gabapentin and muscle pain

Justin - What is myofascial pain? It would be good, I think, to describe pain/symptoms, etc.. in terms new people can relate to a little easier. The same goes for medical acronyms. Believe me I do understand the need for a bit of shorthand in dealing with medical terminology but I guess I'm not medically savvy enough to get my license just yet. When seeing my dr. I ask him/her to explain specifics of a diagnosis using terms I could more easily understand and in that regard, I could then answer his questions more accurately. I don't think my illness has ever been "named" anything but has been treated like neuropathy so I guess that's what it is. Maybe charting people's explanations of symptoms, diagnosis, likely cause, prescribed medications, home and homeopathic remedies, and a column for effective, non-effective - side effects etc. and then see which category we all might best fit. Just a suggestion but honestly, there's so much information, it's difficult to see what applies and what doesn't.

My myofacial pain is in my hand, but I think this could work anywhere on the body. I roll a golf ball in my hand. There are some great you tube videos of how to do myofacial release on your own.

Cymbalta put me in the emergency room. Pain so bad. How is it that we are all wired so Differently?

Great observation mfobrien36. I, like you, also get lost in all of the medical terminology and acronyms. When I come across something that I am not sure of or haven't heard a lot about I always defer to mayoclinic.org as my first resource for information. A definition of myofascial pain from the experts can be found here http://mayocl.in/2e09pIn. Like you mentioned, there is a lot of information out there, and Connect is a place where patients share their experiences and knowledge on various topics, but I do agree that it is hard to know what applies and what doesn't with such a wide range of topics being discussed. Input and further discussion is always welcome, thank you.

I asked my nurse practicineer about the possibility that the gabapetin was causing my muscle pain. She looked it up in her little computer and said it was about two percent so I guess something else must be going on here. Whatever it is I'm sure it's hereditary. My mother had this and my grandmother. I remember the ridicule my grandmother had to endure because they couldn't find the cause of her pain. I won't go on and on, but it was bad. Things haven't really changed that much.

@mfobrien36 and @JustinMcClanahan - THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION -'WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL PAIN?' AND FOR THE RECOMMENDATION TO READ THE MAYO CLINIC ARTICLE ON MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME http://mayocl.in/2e09pIn . I've printed it out & will take to the PT next visit. There are some recommendations that we haven't explored in Physical Therapy.

Below is MY OWN - not anyone else's - description of MY Myofascial Pain-what I experience & what the diagnosing physician described to me. Because we're all unique, others experience this in a uniquely different manner.

{The pain originates in the Latissimus Dorsi muscle (the large muscles in your back), & radiates through my back, on the R side, extending around to my ribs. In fact, my initial complaint was Rib Pain. I'd never heard of Myofascial Pain until this year. Nothing showed up on an MRI. The Neurologist who diagnosed me said the muscle is 'tight' & 'bound up' by the Fascia, affecting the nerves & causing the pain.}

I'm starting to see some of the factors that make this Syndrome so frustrating; it's not something each patient experiences the same way; it affects different parts of the body; there isn't any one specific treatment for Myofascial Pain Syndrome. I guess that's why it's called a Syndrome. Not all doctors are well-versed re this condition, so you might have to visit more than one physician before obtaining a correct diagnosis. I've mentioned before that mine was initially MISDIAGNOSED as Shingles Neuralgia by a Board-Certified Rheumatologist. She handed me off to a Neurologist who figured it out.

Here's something else I haven't seen in this discussion re Myofascial Pain. The reason I was referred to a Rheumatologist was abnormal results in the RHEUMATOID FACTOR TEST in my blood workup.

Has anyone else had this show up in their blood work? I'm trying to come up w/ something those of us who have this condition might have in common.

Any thoughts? Susan
username @sistergoldenhair

After reading this, I may need to speak to my care team and see if I have myofascial pain in my upper back and not only fibromyalgia. Thanks!

Hi my name is Janie56. I am a new member. I also have Myo. I have had it for about five years. I have went through saline injections with no relief. I'm on endocette and oxycodone daily. Still having pain. Been to chiropractor and have had acupuncture. Right now I am doing self hypnosis. Believe it or not,it is relaxing the nerves and muscles and I am having some relief. I also take cymbalta for the last five years. I have never tried gabapentin.

Hello my name is Flor I have used gapapentin for my restless legs an i did not work. After a week of using it All my body was restless. What I do now I am using a gel on my feet called Facicam it is fot muscle pain and that helps plus. trasodone for a good nght sleep. Hope it helps . Take care Flor

i see nothing to indicate that you have seen even one neurologist or had tests done. If you read the Mayo Clinic or Webmd you will find that gabapentin is NOT for RL syndrome.