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

I'm very sorry to hear of the challenges. One thought that comes to mind is the reason why a medical professional would prescribe it. It my case, I've had multiple low back operations & am preparing for disc replacement in my neck in February. In both cases neuropathy was my issue, some temporary while other nerves are permanently damaged. After surgery, I was taking more than 3K mg daily for awhile, and then tapered down to only 300 mg /day over time. After a year, my lumbar fusions had solidified & healed & I had reached my new normal. Walking fir exercise, stretching, and basic daily work became anew. Yes I was limited due to a lot of factors, but I felt great. As I aged, I began to have leg cramps at my shin and certain muscles at the top of my foot associated with L4 & L5 nerve roots. After my annual physical one year, I noticed my kidney function #'s didn't look so hot. As I compared them over the years, I saw the decline clearly. So rather than just drinking 8 cups of " liquid" daily, I switched it to just filtered water and made 128 oz per day my baseline. As I maintained my stretching routine, combined with the water, it helped my cramping but didn't stop it. I'm now using 600 mg of gabapentin upon waking, & 900 mg at bedtime. These three things, increased water, eating a balanced diet, stretching, & increasing GABA, has done the trick. Anyway that's my story & I hope it benefits someone. I wish you all the very best. Peace be with you.

I take GABA on and off for pain. Many issues including Lumbar Fusion and crushed foot.
It helps some but it really knocks me out at night so thats when I take it. The last time it caused mild confusion so I am no longer willing to take it. I am not sure why they prescribe this so liberally to patients as it really is meant for neuropathies in smaller nerves like diabetic foot. My guess is then Oxycotin news became the big header they had to find something else. This was one of those. I always took a micro dose, 100mg. Maybe your dose is too high. Anything is possible as each of us have different reactions to medications and if it started shortly after taking your new medication it is possible. Maybe its effecting your electrolyte balance such as Potassium and Magnesium. Certainly worth discussing with your provider.

Magnesium deficiency is very common among the general population. I use a spray that you put on your legs, back, or wherever you are hurting. It also helps with sleep and muscle cramping. You can also take it as a supplement, but would have to ask your Dr. which one would be best for you.

I am 68 and my back is terrible. You first need to know if it is arthritis or nerve. Their is a stimulator you can have surgically implanted for the back pain. But it works best if you have nerve pain. My back pain is so bad I barely stand it. I take 6 Tylenol a day and 8 Tramadol’s a day and it is barely cutting through the pain.

It's not common among the general population. Magnesium deficiency is possible when there are underlying health problems but for most people it is rare.

I have had this problem at high doses when I took it for pain from bi- lateral carpel tunnel after surgery they gave it to me for swelling
I stoped taken it my legs would hurt so bad I’m sorry you are going threw this everyone responds differently to medications

I took gabapentin and I put a lot of weight on. I am already a large women with diabetes

@cookieyoder you really should talk to your doctor about medication because everyone responds differently to medication it might be something other then your medication going on hun but hang in there it will all work out

Gabbana is the worst thing a person can take.from personal experience it causes leg spasms among countless other effects. I just read a notice in legal posting the manufacturer is being sued by law firms across the country. Head pain, vision impairment, leg spasms, cramps, sleep problems, mood swings. Are just some.

Yes these things happen they are called side affects and you need to read the information they give you when you get the medication and decide for yourself if you want to to take it or not
All medications have side affects that’s just how it is and like I said everyone reacts to medication differently mine is a low dose and if I feel these symptoms I stop taking it for awhile myself