Neuropathy: Anyone have any experience with gabapentin?

Posted by sjhedcon @sjhedcon, Mar 21, 2020

I have loss of feeling in my feet and tingling sensation. My doctor prescribed gabapentin. I read the side effects and decided not to take this med.
Anyone have any experience with gabapentin?

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@yojimbob

I have used it off and on for several years . There are a lot of side effects . Anger , trouble urinating, ear ringing are a few I have experienced. I had a question myself for others who have taken it . Does it take away the numbness and make your feet feel normal ? It does for me and I was wondering if this was a common thing for everyone . Once the dose wears off my numbness returns . I used to only use it when I had pain . I would use it for a few days then stop . Now I have pain all the time . So I use it all the time now with Cymbalta which seems to take the edge off of the anger some .

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For me, the Gabapentin has a definite contribution to reducing the nerve pain in my extremities. It takes an edge off my tingling. It does very little for my numbness though. I thank my PT for managing balance, coordination, and muscle strength while feeling constant numbness. It’s really interesting how one medicine can affect us all in so many different ways.

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@deke4fun

I’ve had peripheral neuropathy for 20 years. Tried both Lyrica and Gabapentin in my opinion both are junk. They became popular when the idiots at the FDA and the DEA decided that they knew more than your personal doctor on how to treat your pain!! So now most states regulate how many or much opioids you shall receive a month. It’s a joke a sad joke. Millions of people are suffering everyday because of the nitwits at our esteemed government agencies!! I just want to live pain free!

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I'm with you. Socialized medicine!!!!!!!!

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Only have foot neuropathy in the evening hours, started after full knee replacement and doctors/surgeons don’t know why.
Gabapetin does help me at night, sleeping without trouble.
Don’t notice any side effects. 600-900 msg depending on degree of
discomfort.

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Allergic to amitriptyline, nortriptyline didn't work, extreme swelling with Lyrica. Gabapentin was the only thing that they could offer me. Worked good for first year- not very much now. Just enough to keep me from jumping off the bridge. I have been through too ,too much. Fused c2-t2, three ruptured lumbar discs and now, severe neuropathy for 3 years. I am asking my Dr about a SCS next week. Had my MRI just yesterday. Waiting for the results.

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@deb1972

Allergic to amitriptyline, nortriptyline didn't work, extreme swelling with Lyrica. Gabapentin was the only thing that they could offer me. Worked good for first year- not very much now. Just enough to keep me from jumping off the bridge. I have been through too ,too much. Fused c2-t2, three ruptured lumbar discs and now, severe neuropathy for 3 years. I am asking my Dr about a SCS next week. Had my MRI just yesterday. Waiting for the results.

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@deb1972
Good morning,
I was just curious what dosage you were taking?
Perhaps all you need is an increased dose or have you tried that?
The maximum dose of gabapentin is 3,600 mg per day provided and side effects if any, are manageable. Perhaps adding another medication to Gabapentin might be beneficial.
Jake

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@jakedduck1

@deb1972
Good morning,
I was just curious what dosage you were taking?
Perhaps all you need is an increased dose or have you tried that?
The maximum dose of gabapentin is 3,600 mg per day provided and side effects if any, are manageable. Perhaps adding another medication to Gabapentin might be beneficial.
Jake

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For some time, I was taking 3200 mg Gabapentin a day but it caused a major problem with my intestinal system. I dropped to 2400 mg day. I am actually looking forward to the trial with the SCS . I also have a intrathecal pain pump and have been on 4 mg of morphine a day through that for almost 15 years. Unfortunately, opioids don't work on neuropathy. Perhaps if the SCS works, I won't need the pain pump replaced next year when the battery runs out. It will be the third pump for me .

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It did not relieve my postherpetic neuralgia pain and couldn’t function while on it.

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@deb1972

Allergic to amitriptyline, nortriptyline didn't work, extreme swelling with Lyrica. Gabapentin was the only thing that they could offer me. Worked good for first year- not very much now. Just enough to keep me from jumping off the bridge. I have been through too ,too much. Fused c2-t2, three ruptured lumbar discs and now, severe neuropathy for 3 years. I am asking my Dr about a SCS next week. Had my MRI just yesterday. Waiting for the results.

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I'm sorry you are dealing with this, too. It's awful.

Can you tell us what SCS is, please? Thanks ahead of time.

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@txsongbird

I'm sorry you are dealing with this, too. It's awful.

Can you tell us what SCS is, please? Thanks ahead of time.

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A SCS is a spinal cord stimulator. I am opting for the Nevro HFX. It is the best one available now- so much stronger than the others on the market. Thank you for your concern.

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@deb1972

A SCS is a spinal cord stimulator. I am opting for the Nevro HFX. It is the best one available now- so much stronger than the others on the market. Thank you for your concern.

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@txsongbird and @deb1972, There are a few discussions on spinal cord stimulators that you might be interested in reading what has been shared.

-- Comparison of Spinal Cord Stimulators from Boston Sci., Nevro:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/comparison-of-spinal-cord-stimulators-from-boston-sci-nevro/
-- Spinal cord stimulation: Will Nevro help when Medtronic didn't?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nevro/
-- CRPS and Nevro SCS:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/crps-and-nevro-scs/

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