I am 80 with moderate to severe stenosis. Eight weeks ago I could not stand for over 5 minutes or walk even a quarter mile. I began with 600 daily which did nothing. I increased to 900 for about 3 weeks. Very little change. I increased to 1200 daily which is what I am on now. Still pain when standing for 5 minutes, and cannot walk the quarter mile without needing to stop to sit. I will ask doc to allow an increase to 1800 daily. If the higher doses do not work, I will need to talk to a neurosurgeon. Also not experiencing any side effects. I will provide updates if I increase the dosage. Good luck to all of you. I know what it's like to deal with pain.
@johnstrap I was on gabapentin for a short period of time. I know it was used for mental conditions, but sometimes used for pain specifically neuropathy. That medicine is not good for you in my opinion. I could not think straight. It did nothing for the pain and I got to the point where I could not take care of myself because of that medicine. Lyrica is another one just one molecule off. I highly suggest you talk to good pain specialist. I know for a lot of us surgery was our last resort to get rid of the pain and my case made it worse. I hope this helps you on your journey. Best of luck.
@johnstrap I was on gabapentin for a short period of time. I know it was used for mental conditions, but sometimes used for pain specifically neuropathy. That medicine is not good for you in my opinion. I could not think straight. It did nothing for the pain and I got to the point where I could not take care of myself because of that medicine. Lyrica is another one just one molecule off. I highly suggest you talk to good pain specialist. I know for a lot of us surgery was our last resort to get rid of the pain and my case made it worse. I hope this helps you on your journey. Best of luck.
@cmedina1 Thank you for the comment and the advice. I realize gabapentin has many detractors, but I was at the point where nothing else had relieved the pain, so I decided to try it anyway. I just requested an increase in the dosage to 1500 or 1800 to see if that has any effect. If that does not work after 6-8 weeks, I will consult a neurosurgeon. I still have no noticeable side effects.
I take Pregabalin - same thing. It works for fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and post lumbar fusion trauma. Side effects makes you put on weight like crazy - over 40lbs for me.
I have been on gabapentin for about 6 years 2400mg. I am now trying to wean to a lower dose but I am having severe panic attacks so I need to slow down the pace.
Was taking 300mg 3x daily. No relief and made me quite loopy. Now trying LDN with Celebrex 200mg 2x daily and 1300mg arthritis Tylenol 2 -3x. Good luck, I understand it's a challenge!
@johnstrap I was on gabapentin for a short period of time. I know it was used for mental conditions, but sometimes used for pain specifically neuropathy. That medicine is not good for you in my opinion. I could not think straight. It did nothing for the pain and I got to the point where I could not take care of myself because of that medicine. Lyrica is another one just one molecule off. I highly suggest you talk to good pain specialist. I know for a lot of us surgery was our last resort to get rid of the pain and my case made it worse. I hope this helps you on your journey. Best of luck.
I’m on 600mg a day right now. One 300mg tablet in the morning, one at night. It works great for me.
Yes, I get about a period of an hour where it makes me loopy and affects my concentration. I can still ‘think’ but I have to force myself to concentrate!
Fortunately it only lasts an hour.
My mother was on it before she passed from bladder cancer and my brother (70) has been on it for 8 years.
@myrrh739 I have severe Polyneuropathy so I started gabapentin 2 weeks ago. I’m on a very low dose because my body is sensitive to most medications. Right now I take 200 mg total a day. It seems to help with the pain but it makes me sleepy and dizzy.
@SusanEllen66
I am 75 years old. I take 300 mg of gabapentin for back pain (osteoarthritis) at night. I cannot tolerate a larger dose, so I stay at that amount. I take it at night with one each of ibuprofen, acetaminophen, an OTC called Calms Forte (have used it for years) and 60 mg of CBD. It gets me about 6-7 hours of sleep. Usually when I awake about 4-5 am I take an ibuprofen. This helps with the morning stiffness. I am able to be active all day with no other meds.
I have had both knees replaced (2015 and 2021). I managed on oxycodone for about 3 days, then transitioned to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. I started PT on day 4. My mantra is "No pain, no gain". The rehab is work but you must push through. I have had no problems with the knees.
