Bad reaction to gabapentin

[meggiemog]

I am just wanting to touch base with anyone else who has had this - I have only taken gabapentin 100mg 3 times a day for 3 days - and I have had to stop it as my body decided no way! I ended up with terrible pain in my arm - no swelling, but I have not been able to sleep for the last 2 nights and I couldn't do anything with my right hand, I couldn't even clench a fist or hold cutlery. Ended up seeing a out of hours GP as I couldn't bear the pain and ask if it was OK to discontinue these - glad he said yes - he said " you are having a rare reaction - stop it right away." I was put on these as I am waiting to see if they can remove a growth I have on my sciatic nerve - which causes a lot of neuro pain, and this was to help me cope in a potentially mid term period. It was tons worse than the neuro pain! I am now waiting to see what they advise next. I do know it won't be amitriptyline though, as that made me too spaced, tired and the nightmares were so upsetting! At least I have been given some codeine to help mean time - never had a problem with it - but I know the GPs have guidelines!

[Moreorless]

Hi Meggiemog

I can’t touch base with you but know that when I’m in pain, it is terrible. You sound as if you are having a bad time, do keep asking the medics if they can change your medications. I take amytriptyline at night to help with pain affecting my sciatic nerve damage following surgery. I have a friend who said it made her feel really bad. I also use gabapentin gel (10%) on my knee which has the effect of numbing the pain a bit. Both these are prescribed at the Pain Management Clinic at a local hospital. Hope this helps.

[meggiemog in reply to Moreorless]

Thank you Moreorless,I will be talking to the GP mid-week - I don't see surgeon for first visit for another 4 weeks, so I can't see anything changing really quickly. I have been surviving on about 4-5 hours sleep and working too - I found I was getting tearful and snappy, so I asked for some help - and I ended up having less sleep and more pain! I am just waiting to see how long it takes to get out of my system now. My arm is still weak and sore. The muscle pain is supposed to be quite a rare reaction to this med. I was told today that I can and should be taking codeine when the pain is this bad.

[Moreorless in reply to meggiemog]

Getting a good night sleep is critical to coping during the day. Try to pace yourself and do only what really needs to be done. Hope you don’t drive if you do especially of you are over- tired. Listen to relaxing music, warm bath before bed, try any strategy which may help/ work. Be really kind to yourself. Hope your GP can help mid week.

[Shazza400]

I used to take Gabapentin but it didn’t work for me so they switched me to Pregabalin and I’ve been fine on that. I take mine for neuropathy in my feet. Maybe you could ask if you can be switched to that?

[meggiemog in reply to Shazza400]

I am having a chat in a couple of days - going to see what they say. I have had a few meds not agree - so I am going to ask for a small trial of tablets opposed to a huge box like I have just been given!

[EternallyPainDriven]

Not so rare. Was same for me. Couldn't function with it, just felt drunk and pain relief was no better than paracetamol

[meggiemog in reply to EternallyPainDriven]

Was .more pain on it that not and that was just 8 doses of it!

[Konagirl60 in reply to EternallyPainDriven]

Same here. My body and brain could not tolerate it.

For natural pain relief try Curcumin, passionflower and Boswellia.

[Donebending]

If I recall when I was on this I started off on a very small does and built up over months, the side effects for me were as bad as the pain relief, it work but it switched off all my pain receptors causing numbness and destroyed my love life, it has taken me a long time to recover from the effects of that drug !

[meggiemog in reply to Donebending]

Was very quick with me. I just couldn't do anything with my arm. I was in agony!

[Trenholm]

I couldn’t cope with amitriptyline either. On 1 100mg tablet of gabapentin for nerve pain. Causes awful constipation. Doesn’t stop the pain just knocks me out for a few hours of sleep. Don’t know what the answer is.

[meggiemog in reply to Trenholm]

Yes I am thinking I need to rethink what to do. Meds and me are not great - although I don't have problems with propranolol they put me on for migraines- that has worked!

[AML80]

I find I cannot sleep if I am given Amitriptyline or similar Naproxen upset my kidneys. I have been given Buprenorphine which makes me itch. Last week I asked my Dr. for an alternative and she gave me Codeine which i have since discovered becomes Morphine in the body two tablets and the itching came back! I don't need to take painkillers all the time only when rest and my heat pad does not work and the pain is really bad. I am sorry you had such a nasty reaction but I thought my tale might help you to feel less alone. Please let us know what the Drs. suggest.

[meggiemog in reply to AML80]

I find I am ok with codeine- it works but they just don't like giving it anymore - as others have abused it. I have been given some for now - and that's ok - but who knows when I will get surgery is anyones guess

[Emma2017]

I could not handle amytriptiline either and was switched to gabapentin but had problems with my eyes on that so they switched me to pregabalin which was fine. I am taking dihydrocodeine at the same time which works better than codeine for me. Was on tramadol for a while which worked well but found the dihydrocodeine worked better. It’s hit and miss to find out what works best usually. Hope you can have the growth removed, nothing worse than nerve pain. My back leg sciatic pain was finally cured with a fusion. Am now struggling with the front leg pain which is caused by a higher up misbehaving disc. Good luck.

[meggiemog in reply to Emma2017]

I am willing to try anything within reason! Fortunately this med pain is wearing off in my arm - but my back is ramping it up again. Worked for nerve pain - but murdering my muscles!!!! I do have codeine for now so I await to see what is suggested next!

[Donebending]

I got onto a prescription cannabis medication which enabled me to get off my meds entirely, not to say it’s for everyone as it still carries a real social and legal stigma, unjust in my opinion but an option you could research, I wouldn’t recommend either way as it’s a very personal thing but my experience was life changing, the medical profession has a long way to go in accepting this type of medication in the UK even though it is now 100% legal. What ever you do best off luck.

[meggiemog]

Thanks Donebending,I'll consider it if my pain is going to turn into a long term thing - which at the moment I am really not sure! Muscle pain started to lift today - this past weekend was a total write off!

[Everydamnday]

Five of my chronic pain friends are tremendously helped by gabapentin. My doc thought it might help me, too, and I gave it a 3 week try. I had muscle spasms and what I can describe as painful electric-like tingling. I was so hoping it would work, since so many others are helped by it. Keep working with you doctors and nurses to find relief. Meanwhile, super gentle yoga and permit yourself to rest. Do not be fearful or anticipate side effects for next drug you try -- it will make known if it is not for you. Good luck

[meggiemog in reply to Everydamnday]

Got to try pregabalin now. Asked for a much smaller packet amount to try. I have tons of gabapentin to take back to pharmacist - I hate waste! At the moment i have to be careful exercise wise as the growth i have is in a fairly awkward position!

[Rocketman69]

Yes, it was the same for me. I only took 2 doses. Pain in my chest, shoulders and back mainly. I was supposed to be taking it for pain relief but it just made everything even worse. Doctor now has prescribed Amitriptyline instead but i'm not holding out much hope with that, especially in the short term.