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Gabapentin use for neuropathy

Neuropathy | Last Active: Jan 19 1:59pm | Replies (84)

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@johnbishop

Hi Lisa, last year before I got my diagnosis for small fiber PN and I just had numb feet with no pain my doctor prescribed gabapentin and I took it for about a month with no results - didn't help with the numbness at all. I met with the doctor again and she had a consult with another doctor who I again explained my symptoms - numbness, no pain. He said well gabapentin won't work for that...it only addresses pain, not numbness. So I just stopped taking it. I have read discussions between other members in one of the closed groups I belong to that were taking gabapentin and it was difficult to get off of it. By tapering slowly they were able to get off of the gabapentin. Gabapentin was made to treat seizures and not PN. IMHO it just tricks the brain into not feeling the pain and it can require a higher and higher dosage the longer you are on it to keep the pain at bay.

You are right about the opiods. I really feel for those folks that suffer from chronic pain and really need something to get back their quality of life.

Hope you have a pain free day! John

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Replies to "Hi Lisa, last year before I got my diagnosis for small fiber PN and I just..."

John, this is so helpful to know. I've had chronic tingling and numbness in both feet and legs.
I finally got a work up. Labs are normal. Muscle & nerve conduction studies are normal.
The neurologist said we could do a skin punch to confirm small fiber but regardless of result treatment would be the same; i.e., Gabapentin 100 mg at bedtime and PT. I'm really not in pain per se, just uncomfortable. I feel like I have socks wadded up in my shoes. I like to walk and when I get a stride going, I'm OK but it does make me tenuous in my steps. So, the PT is to work with balance. At first I was just going to take a wait and see approach. I'm 71. But I decided to give the Gabapentin a try because the idea that I might sleep better was appealing. It seemed to work for one night in that respect but as for the physical symptoms, I almost feel things are worse. But right now I'm pretty sedentary and somewhat anxious because I'm helping my husband to recover from hip replacement. That might be a contributing factor.
I'm almost at the end of the 30 day Rx and now that you mention it only addresses pain, I will forget about that. My initial PT eval last week was very thorough and informative. I will have a second visit next week and receive more exercises to strengthen my balance.
Due to insurance issues I have to change PCPs and get new referrals.
May I ask when you progressed from numbness to pain? The Neurologist thinks I probably do have neuropathy. It's just under the radar at this point.