Gabapentin and stomach ulcers

[Buuldog]

Hi I am male who has been diagnosed with Pudendal nerve damage, this has been long term some 30 years or more, the diagnosis has only been in the last 4 years.

I have always been reluctant about taking medications believing that they all have some side affects however as things have got worse I bit the bullet and started on Gabapentin about 4 months ago. Unfortunately since taking this drug I have developed stomach ulcers and gastritis for which I am now having to take PPI medications. The Gabapentin has helped but at what cost, does anyone recognize this as an issue and if so what did you do to remedy or mitigate the side affects of Gabapentin, I have researched side affects of Gabapentin but Ulcers are not listed, however I am sure that it has been the cause of my stomach ulcers.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I have an appointment with my doctor next week and would like to be armed with any idea's that will enable me to take the pain medication without destroying my stomach.

[Hidden]

Hi there,I know how you must be feeling,but if you've researched for yourself,I would be inclined to think,that just maybe,your believing it's the Gabapentin in your mind. Now don't get me wrong,I've been taking Pregablin for 10yrs,I think it's like a sister to gabapentin,and recently my GP told me it's now a listed drug,like Diazapam/Temazapam. So there's obviously some reason for that,I'm yet to find out,I never thought at the time to ask,I was more concerned about withdrawing from it,as I feel it's doing no good.

So my advice would be,if it worries you,you really ought to go armed with as much info as possible,and don't be put off,it's your body and you want answers. Also you worrying about taking it,will only make your ulcers give you more pain. So get that stress out.

[Alaine1 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

The pregabalin and gabapentin are both controlled drugs as they are abused by some patients and those who don’t need it to get a feeling of euphoria. I’ve attached a link from NHS England that provides further information. I hope this helps

england.nhs.uk/south/wp-con...

[Ala2189]

Hello. I have something similar. Female though. Symptoms for 20 years. Was taking pain medication. Opiates, amitryptyline, gabapentin. Terrible stomach problems and feeling completely zombiefied. Now getting BV, Utis yeast etc. Female doc wants swab with every antibiotic, even though we all know they are highly inaccurate. Cow. Leaving me in pain.

I have found relief with topical treatments, lidocaine mostly. I believe there are topical creams with gabapentin, ketamine, amitryptyline, but Swindon being Swindon, I can't get hold of them.

The saving grace for me has been TENS.

Good luck

[JH19 in reply to Ala2189]

How do you use Tens?

[Ala2189 in reply to JH19]

I do abnegate all responsibility.

Here goes. For pelvic nerve pain poss caused by pelvic floor problems.

Tens machine for pelvic floor strengthening with vulvadynia setting, with vaginal probe.

Build up slowly on low setting. Use sparingly, but when you do, take to feeling of almost discomfort, but not pain. Cannot be used in certain circumstances. Read up on it

Good luck

[JH19 in reply to Ala2189]

Thanks lots

[Ala2189 in reply to JH19]

Found even better way. Neuromodulation like docs do, but without the piercing of skin electrode. Going for sacral nerve plexus. 2 Tens pads, one either side of ankle bone, so that you can feel tingling in foot and big toe fans up. Working like magic. Acupuncture in that area would probs work too. Tens like electrical acupuncture

[Konagirl60]

There is an ongoing class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of Gabapentin in the United States.

I knew within two of taking it that I couldn’t continue using it. I felt too tired...like a zombie and I didn’t feel safe driving my car. I quit it and endured terrible pain.

[Hidden]

Have you tried drinking some 'raw unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar' to reduce the acidity of your stomach?

Because I have a large hiatal hernia, I need to keep the acidity of my stomach down, as the acid will just shoot up my throat. Over the last few years, I have got my acid reflux under control by following this daily regime......Every morning I add 1 tbsp acv to a large glass of water and drink throughout the day (has to be raw unfiltered acv). I drink with a straw to protect the enamel on my teeth! Then to protect the lining of my stomach and oesophagus, I take slippery elm, as it leaves a mucilage on the lining.

This has worked for me but please do your own research.

All the best to you.

[fsmith9095]

Hello-

I have not had stomach ulcers related to Gabapentin. Although, the nature of the damage to my spine ( T6-T7) causes stomach issues so its difficult to know if I would be experiencing any issues caused by the medication. If the digestive distress was caused by the medication, it would be masked by the overall spinal cord injury.

The Gabapentin does take the edge off the pain somewhat, so I suppose stomach issues may be an unfortunate trade off.

But to answer your question, no, I don't believe stomach issues are something caused by Gabapentin.

I hope this helps.

Frank

[Buuldog]

Thanks for all of the replies I have seen the doctor and he is booking me in for some injections to freeze the nerve. I am going to continue with the Gabapentin, it seems that this is the only action open to me at the moment. I hope that you are all having a good day, this really is a nasty illness.

[kalecolbe12 in reply to Buuldog]

I know it's 5 months since this post but I was wondering if you got the nerve Frozen and did it work?

[Buuldog]

Hi Kalecolbe I went for the nerve block but the pain consultant was not confident that it would improve my situation instead he referred me to the UCH for a second opinion. Under the NHS this takes a long time therefore I have not progressed at all.

I am currently looking into physio as a way of finding some relief, I do feel that muscle tension has a part to play for all of us with pelvic pain. The trouble with the NHS is that everything takes so long, while you wait for an appointment your life is slipping away and you sink further into disablement.