Neuropathy: Anyone have any experience with gabapentin?

@ilovedoodie and all ... The DMV clerk who told me that I couldn't have a driver's license if I was taking Tramadol said in a snippy tone: "A Driver's License is a privilege, not a right". I was so taken aback that I didn't have the wit to point out that: in America, our judicial system takes away people's privileges to punish them for crimes they have been convicted of. People's privileges are not taken away just because they have the potential to do harm. We all have the potential to do harm, should we all be punished right now? You do too - should your privileges be taken away too? Maybe it's a good thing that I asked for the supervisor instead of saying anything snippy back - the clerk kind of held all the cards.

PS, I'm from Los Angeles and we didn't have to list our meds to get a license there. My stepfather was still flying airplanes when he was in his 80's and half deaf; they didn't ask for meds for his pilot's license and they didn't do any hearing or eyesight tests either.

Peggy

@ilovedoodie I wish I had a dollar for every time a message I'd spent a lot of time on just disappear, and I have no idea where to find it. So frustrating!

I don't think I've ever tried Tramadol. I'll look it up. I have a prescription for Clonazepam 1mg at bedtime and a second one as needed. It helps me to lie still in bed and I think it is limiting the nocturnal panic attacks. Those attacks are no fun at all.

I limit my coffee intake to a couple of mugs before noon.

Jim

@jimhd If I understood you correctly you take Clonazepam. Tramadol is an opioid. Clonazepam and opioids can have side effects. I know someone who was taking Clonazepam and after a surgery the doctor prescribed them Percocet. Those two together incapacitated that individual. They didn't have enough strength to get into bed on their own or get up and go to the bathroom on their own. Once the Percocet wore off they were fine. So, be careful if you take Clonazepam with any opioid.

@jimhd If I understood you correctly you take Clonazepam. Tramadol is an opioid. Clonazepam and opioids can have side effects. I know someone who was taking Clonazepam and after a surgery the doctor prescribed them Percocet. Those two together incapacitated that individual. They didn't have enough strength to get into bed on their own or get up and go to the bathroom on their own. Once the Percocet wore off they were fine. So, be careful if you take Clonazepam with any opioid.

@fredjan2016 I am also prescribed Clonazepam, Tramadol, and Oxycodone. No issue

@laurask I'm glad you are not having any problems. The situation I was talking about scared me. The person was taking Clonazepam 3 or 4 times a day as prescribed by the doctor. I hope nobody has the experience they had. My pharmacist told me they are known to interact after I asked him. Hopefully, this was an isolated instance, but it was real and repeatable for this individual. Just thought I should share a real life experience.

Good morning @sjhedcon 🙂 I took Gabapentin for several months and just recently switched to Lyrica due to the late arriving Gaba side effects.

I realize you are 'reluctant' rather than being critical so this is not directed at you, but is instead for all new folks reading this thread: Gabapentin is not a 'bad' drug. The potential side-effects are just that: Potential. Not everyone experiences the side effects, and when they do they don't experience them in the same way or with the same intensity.

I've seen many people slag Gabapentin with an unbelievable intensity, proclaiming it is a horrid drug that should be taken off the market. I think 'Wow, you should see what happens to me when I take sulfa drugs, but I'm not demanding they be discontinued so no one has access to them just because I go into medical distress...'

I hope you are able to find relief from your symptoms. Nerve pain is definitely difficult to treat 🙁