Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

leonard, she did say she had to take the pills (4)3xday but it took all of her pain away which had been extreme. She said her neurologist considered this the best choice for neuropathy. I agree “if it sounds too good.....” etc. Helen

@helennicola
I think it’s great that it works so well for her. I’ve never taken it because I never had much of a problem with focal seizures. I don’t have the neuropathy pain any longer just the numbness. But for anyone who does have the pain and is willing to try an anti-convulsant it might be worth a shot or if Gabapentin doesn't help perhaps try the Zonegran.
Thanks for mentioning it.
Jake

@tigreyes2004, I tried Lyrica many years ago. I could not tolerate it because it made me dizzy and I had to hold onto something to make my way around the house. I don't know why your doctor prescribed this, i.e., I do not know your health condition. This must work for some, but it was not for me! Best wishes, @joybringer1

@joybringer1
Hi
Thank you for sharing. I am not taking it but most of the doctors try & push it on me & I say no. I am taking 300 mg of Gabapentin in the morning with 30mg Cymbalta & at night another 300 mg. of Gabapentin. I notice as time goes by I have to keep increasing to be able to function & I really don't want to do that. I have Idiopat Neuropathy, Stage 3 kidney disease, pancreitis, gastritis, copd, & abdominal adhesion's. I'm 70 & feel like a 100. I am getting depressed bc I'm a fanatic with housework & I can't keep up anymore.
I have heard bad side effects on the Lyrica & plus you gain wait so I will stay way from it. Thank you & God bless
Genie

I have just started Zonegran that was prescribed by a new pain doctor. No bad side effects yet, but also no relief yet.

@lacy2
Hello J,
We always have a choice. I had sleep difficulties too and tried Ambien. It wasn't effective for me so I quit taking it and I figured I’d sleep when I needed to but this was risky since lack of or poor sleep is frequently a seizure trigger in Epilepsy.
I decided to used all the proper sleep protocols which I believe reset my Circadian rhythm. So my days of staying awake for 24 to 120 hours are a thing of the past for the most part anyway.
“Am afraid I always go on line to check new meds out but sometimes this means then I am too afraid to take them.“
You take Klonopinin but are fearful of other meds? You did know your Clonazepam & Gabapentin can both cause multiple
eye-related side effects, right?
Have you tried magnesium for sleep? I'd try that before taking a chance on such a powerful drug as Klonopin. I suspect your a woman and if so you may already be deficient.
Take care,
Jake

@tigreyes2004
Hello Genie,
“I am getting depressed bc I'm a fanatic with housework & I can't keep up anymore.”
Since both Gabapentin & Cymbalta sometimes cause depression and tiredness, could that possibly be part of the above problem?
Since your on such a low dose of Gabapentin does it actually help?
Just because Lyrica causes problems with many people doesn't mean you will have any problems with it.
Take care,
Jake

@lacy2
Clozapam is classified as a Benzodiazepine but it's an Anticonvulsant. No surprise your vitamin D is low. Supposedly, 4% of Canadian’s are low. I don't believe that it's only 4%. Some statistics say 42% of people in The U.S. is deficient. I don't believe anyone knows for sure.
I am at a normal level now but have to take 2,000IU daily to maintain my level because of the bloody Anticonvulsants. We can improve our diets and eat vit D rich foods but our age is against us. Nothing we can do about that I guess. I imagine you were told to take a supplement. How much are you suppose to take? Magnesium plays an important part in vit D metabolism.
Your KLONAPIN/RIVOTRIL may make reading more difficult and cause blurred or double vision. It can also cause visual hallucinations. All sorts of fun things. I wear prisms in my glasses because one of my seizure medicines cause double vision.
The medical people haven’t told you about how difficult it is to come off of because they don’t now how to come off of it safely. We have the great pharmaceutical companies to thank for that because they don’t know themselves. They are learning from their patients, at least the doctors who are willing to learn.
All in all doctors really aren’t all that bright in my personal opinion, Especially when it comes to common sense. Not that I am any great whiz at it myself. In the hospital my blood pressure was high when a doctor took it. A few minutes later she trots in with a pill, “take this” I said “what is it” “it’s something for your blood pressure.” I tried to convince her that one blood pressure reading didn’t indicate I had hypertension.
You have to wonder if some of these idiots actually graduated from medical school.
I stopped taking my Klonopin and I didn’t have any side effects but I tapered extremely slowly.
I believe the best way to stop Clonopin and some other medications is the 5 to 10% method by using a compounding pharmacy.
You shouldn't have deleted your post.
Will take good care of yourself,
Jake

I am very fearful of that Lyrica. I have heard so many negative things that I won't chance it. I know everyone is different but my track record isn't very good.
My dr. told me Gabapentin was more of downer & make you sleepy & then when you take the cymbalta it's an upper. Usually it has got me functional but lately I am in so much pain.
Thank you Jake . I appreciate your help.
God Bless
Genie

@lacy2
I'm glad your doctor had enough sense to order the 25-hydroxy test to check your vitamin D. If I were you I’d ask for a bone density test also. In my unprofessional opinion, I doubt 2,000IU will bring your level up very quickly (depending on what it is) especially if you are on Gabapentin. You are on Gabapentin aren't you? If so, how much are you on. My memory is awful. Also, how much Klonopin are you taking. Although medication affects people differently I wouldn't cut your Klonopin in half. That's a large cut. I'd never do that. Chances are your doing okay now without any withdrawal effects depending on how high your dose was but I doubt you will manage another 50% cut. My Klonopin does was massive but I still didn't cut it that much.Did you ask why your B-12 was low? Hopefully your just not getting enough in your diet verses not being not able to absorb it. But regardless of the reason you need to get it back within normal levels. Years ago I had a B 12 deficiency and my doctor gave me weekly B 12 shots.
You much better off without that doctor. However, I wonder if he was legally justified in discharging you. I wonder if it could be considered discriminatory or abandonment.
Take care,
Jake