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Has Gabapentin helped anyone out there?
Neuropathy | Last Active: Jun 24 8:35am | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
I am not sure why I was prescribed Gabapentin and Pregabalin. Are they only for pain relief or do they stop or slow the advance of Neuropathy?
They have had no effect at all on me. Maybe that is because I have never had pain; just numbness, pins and needles, stiffness and stumbling. Drugs with so many side effects need to be taken with caution and I am considering asking my doctor to stop prescribing them.
Replies to "I am not sure why I was prescribed Gabapentin and Pregabalin. Are they only for pain..."
Hi Zaph, I have had neuropothy for 8 yrs now. I started with just slight numbness in feet. Progressed to burning, tingling and occasional stabbing pain in inner thigh area. The stabbing pain in thigh area started to become more frequent. Decided it was time to start Gabapentin ( I held off for 8 yrs. I take 1 100mg in am and 200mg in pm. I was shocked, no more burning or tingling at night! I am hoping that the stabbing pain is getting the message also. I have not had the stabbing pain since starting the regiment.I have been on it 5 days now. If you do not have pain, I would stay away from gabapentin as long as possible. It only masks the nerve pain, burning and tingling.I have been told, no cure for this disease. I also have bad balance which I am going to PT for, this is now my chief complaint. Best wishes to you, keep moving, exercise and try to stay away from Gabapentin.
@zaph @allegheny I, too, have taken Gabapentin. The lowest dose is 300 mg/day which I understand can be taken 3 times a day or 100mg each time or a variation of 200mg + 100mg daily. Most take it for neuropathy as it helps those painful moments. Before I took it, my Mayo neurologist had me take a EMG test which deals with muscles and nerve stimulation. I don't believe I would be taking any Gabapentin without first being tested, and there are various tests that are given. For the long term, this is not my drug of choice because of potential future side effects, so I chose to stop. Sometimes, you have to learn to live with this, but I do get my EMG test done annually to make sure it has not become worse. Fast forward a few years later where I had severe itching on my face and scalp, primarily, the nose, ears, eyes, and head. My Mayo dermatologist prescribed Gabapentin 3 times a day at the lowest dose, and it helped. I stopped after a week, but the itching is still there, but not as severe. The point to all of this is when you have pain, especially when it is long term, check with you doc to see if there is another solution by taking more advanced tests.
Gabapentin has done wonders for me. I had terrible pain, swelling and pins and needles. I take 600mg twice daily.
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I mean no disrespect, but perhaps you should ask your doctor why the drugs were prescribed and if they are not working what alternatives are available.