HI,
First time posting.
I have Chronic Pain over my whole body due to Chronic Lyme disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, blood clots, etc.
The point is that I too felt totally out of it with loss of memory, "goofy" or stupid, etc. when first put on Gabapentin. Then my doctor switched me to Gralise which is the extended release Gabapentin.
I still have some memory loss or slowness, but I had that developing before I got on any of the drugs, I take 3x600mg a day (in the evening) which has relieved most of the side effects I got from Gabapentin and I feel it really helps me.
That being said, I think your goal should always be to reduce the amount of medications you take, and I am trying slowly.
I now have 2 pain stimulators (electronic pain blocker). One focusing on the pain from my waistline down and a DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) stimulator that is specifically working on my feet. Although it took 3 surgeons and 6 surgeries, the original pain stimulator now works along with the DRG stmulator (only needed one surgery) using "burst technology". I have had a lot of trouble getting them to get the units adjusted correctly and keeping it there, but when they both are working it takes my daily pain (at least from the waist down) from 7-8 down to 4-5 which is a huge difference in my life. Although I still cannot work, I am hopeful that someday I will be able to hold a job again.
I too have some questions about Gabapentin. I have been taking it for the after affects pf shingles 4 years ago.. The last month I have been having severe feet and leg cramps mostly at night. Could the Gabapentin be causing this? I also have chronic pain because of back problems. I have been told there is nothing that can be done. One July 17, 2017 I had the first of Medial Branch Nerve Block and will have the next on August 18. It has helped about 70% and I am hoping the next will help more. I also have restless leg syndrome.
HI,
First time posting.
I have Chronic Pain over my whole body due to Chronic Lyme disease, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, blood clots, etc.
The point is that I too felt totally out of it with loss of memory, "goofy" or stupid, etc. when first put on Gabapentin. Then my doctor switched me to Gralise which is the extended release Gabapentin.
I still have some memory loss or slowness, but I had that developing before I got on any of the drugs, I take 3x600mg a day (in the evening) which has relieved most of the side effects I got from Gabapentin and I feel it really helps me.
That being said, I think your goal should always be to reduce the amount of medications you take, and I am trying slowly.
I now have 2 pain stimulators (electronic pain blocker). One focusing on the pain from my waistline down and a DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) stimulator that is specifically working on my feet. Although it took 3 surgeons and 6 surgeries, the original pain stimulator now works along with the DRG stmulator (only needed one surgery) using "burst technology". I have had a lot of trouble getting them to get the units adjusted correctly and keeping it there, but when they both are working it takes my daily pain (at least from the waist down) from 7-8 down to 4-5 which is a huge difference in my life. Although I still cannot work, I am hopeful that someday I will be able to hold a job again.
I don't know anything about gabapentin--except that our veterinarian has prescribed it for several of our animals! It seems to help them with pain issues immensely. Other than that, I know zilch. I, too, have restless leg syndrome. I'm not doing anything for it because it's not too annoying or troublesome.
I keep thinking that I'm in my 30s or 40s, so I'm always amazed to realize that nope, I'm 64. (Yes, my husband keeps singing the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four" to me. Off key, yet!) I've heard that shingles pain is excruciating. I've had the vaccine, but I realize that I can still get shingles. Still, with the vaccine, I hope that, if I ever do get shingles, the pain will be lessened some.
Yes the pain of shingles is terrible. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Mine didn't break out. My grandson had then after he can home from Afghanistan while serving with the Marines. He he had them on his forehead. He said he felt like Mike Tyson had belted him. Gabapentin does help. I just don't know all the side effects.
A couple of things that helped me with leg cramps at night was sipping a bottle of Schwepps (without the gin) tonic. It has minimal amounts of quinine. As you're probably already aware, you need to be sure you're getting enough water. I keep some by my bedside and while it triggers a trip or two during the night to the bathroom - not having leg cramps is worth it. Also triggering leg cramps for me is the unconscious stretching - it's almost out of my control - the stretching, I mean.
A couple of things that helped me with leg cramps at night was sipping a bottle of Schwepps (without the gin) tonic. It has minimal amounts of quinine. As you're probably already aware, you need to be sure you're getting enough water. I keep some by my bedside and while it triggers a trip or two during the night to the bathroom - not having leg cramps is worth it. Also triggering leg cramps for me is the unconscious stretching - it's almost out of my control - the stretching, I mean.
I recall a doctor telling me once that one cause of leg cramps could be a low oxygen level, so I should do deep breathing. I tend to be a shallow breather.
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Have lower leg and foot pain but I didn't associate with the gabapentin. Should maybe taper and stop to find out?
I too have some questions about Gabapentin. I have been taking it for the after affects pf shingles 4 years ago.. The last month I have been having severe feet and leg cramps mostly at night. Could the Gabapentin be causing this? I also have chronic pain because of back problems. I have been told there is nothing that can be done. One July 17, 2017 I had the first of Medial Branch Nerve Block and will have the next on August 18. It has helped about 70% and I am hoping the next will help more. I also have restless leg syndrome.
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1 ReactionI don't know anything about gabapentin--except that our veterinarian has prescribed it for several of our animals! It seems to help them with pain issues immensely. Other than that, I know zilch. I, too, have restless leg syndrome. I'm not doing anything for it because it's not too annoying or troublesome.
I tried one time to stop the gabapentin but the needle affect of the shingle pain came back. My husband use to say "getting old is not for sissies"!
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1 ReactionI keep thinking that I'm in my 30s or 40s, so I'm always amazed to realize that nope, I'm 64. (Yes, my husband keeps singing the Beatles' "When I'm Sixty-Four" to me. Off key, yet!) I've heard that shingles pain is excruciating. I've had the vaccine, but I realize that I can still get shingles. Still, with the vaccine, I hope that, if I ever do get shingles, the pain will be lessened some.
Yes the pain of shingles is terrible. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Mine didn't break out. My grandson had then after he can home from Afghanistan while serving with the Marines. He he had them on his forehead. He said he felt like Mike Tyson had belted him. Gabapentin does help. I just don't know all the side effects.
No.I checked the Mayo Clinic and they mentioned other pain relievers as well as the Shingles vaccine.
Thanks for checking for me. Last night I was up walking leg cramps 4 times. I will try taking potassium and see if that works.
A couple of things that helped me with leg cramps at night was sipping a bottle of Schwepps (without the gin) tonic. It has minimal amounts of quinine. As you're probably already aware, you need to be sure you're getting enough water. I keep some by my bedside and while it triggers a trip or two during the night to the bathroom - not having leg cramps is worth it. Also triggering leg cramps for me is the unconscious stretching - it's almost out of my control - the stretching, I mean.
@mfobrien36
I recall a doctor telling me once that one cause of leg cramps could be a low oxygen level, so I should do deep breathing. I tend to be a shallow breather.
Jim