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WOW!! If I didn’t know any better I’d swear I wrote this. I just started gabapentin last week, so far no side effects and I think it’s helping, I’m up to 2 a day. I have no answers for you but just thought it was weird to be reading my own story that I didn’t write. I see a surgeon next month just to see what he has to say, I don’t want surgery either and supposedly my only option. What I can’t get an answer to, from oncologist or back doctor, is this from the myeloma????? Or is my back really that jacked up, it’s only started getting really bad after treatment. So I’m going to talk to him and hopefully get some answers. I do have the same exact issues as you, I’m 69, I am married though & about 400 miles away from other family. I wish I could help you, the crap ain’t for sissies.

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Replies to "WOW!! If I didn’t know any better I’d swear I wrote this. I just started gabapentin..."

@jstpeachey
Have you had an mri yet? That will give you a lot of information. I was on 300mg of gabapentin at night. It did help with the pain. But then I read about how it can affect your cognitive health, that's why I stopped. When it was completely out of my system I was amazed at how my mental health improved. But every one is different. I wish you well on your journey.

Hey there Peachey, fellow lower back sufferer here. And I'm 71. I've had both knees replaced, right hip, left shoulder. Rampant osteoarthritis.

And my lumbar spine is a mess - stenosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerated discs and arthritis spurs everywhere. Three years ago I committed to getting my weight from 190 to 150 (I'm 5'10"). My weight is now consistently between 151-155, and I'll take that!

I used cardio and cut way down on sugar to achieve this, and I'm a former marathon runner - done in eventually by arthritis. I spin 5x/week for cardio and 2x/week resistance training.

My back surgeon tells me my lumbar spine is being held together by a very strong set of core muscles. That's fine w/me. Replacing a joint is relatively straightforward, with few complications.

But lumbar surgery, including fusion - well I'd really like to avoid that. So glute thrusts and ab exercises are a big part of my weekly routine. And there are many, many ways to strengthen your core that don't take up a lot of time. Stretching the lower back also helps.

Be well, friend.

Joe