.

After a while my physio suggested asking the doctor for gabapentin which I did. . It wasn’t as good for the hand and I still felt bad so in the end I gave up on that too. I came to the conclusion that gabas just didn’t suite me.

Like you I was very worried about taking it - my big worry was that I become addicted to it. Perhaps that’s why your surgeon wants you too cut back. There is masses online about people who wish they had never started on it but who can’t get off it.

Even my short time with the Lyrica had me thinking I might get rid of the hand pain if I took even more of it, which along with the other side effects scared me.

[Vonnie10]

I tried them asea ago made me feel to weird but they may suit you I seem to react to things badly

[64notout]

I take Gabapentin 900mg daily for fibromyalgia. So far, about 3years, no side effects. Good luck

[Kels1974]

It didn't work for my back pain

[Mmrr]

I was prescribed gabapentin whilst waiting to be seen by rheumatology 4 years ago, it made me dizzy, nauseous and unsteady on my feet. I only took them for a few days and was changed to pregabalin but had similar issues. I decided the pain, was much easier to manage without the side effects of the medication.

[Debbieanne49]

Hi, I've been on Gabapentin for a few years and the only side effect I experience is sleepiness which is fine at night cos it helps with the pain. The only problem is that for it to be really effective through the day I would have to take the same dose which would mean that I would spend about 20 hours a day asleep! Good at night but still looking for an effective daytime painkiller! Xx

[Whitegate in reply to Debbieanne49]

Thanks Debbie what dos are you on, please-?

[Whitegate in reply to Debbieanne49]

Is it a back problem like mine?

[Tezzaa]

Hi Ajay, I take lot of different medication and one of them is gabepentin. My dose is 3600mg daily which is 3 x 300mg 4 times a day. Not that clued up on doses but is that high. Cheers

[Deeb1764]

Did it work for you never did anything for me I seem to not react to some many drugs

[Deeb1764]

No pregablin did not work either. Its interesting to see what drugs work for others on RA.

[Deeb1764]

No wont touch fentynal and done tramadol with no effect so wait till I see consultant

[234Anonimity]

I was prescribed Gabapentin by my psychiatrist initially. 100 3x day. Went to my GP for relief for nerves burning and he upped it to 300 3x day. I am off of this drug. I believe it has caused me to suffer side effects of thinning hair. Been over a month with problem. Does anyone know if it will stop?

[Whitegate in reply to 234Anonimity]

Sorry- no link to back injury