1. < Fibromyalgia

Anyone tried Gabapentin for Fibromyalgia?

Posted by ripley @ripley, Oct 18, 2023

I've had fibromyalgia for almost two years. Each flare seems to get progressively worse. I'm trying to figure out what medication to try with the least amount of side effects and withdrawal issues. Has anyone tried Gabapentin? If so, what was your experience?

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ripley | @ripley | Jun 13 11:05am
In reply to @dart0207 "My doctor has started me on gabapentin which with being mixed with voltaren has made my..." + (show)
@dart0207

My doctor has started me on gabapentin which with being mixed with voltaren has made my pain manageable most of the time however I have not found it to help with my sleep.

Jump to this post

How much gabapentin did you start with? What has been your experience with it since then? My Dr just prescribed 100mg 3x a day. I'm wondering if that's enough to make a difference as far as pain relief. Thanks.

REPLY
ripley | @ripley | Jun 13 11:08am
In reply to @ginger49 "Gabapentin didn’t help." + (show)
@ginger49

Gabapentin didn’t help.

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What dose did you take?

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ripley | @ripley | Jun 13 11:54am

My Dr just prescribed Gabapentin for my fibromyalgia pain -- 100mg 3x a day. She said I could take this on an "as needed" basis. Has anyone had success with pain relief at this dose? My Dr seemed to think this low dose would be helpful. Thanks.

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katcollins | @katcollins | Jun 14 9:32pm
In reply to @ironspjmom "My Dr prescribed it for my arthritis in my knees. It does nothing for that. Taking..." + (show)
@ironspjmom

My Dr prescribed it for my arthritis in my knees. It does nothing for that. Taking it every night does not ward off flare ups but once I have a flare it calms it in three days. First day half the pain second day half again and third day it’s usually gone.

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Hello,

I have been on it for her a year. It helps tremendously but I have gained a lot of weight from it. I am also noticing a lot of water retention recently. Unfortunately I have to lower my dose due to these side effects. It really has helped my nerve pain and also my fibromyalgia and migraines.
Kat

REPLY
2 replies
ripley | @ripley | Jun 15 10:36am
In reply to @katcollins "Hello, I have been on it for her a year. It helps tremendously but I have..." + (show)
@katcollins

Hello,

I have been on it for her a year. It helps tremendously but I have gained a lot of weight from it. I am also noticing a lot of water retention recently. Unfortunately I have to lower my dose due to these side effects. It really has helped my nerve pain and also my fibromyalgia and migraines.
Kat

Jump to this post

What dose of gabapentin were you taking? How much do you intend to lower your dose? Thanks.

REPLY
1 reply
katcollins | @katcollins | Jun 15 2:28pm
In reply to @ripley "What dose of gabapentin were you taking? How much do you intend to lower your dose?..." + (show)
@ripley

What dose of gabapentin were you taking? How much do you intend to lower your dose? Thanks.

Jump to this post

I was on 300mg x3 times a day. Then I dropped down to 100mg x2 times a day and 300mg at night. Now I am at 100mg x3 times a day. I am in considerably more pain and I’m trying to decide if it is worth it.

Kat

REPLY
2 replies
ripley | @ripley | Jun 15 9:57pm
In reply to @katcollins "I was on 300mg x3 times a day. Then I dropped down to 100mg x2 times..." + (show)
@katcollins

I was on 300mg x3 times a day. Then I dropped down to 100mg x2 times a day and 300mg at night. Now I am at 100mg x3 times a day. I am in considerably more pain and I’m trying to decide if it is worth it.

Kat

Jump to this post

So, the 300mg dose 3x a day did help with pain relief? It sounds like doses lower than that did not help? Did it help you sleep at all, because I struggle with that as well as pain? Did you have any other side effects other than weight gain and water retention? Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
1942marilyne. Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Jun 16 10:58am
In reply to @katcollins "I was on 300mg x3 times a day. Then I dropped down to 100mg x2 times..." + (show)
@katcollins

I was on 300mg x3 times a day. Then I dropped down to 100mg x2 times a day and 300mg at night. Now I am at 100mg x3 times a day. I am in considerably more pain and I’m trying to decide if it is worth it.

Kat

Jump to this post

I tried it but felt depressed and quit. Now on dexamethasone 1 mg bid for pmr and do8ng really good. Was on prednisone for 3 1/2 years off of it. Just one month so still evaluating results

REPLY
1942marilyne. Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Jun 16 10:59am
In reply to @ripley "So, the 300mg dose 3x a day did help with pain relief? It sounds like doses..." + (show)
@ripley

So, the 300mg dose 3x a day did help with pain relief? It sounds like doses lower than that did not help? Did it help you sleep at all, because I struggle with that as well as pain? Did you have any other side effects other than weight gain and water retention? Thank you.

Jump to this post

I quit felt depressed

REPLY
1942marilyne. Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Jun 16 11:01am
In reply to @katcollins "Hello, I have been on it for her a year. It helps tremendously but I have..." + (show)
@katcollins

Hello,

I have been on it for her a year. It helps tremendously but I have gained a lot of weight from it. I am also noticing a lot of water retention recently. Unfortunately I have to lower my dose due to these side effects. It really has helped my nerve pain and also my fibromyalgia and migraines.
Kat

Jump to this post

I think it helped but. Quit due to feeling depressed. On dexamethasone 1 mg bid for a month much better pmr but need longer evaluation time

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