Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

Posted by cwallen9 @cwallen9, Apr 16, 2019

I started getting peripheral neuropathy pain about nine months ago in my feet and hands right after I received a cervical steroid injection. I started taking gabapentin about 7 months ago. I have gradually increased my dose from 100 mg a day to 1500 mg. I can't say that it has decreased my pain at all. In fact, my pain has gotten steadily worse. I was just wondering if it is possible that gabapentin can sometimes make neuropathy pain worse. My EMG and biopsy results are negative for short fiber neuropathy so far.

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@marc11

I have Charcot Marie Tooth disease, which is a peripheral neuropathy, and I cannot tolerate gabapentin well. It makes me groggy and off-balance, most of the antidepressants and epileptic medications people have mention also sedate AND cause restless leg syndrome. My main problem is nighttime pain which leads to insomnia. I take 1mg of clonazepam at bedtime, but it does work for the whole night. I used to taken Norco also a couple hours before bed and the combination worked quite well for me. Then everything changed and I moved to a new state and no one will prescribe an opioid drug while I’m on clonazepam. Does anyone have experience with be refused drugs that worked well together—I took the Norco/ clonazepam combo for 12 years.

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Welcome @marc11, It must be frustrating to say the least that you can't get the treatment that worked to provide relief from your nighttime neuropathy pain after moving to a new state. There is another discussion where members are sharing what has helped them with the nighttime pain.
--- Neuropathy Pain at Night: What helps?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/night-pain-2/

Another source of help might be the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy in case you haven't already seen the website - https://www.foundationforpn.org/treatments/.

Have you looked into any alternative treatments to help with the nighttime pain?

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I am one of those individuals as well. I've weened myself off once again. When my back messes up I'll start taking it because my foot pain and the "humming" I feel from my hips to my ankles is so disruptive! Every time it'll get worse despite trips to the chiropractor, tens unit, ice packs, walking. When I come of of it, it starts improving.

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I am fairly certain I read a post about someone's neuropathy feeling worse after taking gabapentin. I didn't take a night time dose and did not experience the burning and shooting pain that I usually experience after taking the med. Initially I thought it was that whole thing about pain getting worse at night. Anyone experience anything similar? I haven't found anything online about it. I also experience the psychological side effects of increased depression and agitation. I thought I was losing my mind!

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@cocokoohlah24

I am fairly certain I read a post about someone's neuropathy feeling worse after taking gabapentin. I didn't take a night time dose and did not experience the burning and shooting pain that I usually experience after taking the med. Initially I thought it was that whole thing about pain getting worse at night. Anyone experience anything similar? I haven't found anything online about it. I also experience the psychological side effects of increased depression and agitation. I thought I was losing my mind!

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Welcome, @cocokoohlah24.
I think you may be referring to this discussion:
- Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-gabapentin-make-neuropathy-pain-worse/

How long have you been taking gabapentin? Did you talk to your doctor about your wosening symptoms?

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@colleenyoung

Welcome, @cocokoohlah24.
I think you may be referring to this discussion:
- Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-gabapentin-make-neuropathy-pain-worse/

How long have you been taking gabapentin? Did you talk to your doctor about your wosening symptoms?

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I've been on it for a few years. I haven't spoken to the dr yet because it seems the physical symptoms were gradually getting worse at night over the past week. The emotional has been going on for while but that too has increased in intensity. I plan on calling after the holiday, but I am leary. I don't want my concerns to be dismissed.

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@cocokoohlah24

I've been on it for a few years. I haven't spoken to the dr yet because it seems the physical symptoms were gradually getting worse at night over the past week. The emotional has been going on for while but that too has increased in intensity. I plan on calling after the holiday, but I am leary. I don't want my concerns to be dismissed.

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@cocokoohlah24, I don't think you are alone about feeling a little leary when talking with doctors. What helps me is to write down questions I have and plan my conversation with the doctor before I have it. If you want to give it a try, here's a site with some helpful information - https://www.patientrevolution.org/tools.

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@johnbishop

@cocokoohlah24, I don't think you are alone about feeling a little leary when talking with doctors. What helps me is to write down questions I have and plan my conversation with the doctor before I have it. If you want to give it a try, here's a site with some helpful information - https://www.patientrevolution.org/tools.

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Thank you John.

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I agree. Gabapentin does nothing but make me dizzy. A fall risk. I take Tramadol
100mg at bedtime ,With relief.

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When I had pain in my back my doctor switched me from gabapentin to pregabalin. It may work better because I only have to take it twice a day instead of three. I often was late on the middle dose.
It has helped the peripheral neuropathy in my feet caused by chemo. I'm 82.

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@raebaby

When I had pain in my back my doctor switched me from gabapentin to pregabalin. It may work better because I only have to take it twice a day instead of three. I often was late on the middle dose.
It has helped the peripheral neuropathy in my feet caused by chemo. I'm 82.

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Pregabalin is my miracle drug. Take one about “dark thirty” ( it’s such a mystery that my pain can tell time). I take another about 9:30 and lately I have not had a lot of nighttime spasms. I have a very rare disease called arachnoiditis. Without a doubt, there are people on this site who have it and have no idea. I have yet to find a doctor in Louisiana who has even heard of it. I was diagnosed at Duke. Currently there is no cure and no real treatment plan.

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