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Fibro diagnosis, lots of pain, scared I may have an ai issue too
Chronic Pain | Last Active: May 5, 2018 | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
@lisabeans I was prescribed Gabapentin for back pain. I had a laminectomy (outpatient back surgery) in December 2016. However, after several months on it I realized that I was having trouble remembering things and I felt foggy and not able to concentrate on anything. I was taking 300 mg 2 times a day. The doctor wanted me to take the pill 3 times a day, but when I tried to add the 3rd pill I was so "drugged " I couldn't function. After reading on Connect that many others were having problems with taking Gabapentin, I decided to stop it, withdrawing slowly. I successfully stopped the drug. What I found was that I had less pain without the medication. That surprised me. I don't like Gabapentin and I have read a lot about it since stopping it. Be cautious and research this med before you agree to use it. I know you want pain relief, but I hesitate to think Gabapentin is the right drug for relief. Good luck, Gail B Ledesma
Replies to "@lisabeans I was prescribed Gabapentin for back pain. I had a laminectomy (outpatient back surgery) in..."
Hello. I have spinal stenosis. Have been using gabapentin w/o much results. Doctor just switched me to lyrica. Any thoughts? Thank you.
@jJustinmMcClanahan, having leg and tingling electrical pains in my lower legs again and considering going back on gabapentin. But I can't remember why I hated that drug and was so glad when leg pains stopped for a year or so. Will look at your link again. Virtuous 69
I have suffered from chronic pain for 35+ years and have been on both gabapentin & lyrica. I also had no relief on the gabapentin & others at my pain clinic often reported the same thing. I was also on the maximum amount of lyrica and started falling quite often. My family doc had just been at a seminar the night before and had learned that it was a side effect of the drug so he reduced my dosage while I waited to see the pain doc. I found that my pain level never changed so over time I stopped taking it completely. The end result was that it was costing me $10,000 a year and there was no difference in my pain level so it was useless all of that time. It is often described as the best drug available but it didn't help me at all. I certainly hope that your experience is far better than mine. I know of a second person who found the same thing but we all process meds differently so you may have better success than I did. Since that time I have learned to be very aware of my pain level at all times. I am also on medical marijuana & I just found that the that was recommended for my pain & inflammation does not cover either of those issues so I am waiting for a new type to be available next week. The oil that. I use for night works far better but it makes me too sleepy to use in the day. This may be another choice for you depending on where you live.
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Thank you for your input on gabapentin @gailb. We certainly have had a lot of members discuss this drug, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gabapenten/. From my own learning reading everyone's posts on gabapentin, it seems to vary greatly from member to member and is really based on the individual. While Gail is not alone with her experience, there are quite a few members on Connect who did receive relief using gabapentin. I think taking caution from Gail's post in to consideration while giving this drug a try is wise.
@lisabeans, it is wise to research what you are taking and take any concerns to your medical provider. Ultimately, it is best to follow your providers direction, but being aware of possible side effects is certainly OK.