Cecelia - Here is my long-time advice when you read "horror stories" about a drug or treatment that is helping you -
STOP. READING. THEM.
Just because your sister, your neighbor, or a stranger on Connect had a bad experience doesn't mean it will happen to you. Every person, every body, every situation is different.

Let me give you examples -
I have high cholesterol, but cannot take statins. My husband, my daughter and many friends all take them successfully. What I say is "I'm glad for you, but I need to find something else." My doc found "something else" and it works for me.
I take Symbicort for my asthma. It contains a steroid. I also have bronchiectasis, and people with it are advised not to use steroids. But it works for me, and it keeps me out of the hospital. So I say, "My doctor and I have decided it is best for me."

If gabapentin works for you (my husband has used it for years for neuropathy, and has only recently had to increase his dose) then use it and shut out the "noise" from those who cannot, will not, or don't want you to use it.