Gabapentin vs Side Effects

60 pounds unplanned weight loss???? I was thrilled at the 20 pound loss as I gained when I was on Lyrica.Hope to loose more as I get off more drugs AND get this crazy edema under control. I often lose/gain 5-8 pounds overnight, fluid retention. So, congestive heart failure....but with the water therapy exercise my heart is improving! That's a lot of Lyrica you're taking. It is a great drug, helped me a lot, but I'm glad to be off it and others. Much clearer thinking, it's as though the world has light again.....Hopefully, you'll continue to get relief and never experience the side effects. Yes, I'm doing well now. It's a struggle, isn't it? I'm so excited with where I am now after so many years of wrong or no diagnoses and bad treatment. I believe in miracles and am proof they do exist! So thankful for every morning! Hope they find what's going on with you and your days get better and better!

Unfortunately I have had to accept that I need the Gabapentin for pain. I tried cutting back as suggested by the Neurologist P.A.and my pain skyrocketed! I didn't think it could get any worse but I was wrong. I have had to accept the 600mg, 3x a day ritual and all the side effects. Either have brain fog and dizziness or literally be writhing with pain.

On top of my fibromyalgia pain and pinched nerves I tripped over some filled garbage bags and did something to my upper right arm. I am unable to put any pressure on it and have been wrapped with a heating pad. I am literally counting down the days till my first appointment at the pain clinic in January.

I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. I've experienced this mess since I was in my 30's. I'm 73 now. Back then, no one knew anything about what I was going through, thought it was mostly in my head!!! We wormen went through many years of the doctors telling us everything was caused by our hormones, our nerves, all in the head. Thanksfully, we have wonderful docs now who listen, hear and have so much more knowledge, such different attitude. Lyrica was a good drug for my pain and restless leg syndrome. I've replaced it, due to the side effects, with 1:1 CBD/THC, Voltaron as needed, wonderful water therapy at the Y heated pool. These seem to be an answer for now. I do love the clarily of thinking I have now and the weight loss of course. I'm taking Requip (dopomine) for the restless leg syndrome. It's wonderful, better than Lyrica for that. It also helps me with balance, walking, lifting my legs/feet. I've found a good drug for me! Bless you and make you get the relief you need. Thinking of you.

My doctor warned me about weight gain with Lyrica, so I didn't even want to try it.

Perhaps you could suggest to your doctor to try you on other medications proven to help with fibromyalgia. I’ve tried a few and Cymbalta has significantly reduced my pain.

I’ve tried them all ! It doesn’t help ! None of those drugs do . I have arthritis as well and can not take any anti inflammatory meds as I have had a stomach bleed !

It’s really bologna that the government has control on drugs when there are really circumstances that people need them

I’ve had 1 good day this week ! 1!

i couldn't/wouldn't take gabapentin because when I took it it affected my brain. I couldn't remember what my medicine was for or who gave it to me.

Ok, folks. Here's what I've lived and what I think. I've taken Lyrica, Neurontin (gabapantin), ibuprophen 800 mg/4Xdaily, Celebrex, Cymbalta, and a plethara of other drugs. I'm now 73, have had very serious arthritis for years, degenerative bone disease, osteoporosis at age 35, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, Barretts Esophogus, diverticulitis, I grow a forest of colon polyps!, seizure disorder, diabetes, Sarcoid, and other diseases and issues. I have a lot of pain. Now, All of these meds have helped me at some time with some things, none have been all things. None of the pain meds took away the pain. Lyrica was great for restless leg syndrome which was/is extremely bad, cramping of my toes/feet/legs/hips/back at night, peripheral neuropothy, and some pain. It caused brain fog and memory issues. I tapered off it w/doctor oversight. Neurontin is wonderful for nerve pain! For me! It helped my back, neck, etc. But, it caused side effects like thinking, etc that I choose not to deal with. So, my doc weaned me off. I don't take any of the above meds anymore and I've found other methods of relief. Here's what I do: water therapy 2X weekly- warm therapy pool, exercise in the pool (walking across the pool, etc using muscles and strengthening my entire body); walking - with my walker, carefully, at the mall or at Mayo or whatever; I take requip for restless leg syndrome - it works miracles! It works on the dopamine in the brain and I now walk straighter, much less balance issues, can pick up my legs easier and faster....pretty good! Only side effects are great! I take Cymbalta, the highest dose, for fibromyalgia. It works for me. Helps with pain! Extra strength Tylenol, as needed, CBD/THC tincture at night, 1:1. for Pain and anxiety. It works wonders! Melatonine to help w/sleep. It works. Thyroid med keeps so many systems working well. Helps loads with anxiety! Take, during covid and quarantine, a small dose of xanax. It's great. So, that's what I do. It's a combination of things my Mayo docs and I have found will work for me at this time. Things change. Meds work and then don't. Have no side effects, then do. So, we have to stay on top of our bodies and in touch with our doctors to monitor and maintain a decent lifestyle, to help with our pain and issues. I'm ranting. Raving. Just have to share these thoughts and maybe pass on some good ideas for helping yourselves. I've finally stopped raging about 'the system' or the 'doctors' or the 'pharm companies' or life. Wow! What a better life I have now that I've taken control, working with excellent doctors...worked for years to find them! Wishing you the same, blessings to you all.