1. < Neuropathy

Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

Posted by cwallen9 @cwallen9, Apr 16, 2019

I started getting peripheral neuropathy pain about nine months ago in my feet and hands right after I received a cervical steroid injection. I started taking gabapentin about 7 months ago. I have gradually increased my dose from 100 mg a day to 1500 mg. I can't say that it has decreased my pain at all. In fact, my pain has gotten steadily worse. I was just wondering if it is possible that gabapentin can sometimes make neuropathy pain worse. My EMG and biopsy results are negative for short fiber neuropathy so far.

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dorisena | @dorisena | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @hyeary "Hi John, I have a rare vascular disease (fibromuscular dysplasia), and have wondered if the FMD..." + (show)
@hyeary

Hi John, I have a rare vascular disease (fibromuscular dysplasia), and have wondered if the FMD has been a contributing factor in my progressing nerve pain. What started in my feet and hands is now all over. In fact, when I climb the stairs, not only do my legs hurt, but my diaphragm burns. There is a condition called vasculitic neuropathy that I’m wondering has any connection with FMD. Doctors say all our pain has nothing to do with FMD, but it makes no sense that we all have the same pain, and we keep getting brushed off. It’s infuriating and we suffer in silence.

Right now, I’m taking 5 different anti-seizure medications on top of 1200 mg of neurontin, as well as 5-325 norco. It’s way too much, a stab in the dark/not targeted therapy. . . And not helping. I had 5 cerebral aneurysm, and had 2 brain surgeries to clip 3 of them. I now have trigeminal neuralgia, my neurologist thinks the surgical scar is causing that, I disagree. I started feeling that pain immediately after my surgery, because I had to stop taking my oxcarbamazapine for my surgery, so I noticed the pain. When I started taking my meds again, it went away but it’s not working anymore. My doctor has increased the dosage so hopefully it helps ease the symptoms.

Nerve pain sucks.

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That is why I got a prescription for more physical therapy because those people know how to work on pain areas and produce some relief. It doesn't solve all problems, but it certainly helps my body and I skip all those pills because I have mild symptoms of problems.
I also get relief from massage and oriental needles which don't hurt at all. Dorisena

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @hyeary "Hi John, I have a rare vascular disease (fibromuscular dysplasia), and have wondered if the FMD..." + (show)
@hyeary

Hi John, I have a rare vascular disease (fibromuscular dysplasia), and have wondered if the FMD has been a contributing factor in my progressing nerve pain. What started in my feet and hands is now all over. In fact, when I climb the stairs, not only do my legs hurt, but my diaphragm burns. There is a condition called vasculitic neuropathy that I’m wondering has any connection with FMD. Doctors say all our pain has nothing to do with FMD, but it makes no sense that we all have the same pain, and we keep getting brushed off. It’s infuriating and we suffer in silence.

Right now, I’m taking 5 different anti-seizure medications on top of 1200 mg of neurontin, as well as 5-325 norco. It’s way too much, a stab in the dark/not targeted therapy. . . And not helping. I had 5 cerebral aneurysm, and had 2 brain surgeries to clip 3 of them. I now have trigeminal neuralgia, my neurologist thinks the surgical scar is causing that, I disagree. I started feeling that pain immediately after my surgery, because I had to stop taking my oxcarbamazapine for my surgery, so I noticed the pain. When I started taking my meds again, it went away but it’s not working anymore. My doctor has increased the dosage so hopefully it helps ease the symptoms.

Nerve pain sucks.

Jump to this post

@hyeary
6 Anticonvulsants, I'm surprised you know when you're coming or going. Which meds are you on & at what dosage?
Do or did you have seizures or are they used as a seizure preventive, which to me seems like overkill or are they for neuropathy and other conditions? Could you elaborate?
Take care,
Jake

REPLY
2 replies
dorisena | @dorisena | Mar 27, 2021

A well-to-do relative saw six different doctors, for free as her son was a doctor, and that is the custom they followed in her area. She fell and was hospitalized where they found she was terribly overmedicated, an innocent mistake on her part and the doctors as well. She went on a liquid diet to look thin for an upcoming wedding, and lost 20 pounds, but was bedfast and missed the wedding. She died in the hospital wing of a nursing home after falling out of bed and breaking her hip. They did surgery but she did not recover. I think the medical world meant well, but less care might have been better. Dorisena

REPLY
1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @dorisena "A well-to-do relative saw six different doctors, for free as her son was a doctor, and..." + (show)
@dorisena

