Gabapentin side effects?

I am a cancer survivor with neuropothy and pain caused by scoliosis caused by my cancer surgery. I recieve Dilaudid and oxycodone as part of my palliative care. That classification makes it possible and easier for the doctor to do. I have,an intrathcal pump which delivers the Dilaudid directly to my spinal fluid in tiny amounts. It is about 100 to 300 times more effective than oral dosing and has no side effects. Search these chats for me, wsh66, I've written extensively about the pump. It is what makes my lie bearable.

I take Lyrica at might (not in the day because it makes me sleepy) and gabapentin during the day (it doesn't make me sleepy). My pain specialist doctor said that we have to take it for awhile before it is effective. He also said that they are anti-seizure medications - they only help people who have epilepsy or neuropathy. They calm down the nervous system so that it pauses sending out false pain messages (pain killers kill any pain anywhere in the body, anti-seizure meds don't do that). When I feel like I'm standing in a bonfire being burned alive while a swarm of wasps stings my arms but - there is no fire and no wasps anywhere - that's my nervous system sending false messages. It's supposed to tell me if I touch fire or a wasp stings me, it's not supposed to tell me that when it isn't. My nervous system is dying and misfiring. All old things and damaged things die and some of them misfire before they do. I hope researches find better meds for us, I do not not not want to take pain killers because they make me sleepy. PS: I wish politicians would quit practicing medicine without a license, my medications are getting harder and harder to get - pharmacists have interrogated me like I'm a criminal). Peggy

We have all become, "The Toxic Patient". (C) We are all cursed. I'm not taking this lying down. Watch for the coming essay under that title. I'm working on this. The worm has turned....

I will read with interest, Stephen. Do you have a plan of action? Peggy

I take 400mg 3 times a day for CRPS

To Stephen @wsh66 I'm sorry but I have to say something off track here. About Addiction. What is an addict in your definition is not on point. A person who takes pain meds to get high is an addict. But a legit pain patient who may or may not get high/euphoric effects from their medication is not or couldn't possibly become an addict over any time is not true. Addiction definition is the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity. It does not make someone taking a narcotic pain med daily as directed by their physician who takes less than or as much as label says according to your views to become an addict u must take street drug's to get you high feeling euphoria.
I'm sorry to have offended anyone. But the drug itself is not going to make u an addict, your actions of misuse or should I say abuse to use drugs for other reasons than what the medication is intended for.

However I will say I love most of your posts. They are written with thought & sheer experience on ur part. With that said keep in mind not all ppl who take CBD & Cannabis oil would agree w/ur Neurologist opinion of what works or doesn't.
Gabapentin has helped many ppl w/neuropathy such as comes w/diabetes or other types of nerve pains of pins & needles type feelings. Unfortunately even on 50mg it did nothing but make me sick and nauseous & I even ended up w/dizziness the type you get as if u consume too much alcohol. So no this medication is not for everyone. It's sad that we who suffer the most are treated as junkies. Blessings to all.

Addicts are very different from you and me. When I wake up in the morning, I'm thinking about what I'm going to do today, who will be there, what I need to take with me, what I should wear, and my breakfast. When an addict wakes up he thinks about 'how much do I have left from last night?' I grew up in the music business in Hollywood, I've worked with a lot of them. Lovely people when they're clean, and most are very smart, but using, they can't be counted on for anything. Plus: I take medicine so that I can go on living my life. Addicts take drugs so that they can escape their life. Peggy

@pfbacon I read what you had to say and the first movie popped into my head was Judy how she was so abused in the music business.

In US there a types of gabapentin .Neuotin Gabapentin is a type of 300mg capsules. It is most frequently used 1) to heal nerves 2) antiseizures (not for restless leg syndrome. Horizon Gabapintin is a product for 600mg pills that ARE for restless leg syndrome. I take the Neurotine 300mg (2) at night along with 2 of Ropinole(for restless leg syndrome (actual physical jerk). There is another Gabapintin that is more for Shingles.(herpes zoster). I have servere L-S pain and have had L-3-4 and C3-4 fusions. I live with constant pain unless in a recliner. So the questions is, what are you taking gabipentine for? The least strong pain medication is tramadol 50mg. I take it 2-3 tmes daily. I steer clear of sleeping pills. I got off of stronger hydrocordone pain meds. The minimum of some meds in combination seem to work the best for me.and others. I avoid any increases that might lead to augmentation( increrased pain from over use) Does this help? I am a retired Physical Therapist of 90 years old. I need a walker because of L-S that no one can help. Good luck. Question your Physician. Be pro-active. google and think of yourself.

@bill54321. Wow, thank you so much. That one paragraph is very helpful. You have described your situation and the differences in types of Gabapentin. I take 4.....300 mg capsules only at night In combination with medical cannabis. I think it is the best I can do right now. With a condition for which there is no cure, I just want to find a little joy in a day. The only way I can possibly do that is to be able to manage the pain and sleep at night. Distractions sure help and you have just got me thinking.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris