Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

Have you tried IVIG? I have not tried it but heard it works on others. It is expensive without insurance, perhaps your doctor can help you get coverage if you don’t already have it.

Jake, I get exactly the same thing. It is listed in the gabapentin side effects that it can cause pain in lots of areas - increased aches and pains, side pains, chest pains etc. I’ve jumped up to 2,700mg a day and I’ve experienced way more pain and side effects. Before I bumped the dose up my episodes of higher pain lasted hours but now they’ve dropped. My regular spasms are shorter and my bouts of severe pain only last about an hour now. I’m way more clumsy and foggy in the brain though, so I’m not sure what’s better 😅. I’m sure it’s a side effect that a lot of us get. My other half says I’m in more pain since upping. Maybe it’s best sometimes to have another set of eyes.

Maybe Gaba isn't the right med for you. I don't see how it could make pain worse since all it is capable of doing is relaxing the nervous system. Doctors have increased my doses of Gabapentin over the 3 years that I've been taking it because Neuropathy gets worse as we age so it takes more medicine to combat it. Peggy

Maybe Gaba isn't the right med for you. I don't see how it could make pain worse since all it can do is relax the nervous system. Doctors have increased my doses of Gabapentin over the 3 years that I've been taking it because Neuropathy gets worse as we age so it takes more medicine to combat it. That's just me, we're all different and there are several different types of Neuropathy. I hope you find a medicine that helps. Peggy

I've read everyone's post with interest, since after upping my dose of gaba to 1800 (per my physiatrist) I am in worse pain than on the 900 a day--shooting pain. But I had no pain initially with the 900, but then had burning pain, like when I began. I've now been on the drug for a month. The phys. gave me an epidural shot for sacro-iliac joint (not new to me), and then my pain got much worse. Is it a coincidence? I'm seeing my neurologist for alternatives to gaba. Please--can others chime in on what has worked for them after gaba? Or how do you all handle the even-higher doses? Has that alleviated the pain for you? Am I taking the med wrong? As you may be able to tell, I'm desperate and feel hopeless. Thanks, Frankie.

@frankie7 Your post stopped me in my tracks. I am not a fan of Gabapentin and yet I know that it takes away the numbness in my hands, wrists, and arms. Probably helps with pain there also. I cannot take it during the day as I get woozy and dizzy. So we (neurologist and I) moved Gabapentin to bedtime only and I have tapered off it with my clinician's approval. So now I only take 600 mg at night. What did I replace the rest of it with? Medical cannabis. I have been using it for pain control for several years now.

I can moderate the dosage as needed. I use different dosages as well as different types for different situations. My diagnosis is small fiber neuropathy and I am now aware of the progression that occurs. It is very challenging.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

@frankie7
Hi there,
I've taken gabapentin several times. Initially right when it first came out to help my seizures, it didn’t. I took the maximum dose of 3,600 and had no side effects but the seizures continued. I didn’t notice that it helped my neuropathy pain either so I discontinued it. later I took 1200 mg and then I either upped it to 1800 or I took it out of raider gate, again no effect on seizures or neuropathy. my brother cakes 3,200 mg and it helps him substantially. eventually I started using the fentanyl patch which helped my neuropathy and my pain syndrome.
Believe it or not Gabapentin actually is one of the most frequently prescribed medications for epilepsy patients. It actually has a low side effect profile compared to other seizure medications although not the lowest. Your side effects are dependent on how quickly you titrate to the dose the doctor is recomendimg. Also side effects decrease over time, usually several months, give or take.
For me opiates helped the most. I no longer have pain only numbness which combined with seizure meds is a balance catastrophe nearly everyday.
Have you tried Lyrica? I know people who take it for Fibromyalgia although when I talk to people about it most don't like it including myself. I filed a complaint with the FDA regarding it.
Take care,
Jake

Thank you, Chris. Your comment is very helpful because it shows me that gabapentin can be tailored and that I have alternatives. I see a neurologist for the first time this Friday. I will ask him about cannabis. I am glad you wrote to me before my appointment. Thanks again for your information and your good wishes. Wishing you the same.

If you don’t mind me asking Chris, I’m wondering how long you were taking Gabapentin before your numbness decreased? I’ve been on it about 1.5 years now, but the first year was for liver pain. After my transplant I had tapered off for about a month, but started it again for neuropathy pain. My numbness keeps getting worse though, although it does help some with pain, especially the sharp pain. And, it puts me to sleep. I take 200-300 mg just at night. When I used it for liver pain I also used medical cannabis. Unfortunately I can’t now do to interaction with one of my anti rejection meds.

Thank you! Athena

Oh Oh....I missed this question. Let's see......how long was I on Gabapentin.....I think it was quite quickly. That is why I worked on the side effects with my neurologist.

Chris