1. < Neuropathy

Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

Posted by cwallen9 @cwallen9, Apr 16, 2019

I started getting peripheral neuropathy pain about nine months ago in my feet and hands right after I received a cervical steroid injection. I started taking gabapentin about 7 months ago. I have gradually increased my dose from 100 mg a day to 1500 mg. I can't say that it has decreased my pain at all. In fact, my pain has gotten steadily worse. I was just wondering if it is possible that gabapentin can sometimes make neuropathy pain worse. My EMG and biopsy results are negative for short fiber neuropathy so far.

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rybren | @rybren | 2 days ago

My experiemce with Gabapentin is different than many on this Blog. I fought for a few years using drugs until it was not worth it. I have been on gaba 300 mg 3x and it makes a hige differemce in my idiopathic PN symptoms. So far after a few years no issues other than positive relief from nasty Idiopathic PN.

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betty1949 | @betty1949 | 2 days ago

Hopefully you have a substitute to take. I took Gabapentin without any symptoms but everyone is different. Good luck.

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betty1949 | @betty1949 | 2 days ago
In reply to @salsa "Obviously every case is different, but in mine I take 2700 mg a day. Alot I..." + (show)
@salsa

Obviously every case is different, but in mine I take 2700 mg a day. Alot I know, but before it my episodes would last an hour or so, it was brutal. Now, I still get my episodes but they last maybe 10 minutes to 15 minutes max. I don't like being on it, but my neurologist at the Mayo assures me it is ok. I always looking for other options, but no luck so far. Maybe an increase would help, as for me I would say taking it has not increased my pain, but has been a help in reducing episode length. Good luck to you, I hope you find some answers.

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Have you tried Pregabalin ( Lyrica?). It's been great for me. Just a thought.

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gregd1956 | @gregd1956 | 2 days ago
In reply to @lwisely "I have tried gabapentin twice. The first night I took it, I spent the entire night..." + (show)
@lwisely

I have tried gabapentin twice. The first night I took it, I spent the entire night in the fetal position on the living room floor experiencing the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. I called my dr when the office opened and told them I could not take it. Several years later, another dr wanted to prescribe it and I told him what had happened. He said it was because I had been started on too low of a dose and asked me to please try it again at a higher starting dose. I hesitantly agreed and took it again. The EXACT same thing happened.

Another time I was given a pain relieving patch that I did not realize included gabapentin as an ingredient. Again...unbelievable pain.

I now include gabapentin on my list of drug allergies. I won't mistakenly take it ever again. When doctors ask what happens when I take it, I tell them about the pain and they never believe me.

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Dear @lwisely
That med I have the 1500, 3 times a day. Not pain, but anti-sezure (sp?).
Thx
Greg D. @greg1956

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