1. < Neuropathy

Gabapentin use for neuropathy

Posted by Lisa @techi, Nov 3, 2017

I just want to know if anyone has used or is still using gabapentin for neuropathy. I had foot surgery in 2015 and l had nerve pain so my surgeon put me on gabapentin and it wasn't once a day or twice a day. He said 3times a day.. So this Monday on the doctors Dr. Stock was talking about the gabapentin and how he was taking it after his surgery and he read about people who were trying to wean themselves off off it and it was hard to do it and if you are taking an opioid it intensify the opoid has anyone had that problem. Because l sometimes take tramadol and l always ask if it's an opioid and everyone says no but when l went online they said it was so l am trying to not take them and when l went to the doctor this week l told them l am only taking the gabapentin 2times a day because l forget the third dose. I told her l am only use to taking meds twice a day so l want to know if anyone had a reaction or difficulty get off gabapentin?

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superwife | @superwife | Jan 4, 2018

I have used Gabapentin for at least 10 years & it totally relieves the unbearable tingling in feet & lower legs. I've been told by several doctors/neurolobists etc

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superwife | @superwife | Jan 4, 2018

i'mve been using Gabapentin for at least 10 years to relieve the unbearable tingling in feet & lower legs = totally effectively. I've been told my several doctors & neurologists that I could take more than the 4 tablets daily but have seldom needed to. I'm also trying it along with other pain meds for an excruciatingly painful nerve damaged ankle wound - hydro morphone and Oxycocget are more effective but am trying the combiination to try for more relief. I have no difficulty at all in stopping Gaba, except that the neuropathy tingling renews its assault! Have come to believe pain management is a pretty individual affair.
Sheila. Camada

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jan 4, 2018

Re :gabapentin effectiveness. I have found this medication to be effective in relieving the needle like pain in my hands and arms. From reading everyones comments, I see that the dosages and time you take them may be a factor. I take one 300 mg in the morning and then one hour before bedtime I take 3 of the 300 mg capsules. That schedule may not work for you so keep your options open.

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Lisa | @techi | Jan 6, 2018

I just got an email about Gabapentin and it's going to be on the doctors program next week. I believe Monday for those who want to hear about it.

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clissold | @clissold | Jan 9, 2018

I have had burning mouth syndrome for 15 years I take Gabapentin 6 a day-- I am trying to get off it. seems to make no difference to pain but does help with the thick mucus that comes with this condition. I see the pain clinic every 6 months. I have had bowel cancer twice 20 years apart Doctors do not think it is connected - did have chemo with both. I also don't think it is connected as it started 7 years after the the first chemo. anyone have this condition?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 9, 2018
In reply to @clissold "I have had burning mouth syndrome for 15 years I take Gabapentin 6 a day-- I..." + (show)
@clissold

I have had burning mouth syndrome for 15 years I take Gabapentin 6 a day-- I am trying to get off it. seems to make no difference to pain but does help with the thick mucus that comes with this condition. I see the pain clinic every 6 months. I have had bowel cancer twice 20 years apart Doctors do not think it is connected - did have chemo with both. I also don't think it is connected as it started 7 years after the the first chemo. anyone have this condition?

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Hi @clissold, welcome to Connect. There is an active discussion group about burning mouth syndrome here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-mouth-syndrome-very-severe/
I encourage you to join the discussion there.

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suzylulu | @suzylulu | Feb 17, 2018
In reply to @artscaping "For those exploring Gabapentin, I will just add a bit of my experience with this medication..." + (show)
@artscaping

For those exploring Gabapentin, I will just add a bit of my experience with this medication in the hope that it might be helpful. Once my SFN was diagnosed, I began using Gabapentin for pain relief from the "needles" that ravaged my hands, wrists and lower arms with pain. After the first 6 months as my condition progressed, more of the medication was prescribed for night time to go along with the lidocaine based topical compound LPKA which works to take the edge off the pain as I prepare for sleep. So after experimentation, this is what works for me at this stage -- 300 mg in the a.m. and 900 mg one hour before bedtime. That allows me to drift off pretty easily and sleep well until the electrical pain zappers start at dawn. One day I got the dosages mixed up and took the 900 mg in the morning. And now I know why it works......although my pain was significantly reduced, I became a bit fuzzy and was struggling to remember things until it wore off. That's o.k. for night time but can be disconcerting during the day. I don't think I would want to be taking it 4 times a day. I will be meeting with my neurologist this month to discuss my future needs and options as the SFN has appeared to have added pain to the numbness in my feet. I also know that my partner has taken it for Restless Leg and it is also prescribed for dogs with a nerve condition called Syringomyelia (SM). So just because the medication was developed for seizures, doesn't mean that it won't work for other nerve related disorders. So it may be that each of us has different needs, different experiences, and different tolerances. There are no easy answers or road maps for this journey.....just lots of challenges and the will to cope with them as best we can.

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I have been on gababentin 3 x a day. For about 3 months. So far don’t see any difference. I also was on the gababentin cream for about 5 months. Didn’t make a difference. What is working for other

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twinpat | @twinpat | Feb 17, 2018

I take Gabapentin a total of 5 a day and it really does nothing for me. Constantly in pain.

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3 replies
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Feb 17, 2018

Hello @twinpat,

Welcome to Connect. As you will notice, you are not alone in your frustration of getting no relief from Gabapentin! Would you share a few more details about yourself? How long have you been taking this medication for neuropathy? What has helped you cope with the pain?

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oldkarl | @oldkarl | Feb 18, 2018
In reply to @twinpat "I take Gabapentin a total of 5 a day and it really does nothing for me...." + (show)
@twinpat

I take Gabapentin a total of 5 a day and it really does nothing for me. Constantly in pain.

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@twinpat Hi, Twin... I, also, have been on gabapentin a few times in the past. It has never been helpful. Well, it has helped my weight by emptying out my wallet.

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