I am having some pain in the right hip, but that is on hold for now as I need rotator cuff repair in June. I am not looking forward to that, not because of the pain and rehab, but because it is my right arm. These down times are hard to manage when you are an independent person. It makes me humble. I know I can power through it and the end result will be positive. I have a husband, home, farm and garden that need me.
Hello all!
We all respond differently to medications!!!!! I have CIDP and have been taking Gabapentin for about seven years and it allows me to have a life without pain!!!! Gabapentin was originally designed and used for seizure disorders and currently used in chronic pain management.
Each of us responds to medications differently based upon our enzyme systems. Some people respond poorly to one drug but not to another. This does not mean the drug is a bad drug!!!!!!!
We each need to communicate and work together with our providers to achieve the best outcomes.
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@johnstrap I was on gabapentin for a short period of time. I know it was used for mental conditions, but sometimes used for pain specifically neuropathy. That medicine is not good for you in my opinion. I could not think straight. It did nothing for the pain and I got to the point where I could not take care of myself because of that medicine. Lyrica is another one just one molecule off. I highly suggest you talk to good pain specialist. I know for a lot of us surgery was our last resort to get rid of the pain and my case made it worse. I hope this helps you on your journey. Best of luck.
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1 Reaction@cmedina1 Thank you for the comment and the advice. I realize gabapentin has many detractors, but I was at the point where nothing else had relieved the pain, so I decided to try it anyway. I just requested an increase in the dosage to 1500 or 1800 to see if that has any effect. If that does not work after 6-8 weeks, I will consult a neurosurgeon. I still have no noticeable side effects.
some improvement for me.
I take Pregabalin - same thing. It works for fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and post lumbar fusion trauma. Side effects makes you put on weight like crazy - over 40lbs for me.
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1 ReactionI have been on gabapentin for about 6 years 2400mg. I am now trying to wean to a lower dose but I am having severe panic attacks so I need to slow down the pace.
Was taking 300mg 3x daily. No relief and made me quite loopy. Now trying LDN with Celebrex 200mg 2x daily and 1300mg arthritis Tylenol 2 -3x. Good luck, I understand it's a challenge!
@tracilmoreno66
If Gabapentin was helping you why do you want to discontinue it?
Jake
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2 Reactions@cmedina1
I’m on 600mg a day right now. One 300mg tablet in the morning, one at night. It works great for me.
Yes, I get about a period of an hour where it makes me loopy and affects my concentration. I can still ‘think’ but I have to force myself to concentrate!
Fortunately it only lasts an hour.
My mother was on it before she passed from bladder cancer and my brother (70) has been on it for 8 years.
@SusanEllen66
I am 75 years old. I take 300 mg of gabapentin for back pain (osteoarthritis) at night. I cannot tolerate a larger dose, so I stay at that amount. I take it at night with one each of ibuprofen, acetaminophen, an OTC called Calms Forte (have used it for years) and 60 mg of CBD. It gets me about 6-7 hours of sleep. Usually when I awake about 4-5 am I take an ibuprofen. This helps with the morning stiffness. I am able to be active all day with no other meds.
I have had both knees replaced (2015 and 2021). I managed on oxycodone for about 3 days, then transitioned to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. I started PT on day 4. My mantra is "No pain, no gain". The rehab is work but you must push through. I have had no problems with the knees.
I am having some pain in the right hip, but that is on hold for now as I need rotator cuff repair in June. I am not looking forward to that, not because of the pain and rehab, but because it is my right arm. These down times are hard to manage when you are an independent person. It makes me humble. I know I can power through it and the end result will be positive. I have a husband, home, farm and garden that need me.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHello all!
We all respond differently to medications!!!!! I have CIDP and have been taking Gabapentin for about seven years and it allows me to have a life without pain!!!! Gabapentin was originally designed and used for seizure disorders and currently used in chronic pain management.
Each of us responds to medications differently based upon our enzyme systems. Some people respond poorly to one drug but not to another. This does not mean the drug is a bad drug!!!!!!!
We each need to communicate and work together with our providers to achieve the best outcomes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions