Can gabapentin cause muscle pain and cramps in arms & legs?

Hi, I'm Elizabeth, I have been on gabapentin for many years now and thank God I have never had any side effects from it. I have had a side effect from topermate. This is a drug that helps with pain. I used it for many years and it caused me to get sores on me. I am getting some thing like cramps in my right leg and the pain is so bad and it last for some time. I don't know if gabapentin is doing that or not. Taking drugs for a long time could, I guess do that. I don't know.

I have found out by myself that taking magnesium and zinc stops restless leg syndrome, I know cause I have that problem as well. I had done research on this.

Have you been able to wean off of gabapentin since your spinal cord stimulator has been activated?

Hey there! Glad you asked. I e used Gabapentin off and on for arthritis pain- made me dizzy so stopped. Recently tried it as it was recommended for Neuropathy- some help for foot pain but now that you mention muscle spasms I think I’ve had a few mild ones since back on Gabapentin!
Good Lord what am we old folks do?!? 😢

Please, a simple answer. Can Gabapentin cause leg cramps? I take 300 mg gabapentin in the morning, 200 mg at lunch and 200 at dinner. Last night I had a leg cramp so severe it rolled me off the bed and lasted for about 5 minutes. Enough pain to make a grown man want to cry. I was concerned that going back to sleep might trigger the cramp again. I have peripheral neuropathy, arthritis and vertical foramen stenosis. I take 220 mg of Naproxen twice a day and about 3000 mg Acetaminophen . I realize I asked for a simple answer then rambled on about meds but it is Gabapentin I am concerned with

Hi @dunkinmacdougall, You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic here so that you can meet other members with the same question like @sadeyes, @elizabeth68 and others.

Simple answer - Yes, gabapentin is a medication that can cause leg cramps.
-- Leg cramping: https://www.bassmedicalgroup.com/vein-center-conditions/leg-cramping

Thanks for the help. It seems the gabapentin and naproxen may contribute. i will start cutting back to see if the relief is offset.

I take gabapentin for peripheral neuropathy. I also take naproxen. Mainly at night to try to get some sleep. And, "yes", I do sometimes have leg cramps.

I have severe Restless Leg Syndrome and Peripheral Neuropathy. I take 400mg Gabapentin at dinner and another 800mg at bedtime for the restless legs, and it's been helpful. I also take 500mg Naproxen twice a day (breakfast and dinner) for herniated disc, Tarlov Cyst, and the neuropathy.

I've had a lot of problems with severe muscle cramps in my legs from taking statins (developed Rhabdomyolysis), but none from Gabapentin or Naproxen so far as I can tell.

We are all different, though, and our bodies may act differently in reaction to the same drugs. I tell you my story in case you are on statins, or supplements that contain statins or can have the same side effects as statins, such as red yeast rice or plant sterols and stanols (like Cholestoff).

Best wishes that you find an answer soon,
Kerstin

Thank you for that answer! Same thing is happening to me. Didn’t know it could be gabapentin related.