Alternatives to gabapentin

[saxrous]

Hi. I've just joined. I had a stroke in sept 2019 and since then have been struggling with terrible neuropathic pain. I take 1800mg of gabapentin every day. Its a horrible drug and doesnt really work. Any suggestions for a more natural pain killer?

[Hidden]

Hi there, I was same as you I tried gabapentin and stopped and tried pregablin which is from the same family as gabapentin and helped a bit better , also codeine phosphate is a good one but I had to take half of it with paracetamol as I was constipated so I took kapake which as half of each in , but everyone is different . Good luck.

[saxrous in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it

[cyberbarn]

Not all drugs work the same for all people. So it will be worth going back to the person that gave you the prescription and discuss it with them. There are several alternatives that work differently and may work better for you.

[saxrous in reply to cyberbarn]

Thanks for the reply

[BLC90]

I’ve spent 5 years chasing every combination of medication and dosages. For me personally, less seems to be more. Cymbalta didn’t work in high doses, not did gaba or any others. Only 20 mg of cymbalta (lowest dose) in AM and 50 MG of pregabalin In PM have worked wonders!!!

[Konagirl60]

You need a good nerve pain modulator. Have you tried Nortriptyline or Amytriptyline?

What about Compounded Ketamine pills?

[HaddenHill]

Hi there

Try pregabalin it helps me.

[Cmh59]

I take 300 mg gabapentin 3 times a day. It is great for Fibromyalgia pain. I also helps with the nerve damage from a knee replacement. You may have to work with the dosage strength. It does have a tendency to make you very sleepy.

The only thing that I have successfully used for inflammation in an over the counter supplement is Turmeric, Ginger. Curcumin. I believe that you can find at most drug stores, sometimes it has bromelain/pineapple in it too. These are anti-inflammatory supplements. Nerve damage is tricky. If you are dealing with chronic pain, you would be better off to see a pain management may be able help you with a nerve block.

[theresa38 in reply to Cmh59]

Hello am new, what kind of nerve block is there.

[Katerina1]

Hello, Gabapentin even at over 2000 did not work at all for my neuropathic pain. I find Pregabalin takes the edge of it. Settled for a low dose. Although a high dose worked wonders I couldn't keep awake. Occasional small amount of codeine at night works really well for me. A pain clinic should be able to help explore what your options are, although unfortunately those options limited with neuropathic pain. I have struggled with it for over seven years now.

[RonSton7]

Neuropathic pain seems to be a really difficult pain to treat, and I know what you mean about gabapentin. I'm on 3600mg a day and initially the side effects at much lower initial doses were horrendous.

Medication wise some say pregabalin is better than gabapentin. Another option is amitriptyline. Everyone responds differently so if one isn't working, speak to your doc about alternatives.

If you are looking for natural options then I find curcumin of some benefit. I also take a CBD/CBG oil which again has some benefit. I find a TENS machine useful but it only really works whilst I wear it.

If at all possible try to keep some level of fitness as I believe I read a study showing better blood flow and oxygenation being important in preventing deterioration of further nerve damage.

[saxrous in reply to RonSton7]

Thanks for that. I use CBD oil, but it is very expensive. Its hard isn't it

[Ventorist11]

HI there..what is it that is so horrible about Gabapentin, can you elaborate?. I'm interested. Thanks.

[saxrous]

I use it for neuropathic pain, after a stroke. It doesn't work, I still spend my life in pain. It is a brain suppressor. I feel drugged the whole time, my world is a blur. Suicidal thoughts as well.

Surely there is a better alternative

[Monty40]

Have u tryd cannabis CBD,if u get correct contact with good quality give that a try..it beats taken 6.300mg daily

[cj75s]

Hi there. I've been taking gaba for about 4yrs now. Started off on 1000mgs per day and it didn't work so doc put me up to 2000. That hardly worked so now on 3000mgs per day plus 500 - 1000mgs of naproxin. I find this dulls the pain enough to do things around the house if I'm careful in how I move and take good rest breaks. Gaba is good but you need that extra something to boost the pain killing.Let your docs know how it is. Get them to try you on a good combo.

Hope you get it good someday. Living with chronic nerve pain everyday is a bummer and can get you really depressed.

Take care.