Gabapentin

I hate that sledgehammer! I found out the hard way that I wasn’t drinking enough water. I had about 7-8 sledgehammers in a week in the SAME calf! Ended up with muscle tears.

I have neuropathy from Sjögren’s. We who have this auto-immune disorder have extreme dryness issues, eyes, sinus, all mucosa and salivary glands are affected.

So I started tracking my water intake a d made sure I was getting more water and I’ve only had 1 cramp since then, it’s been months.

So drink lots of water and don’t assume you do, as I did, keep track.

Gabapentin takes away most of my neuropathy symptons. I don't know how it could be the Cause of symptoms since it is an anti-seizure medication. It relaxes the nervous system so that the nerves stop carrying false messages of pain. There aren't any pins sticking into my feet, so the feeling of pins sticking in my feet is a false message delivered by my dying/freaking out nervous system. I don't know why my nervous sytem doesn't send false messages of pleasure instead ... Peggy

Well maybe we can retrain our brains to read “pain” as pleasure. Wouldn’t that be great? Have been reading about neuroplasticity and pain management. It’s all worth a try.

Read about some ways to calm anxiety and helpful sleep aids. One technique I’ve been using this week (and on the plane when I was sitting in the LAST row window next to a very large muscular guy who barely fit in his seat) is to count backwards by 3’s. I can’t believe how well it works. I even dosed on that flight!

Yes, I used "mind over matter" to put myself into a trance when I was on a moving train and I was going to get motion sickness if I didn't do something. This was in the 60's, before we had sea-sick medicine for kids. And I have used 'guided imagery' to get to sleep and overcome insomnia. It makes sense that my brain might be able to change pain signals from my nervous system into pleasure instead of pain. Hmmm ... food for thought. I wonder if there is a book about self-hypnosis or guided imagery for pain control. Let's all see what we can find. It can't hurt to try, right? Peggy

Hello: If you find a book, please let me know. Thank you, Harriet

@pfbacon and @skeleton - Here are a couple of references on the topic that might be helpful for you.

-- The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity
by Norman Doidge: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22522293-the-brain-s-way-of-healing
-- What is Neuroplasticity? A Psychologist Explains [+14 Exercises]: https://positivepsychology.com/neuroplasticity/

Hello @bugsplatterbeast and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. @jakedduck1 shared some helpful information on his experience with medication that can cause neuropathy.

This article may be helpful as you continue to try to pinpoint if Gabapentin may be involved in your neuropathy onset.

- What are the side effects of gabapentin?:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323753
Reference info: "tingling in the hands and feet - listed as a long term rare side effect that requires medical attention"

I wonder if seeking a second opinion would be helpful in your case?

Yes, I used "mind over matter" to put myself into a trance when I was on a moving train and I was going to get motion sickness if I didn't do something. This was in the 60's, before we had sea-sick medicine for kids. And I have used 'guided imagery' to get to sleep and overcome insomnia. It makes sense that my brain might be able to change pain signals from my nervous system into pleasure instead of pain. Hmmm ... food for thought. I wonder if there is a book about self-hypnosis or guided imagery for pain control. Let's all see what we can find. It can't hurt to try, right? Peggy