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Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?
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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@lacy2, It sounds as if you are better off without the awful doctor. How dare he chide you in front of others. He surely does not understand confidentiality. It is interesting about your vitamin D. My doctor took me off that as it is in my CardioTab vitamin. He wants me and my husband to be in the middle of the scale. I was surprised because my last blood draw showed 60 in the vitamin D and he wants it more in the middle of the scale, i.e., at 50. I do as he says. He has helped me in so many ways and is always so kind to me. I don't know what I would do without him. May you have better experiences and have a doctor who truly cares about you. With all good wishes, @joybringer1
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3 ReactionsI want to be kind and helpful here since I have experienced so many health problems in my family, but for the life of me, I wouldn't consider continuing huge doses of meds and getting more pain over time. A well meaning doctor doubled my pain medicine for a pinched nerve years ago and it shut down my brain to the point where I couldn't prepare Thanksgiving dinner. I suffered terrible pain through physical therapy and a sand bag on my neck hung over a door.
Finally my doctor sent me to physical therapy who cured my pinched nerve and I continued exercises for years after that. The prescription med that messed with my brain is now sold over the counter but I would not consider taking it. After my husband took opioids and the doctor doubled them for pain, I have wisely sought other help besides pills that have side effects and they don't cure anything. The medical world is getting better than in the past, but we still need to pressure for better treatments or a different approach to our miseries. I learned that pennicilin cured everything in my early years but now our bodies are resistant to antibiotics. I recommend we stop doing what doesn't work because it isn't going to do much later on, either. Dorisena
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3 Reactions@lacy2, I admire your attitude when you stated that others have even worse issues to deal with. Your issues seem terrible to me, but I realize you are doing your best to cope with them. It is awful when we have to give up foods we love and sometimes activities as well. I truly wish you'd your husband the best moving forward. @joybringer1
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2 ReactionsPlease think of it as not giving up foods we love, but choosing food that make us well and happy. I think of my efforts as though I am winning the battle and I do better in the end. My husband has been gone fifteen years, so I can spend my efforts on myself. My husband would not work on his diet issues, so I feel victorious when I can make a difference. Pass the salmon! I may serve it along with the ham for Easter. Dorisena
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1 Reaction@dorisena
“I feel victorious when I can make a difference.”
You make a difference in many people's lives.
You helped me and my cousin who has diabetes. THANK YOU!!!
Jake
Just for about 5 days. It is probably not the full dose either. You know how it is - it can weeks or months to find out if it helps. I will try to keep everyone posted - especially if it helps.
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1 ReactionJake, you are welcome. Come to dinner anytime. I live alone and would love the company. Dorisena
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1 Reaction@dorisena
Don't suppose you live in California?
Jake
I’m new here as well I was diagnosed with SFN 1 year ago I take 4500 mg of gabapentin a day and 300 mg of Quespatine 1/2 in the morning 1/2 at night with 40 mg of Paxil at night for insomnia because of the pain . I still only get about 4 hours sleep . also for aniexty daily 1 mg 2 times a day Clonazepam . I had surgery December 23rd with a permanent Boston Scientific Tens unit all of this With no no help... as with others I’ve read Everything thinks your crazy . Going crazy the pain never shuts off know matter what you do or take . I don’t feel hot or cold sensations / I’ve even tried the bed stinging technique for Neuropathy was stung 10 on one leg and and 10 on the other 3 different sessions with a neperapin in waiting incase I had a reaction. Didn’t even know I was getting stung I asked when he was going to get started and I’d already been stung he said the stingers our still in your leg pumping the venom . Seems there is no help
Just live with it I just can’t swallow that .
Hello @milesdaviskindofblue, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to hear you haven't found much relief for the Neuropathy pain. There is another discussion you may want to read through to learn what other members have shared helps them.
Member Neuropathy Journey Stories: What's Yours?:
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/member-neuoropathy-journey-stories-whats-yours/
Also, you might find this article on Treatment Options and Pain Management posted by @steeldove helpful.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/use-new-article-about-treating-peripheral-neuropathy/
What's the worst of your neuropathy symptoms if you had to rate them?
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