A well-to-do relative saw six different doctors, for free as her son was a doctor, and that is the custom they followed in her area. She fell and was hospitalized where they found she was terribly overmedicated, an innocent mistake on her part and the doctors as well. She went on a liquid diet to look thin for an upcoming wedding, and lost 20 pounds, but was bedfast and missed the wedding. She died in the hospital wing of a nursing home after falling out of bed and breaking her hip. They did surgery but she did not recover. I think the medical world meant well, but less care might have been better. Dorisena

Jump to this post

@dorisena
Poor quality of care is no excuse for the of intentions.
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
dorisena | @dorisena | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@dorisena Poor quality of care is no excuse for the of intentions. Jake" + (show)
@jakedduck1

@dorisena
Poor quality of care is no excuse for the of intentions.
Jake

Jump to this post

Yes, I agree with the fact that there is poor quality of care at times, but lack of knowledge often does not prevent it. Everyone needs to continue their study of the matter, including the doctors, the therapists, and the patients. and the family members when possible. Dorisena

REPLY
helennicola | @helennicola | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@hyeary 6 Anticonvulsants, I'm surprised you know when you're coming or going. Which meds are you..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@hyeary
6 Anticonvulsants, I'm surprised you know when you're coming or going. Which meds are you on & at what dosage?
Do or did you have seizures or are they used as a seizure preventive, which to me seems like overkill or are they for neuropathy and other conditions? Could you elaborate?
Take care,
Jake

Jump to this post

Hi Leonard, I recently read about an anti-seizure med someone on Facebook posted as being a super drug for neuropathy which has no side effects whatsoever and is far superior to gabapentin and lyrica; it’s Zonisamide (Zonegran) Have you any knowledge of this drug? I would think we’d have at least heard of it before. Helen

REPLY
1 reply
tigreyes2004 | @tigreyes2004 | Mar 27, 2021

Has anyone tried lyrica & what kind of side effects did you have. My dr. wants me to go on it but i don't want to bc i heard too many bad things about it. Any feedback would be appreciated.

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2 replies
dorisena | @dorisena | Mar 27, 2021

The side affects of these medications are listed on the web. The doctors say the benefits outweigh the side effects. That can't apply to everyone, however.
Please read about these meds and make your choices, or not. I chose not to continue a certain med because I slept for 12 hours and couldn't get out of bed to function and take care of myself. It seemed reasonable to me. Your doctor doesn't live at your house, I presume. Another time he wrote a 12 month prescription and never called or checked to see how I was doing. That pill didn't last long, either. Another pill for my bladder made me want to go to the emergency room because of the pounding heart. I have some pain but nothing is more than I can tolerate right now. You decide. Dorisena

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @helennicola "Hi Leonard, I recently read about an anti-seizure med someone on Facebook posted as being a..." + (show)
@helennicola

Hi Leonard, I recently read about an anti-seizure med someone on Facebook posted as being a super drug for neuropathy which has no side effects whatsoever and is far superior to gabapentin and lyrica; it’s Zonisamide (Zonegran) Have you any knowledge of this drug? I would think we’d have at least heard of it before. Helen

Jump to this post

@helennicola
Zonegran from the people I've heard from take it as an adjunctive medication for Focal Epilepsy. Most of whom report many of the seizure meds typical side effects. Zonegran does have many potential side effects like all other Anticonvulsants. That's not to say all people on it will have those effects. I have been on these types of meds for over 50 years for seizures. Believe me there is no one super drug without side effects for it's main use of seizures or Neuropathy. I was the Antoconvulsant Dilantin for over 20 years and didn't notice any significant side effects until a few years later when the Neuropathy started. So even if side effects aren't noticed that doesn't mean they are not causing damage.
Take care & remember if it sounds too good to be true it most likely is.
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Mar 27, 2021
In reply to @tigreyes2004 "Has anyone tried lyrica & what kind of side effects did you have. My dr. wants..." + (show)
@tigreyes2004

Has anyone tried lyrica & what kind of side effects did you have. My dr. wants me to go on it but i don't want to bc i heard too many bad things about it. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Jump to this post

I took Lyrica but never again. I had the usual side effects for seizure meds. This was just after it hit the market in the early 80’s. One morning I was getting ready to get out of bed and my right arm was paralyzed I contacted the FDA. One day in my doctors waiting room someone was talking about Lyrica and eventually more and more and more people joined in the conversation. Everyone was complaining about it. I know a lady with fibromyalgia who swears by the drug.
Take care,
Jake

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