Hello @mistic, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I'm sorry to hear the medication is not helping with the sharp stabbing pains. From what I've read the gabapentin normally starts working in 2 to 3 hours but it may take up to 4 weeks for the full effect to take place. Here's some information on the drug.

Gabapentin: 7 things you should know: https://www.drugs.com/tips/gabapentin-patient-tips

Have you talked with your doctor or neurologist to let them know it's not helping?

Hi, Please hang in there and know in time it will get better. Have you connected with a pain clinic? Also, maybe a place like the Mayo Clinic? I don’t think you have adequate pain relief. I’ve been there many times and I’ve felt desperate. I have nerve pain throughout my body and it is horrible. I took gabapentin and low dose tramadol and ibuprofen for 17 years without ever going over the prescribed amount of tramadol, always under the prescribed amount. I had flares of horrible pain but I could keep it under control. It recently spread throughout my body and I was referred to a major pain clinic. They recommended switching from gabapentin to Lyrica and they also recommended other medications like Cymbalta. I was prescribed an anti-depressant when the nerve pain began 20 years ago. I stayed on it for a year and it really helped me feel like I could deal with the pain.

Be careful with the gabapentin. I too was on 3600 mg which is the top of the recommended dosage. Drink the recommended amount of water. Make sure your doctor (and you) are watching your kidney function via blood work. I now have stage 3 chronic kidney disease probably from pain meds. I had a spinal cord stimulator placed two years ago and it cut my gabapentin in half. I’m sorry you’re suffering from so much pain. I also get that you don’t care about anything else when you’re consumed by pain. Good luck.