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

Posted by sadeyes @sadeyes, Jan 28, 2020

Has anyone ever had the experience of Gabapentin causing severe muscle cramps in arms and legs and muscular pain and feeling of weakness? I know it is supposed to basically do the opposite and help with muscular problems......but this has happened twice to me as soon as I started the gaba and it was very severe,

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My legs ache because of sciatica that also started in my rear and the pain travels down my legs.

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@janpeterson65

My recent MRI showed that I have bulging discs at L2-L5 and lots of arthritis in my lower back. Now my legs ache. I do take CBD gummies and occasionally medical marijuana. I was also prescribed Gabapentin 100mg but I'm a little nervous about taking it as I currently take 500mg of Depakote every daily for Epilepsy. On November 21 I got a steroid spinal injection which worked for about 2 1/2 months and I'm due for another soon. Please let me know what else I can do that I might help. I know at 65 I'm getting older but the sore back and legs are hurting.

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Hello @janpeterson65, Welcome to Connect. You might want to take a look at a discussion started by @jenniferhunter on Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR).

-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you heard of Myofascial Release Therapy?

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@johnbishop

Hello @janpeterson65, Welcome to Connect. You might want to take a look at a discussion started by @jenniferhunter on Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR).

-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Have you heard of Myofascial Release Therapy?

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Thank you. I need to find someone in the Twin Cities that does this therapy. I live in Bloomington. I also started seeing a chiropractor which hasn’t quite helped yet

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been on gaba for over 12 years now, init was prop for migraine, now if I go off after ""a very slow taper,,,," never just stop, ran out once and got the hiccups for 2 days til got refill, tried stopping after reading all the negative reports 2 years ago after said slow taper from 2400mg and after a few weeks off it I started getting pinching nerve feelings in chest, legs, and arms, like someone grabbed between 2 fingers and pinched and twisted, after a few tests to rule out I went back on it 1200mg at 4pm and 1200mg at 7pm. now dealing with too many other issues to worry about gaba, D.mg

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@total99

I have been using gabapentin and thought it was helping my peripheral neuropathy pain at night.

I will try going to sleep without it and see how I do. Thanks

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This prescription worked well. But it will also but weight on you quickly.

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@migunner

been on gaba for over 12 years now, init was prop for migraine, now if I go off after ""a very slow taper,,,," never just stop, ran out once and got the hiccups for 2 days til got refill, tried stopping after reading all the negative reports 2 years ago after said slow taper from 2400mg and after a few weeks off it I started getting pinching nerve feelings in chest, legs, and arms, like someone grabbed between 2 fingers and pinched and twisted, after a few tests to rule out I went back on it 1200mg at 4pm and 1200mg at 7pm. now dealing with too many other issues to worry about gaba, D.mg

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oops must be that brain fog, wrong years, 2003 til now, they wanted me on 3000mg i never took that amount,
they cannot answer why it is hiding nerve misfires or what was happening after a little while,

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@janpeterson65

Thank you. I need to find someone in the Twin Cities that does this therapy. I live in Bloomington. I also started seeing a chiropractor which hasn’t quite helped yet

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Boy are you in luck! Chris @artscaping has a great MFR therapist in the Minneapolis area and hopefully can share her thoughts.

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I’ve been getting extremely bad cramps from my legs and feet. I attributed it to a slipped disc that I have, I didn’t consider the medication.

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I suffer from a supposed neuropathy from a Femoral Bypass operation that occurred 7 years ago, I have tried most of the anti-depressants available over the years with mixed results. I am just starting a trial of Cymbalta and Gabapentin and seem to be noticing some relief, I hope it’s not all in my head. The dosing is very important and I am trying to find the relief/side effect ratio that works for me. Best of luck to all sufferers in the New Year!

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@janpeterson65

My recent MRI showed that I have bulging discs at L2-L5 and lots of arthritis in my lower back. Now my legs ache. I do take CBD gummies and occasionally medical marijuana. I was also prescribed Gabapentin 100mg but I'm a little nervous about taking it as I currently take 500mg of Depakote every daily for Epilepsy. On November 21 I got a steroid spinal injection which worked for about 2 1/2 months and I'm due for another soon. Please let me know what else I can do that I might help. I know at 65 I'm getting older but the sore back and legs are hurting.

Jump to this post

Hello~
I also have a bulging disc at L-5....a bit of numbness in my toes as well. I found that turmeric..as well as the combo turmeric formulas have been most helpful..I am also bone on bone in my knees and was suggested I try the turmeric from the surgeon! It works...after a few months of taking it..most of my pain is gone...or at least much more tolerable. I also go to bed with a little pillow under my knees..for a while..I do this as well before I get out of bed in the morning and that alleviates my lower back pains when I do get out of bed! Simple you say?...certainly is..but hey..it's working! Give it a try! good luck! I'm 79..would love to be 65 again! I also take generic Keppra..had two grand mal's a few years ago..don't want another! I don't like to take Rx's...I do a lot of moist heat on my back and knees in the daytime...also have a far-infrared belt (LifePro)...that's really been helping me with Thoracic pain from 3 compression frx's. I wrap it around my knees as well for a 20 minute treatment. Best to you!

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