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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No and I don’t want to be up in the middle of the night to take medications. I’m lucky when I do sleep!

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@bustrbrwn22

@jackdiffley may I ask what Cymbalta helps with and why you take in the am not the pm?

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Cymbalta Lyrica etc are used to reduce pain. My pain management doctor me taking gabapentin 600 mg 3X a day. my neurologist suggested reducing the gabapentin to 800 a day and Cymbalta once a day starting at 30 mg to see how I reacted and then to 60 mg

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@jackdiffley

Cymbalta helps me 12 years with neuropathy. Gabapentin 800 mg at dinner 60 mg Cymbalta at breakfast. no tingling or pain in feet which are numb

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Thanks for sharing about your experience with Gabapentin. You mentioned you've had neuropathy for 12 years. Are you on disability because of it, or are you still able to work?

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@jackdiffley

Cymbalta Lyrica etc are used to reduce pain. My pain management doctor me taking gabapentin 600 mg 3X a day. my neurologist suggested reducing the gabapentin to 800 a day and Cymbalta once a day starting at 30 mg to see how I reacted and then to 60 mg

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@jackdiffley I am sorry about my earlier question. Reading it back today it sounds like I’m a jerk. I really wanted to see if Cymbalta makes you sleepy or energetic and that’s why you take it instead of Gabapentin at different times. Do you find Cymbalta to give you an energy boost or just reduce pain? Thanks so much.

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@bustrbrwn22

@jackdiffley I am sorry about my earlier question. Reading it back today it sounds like I’m a jerk. I really wanted to see if Cymbalta makes you sleepy or energetic and that’s why you take it instead of Gabapentin at different times. Do you find Cymbalta to give you an energy boost or just reduce pain? Thanks so much.

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I'll let you know if you're a jerk. lol. Cymbalta took a week or so not to feel lethargic but eventually made me feel pain free. No energy boost. I do go to the gym 2-3 times a week plus yoga on a chair once a week. I'm a big guy 6'7" 265#. Been an athlete all my life but had both hips replaced and both knees replaced and neuropathy ruined balance so I need to stay in shape as best I cab

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@txsongbird

Thanks for sharing about your experience with Gabapentin. You mentioned you've had neuropathy for 12 years. Are you on disability because of it, or are you still able to work?

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no disability, work 2-3 hours a day. semi-retired. 72 yrs young.
6'7" 265# gym 2-3 times a week, yoga in a chair due to having both hips and knees replaced. Neuropathy took Away golf due to balance. Are you a Texas gal? my daughter and family live in Carrollton, Dallas County

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@jackdiffley

I'll let you know if you're a jerk. lol. Cymbalta took a week or so not to feel lethargic but eventually made me feel pain free. No energy boost. I do go to the gym 2-3 times a week plus yoga on a chair once a week. I'm a big guy 6'7" 265#. Been an athlete all my life but had both hips replaced and both knees replaced and neuropathy ruined balance so I need to stay in shape as best I cab

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@jackdiffley thanks for responding. How long does the pain relief from Cymbalta last?

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Yes I had been taking gabapentin since1999 with NO improvement. Finally the doctor stopped prescribing them for me last year . I know take nothing but vitamins that are good for the nerves. Also use over the counter cream to help stop the burning. Has anyone found anything that might help with the burning.??

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@annie88

Yes I had been taking gabapentin since1999 with NO improvement. Finally the doctor stopped prescribing them for me last year . I know take nothing but vitamins that are good for the nerves. Also use over the counter cream to help stop the burning. Has anyone found anything that might help with the burning.??

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Hi @annie88, There is another discussion you might find helpful for the burning...

— Burning feet and legs:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-feet-and-legs/

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@annie88

Yes I had been taking gabapentin since1999 with NO improvement. Finally the doctor stopped prescribing them for me last year . I know take nothing but vitamins that are good for the nerves. Also use over the counter cream to help stop the burning. Has anyone found anything that might help with the burning.??

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Gabapentin did nothing for me except turn me into a zombie and gain about 100 lbs.

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