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Difference between Pregabalin and Gabapentin

Posted by karlag1953 @karlag1953, Mar 22, 2023

I am currently taking Pregabalin that was prescribed by my VA PCP, I have neuropathy in legs and feet. Which is questionable for 2 back/fusion surgeries or from Type 2 Diabetes. But, my question is what is the difference in Pregabalin and Gabapentin? What are the advantages/ disadvantages of either drug. I’ve been taking Pregabalin for years. Thank you so much for your comments.

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rmacgown | @rmacgown | Mar 28, 2023

I know everyone is different, but I could not tolerate Gabapentin. I had confusion, headaches and fatigue within the first 2 days. I switched to Lyrica, (Pregabalin), and had much better results.

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momsys | @momsys | Mar 28, 2023

My doctor has me on both…and my foot still burns.

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helene71 | @helene71 | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @cgs "Thank you I really appreciate your question I have type 2 diabetes also have degenerative disc..." + (show)
@cgs

Thank you I really appreciate your question I have type 2 diabetes also have degenerative disc and back problems I have sciatica and legner pain and my feet burn from neuropathy I don't know the difference between the two drugs either I only have been on gabapentin and it seems to be not working quite as well even though the dose is much higher I take 600 mg three times a day my doctor recently added a third 300 mg at night time but when I wake up in the morning I'm very numb I'm almost afraid to take the third 300 mg at night time I wake up so out of it

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DON'T DO IT!! Doctors get a kickback from dispensing scripts from Big Pharma.
More is not better. Less would be better for you.

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idumas | @idumas | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @katcollins "Gabapentin also made me very tired. I actually thought it was my symptoms progressing but I..." + (show)
@katcollins

Gabapentin also made me very tired. I actually thought it was my symptoms progressing but I switched to Lyrica and I’m not falling asleep midday. I did feel very confused at times but that was a symptom for me as well. It is hard to tell if it was worse with the Gabapentin. Overall it helped my pain and numbness tremendously. The Lyrica is not helping as much for me so far. Has anyone else switched he’s between these two medications?
Best of luck to you all,
Kat

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I was in gabapentin for two months. I didn’t get any pain relief and it caused me to have depression. My neurologist couldn’t suggest any other med because I take med for diabetes Insipidus, which is not related to diabetes mellitus, and also med for glaucoma. And these meds according to neurologist wouldn’t be compatible with the meds I am taking. I just use ibuprofen and Tylenol along with Xanax.

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1 reply
wendyhobbie | @wendyhobbie | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @katcollins "Gabapentin also made me very tired. I actually thought it was my symptoms progressing but I..." + (show)
@katcollins

Gabapentin also made me very tired. I actually thought it was my symptoms progressing but I switched to Lyrica and I’m not falling asleep midday. I did feel very confused at times but that was a symptom for me as well. It is hard to tell if it was worse with the Gabapentin. Overall it helped my pain and numbness tremendously. The Lyrica is not helping as much for me so far. Has anyone else switched he’s between these two medications?
Best of luck to you all,
Kat

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The dosage of the Gabapentine was the lowest dose which made me a little tired at first. I tried Lyrica alone and with Gabapentine. Little difference. Now I’m taking the highest dose 3 times a day with no noticeable improvement.

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1 reply
gina5009 | @gina5009 | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @wendyhobbie "The dosage of the Gabapentine was the lowest dose which made me a little tired at..." + (show)
@wendyhobbie

The dosage of the Gabapentine was the lowest dose which made me a little tired at first. I tried Lyrica alone and with Gabapentine. Little difference. Now I’m taking the highest dose 3 times a day with no noticeable improvement.

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Have you tried Pregabapetin. I took Gabapentin but no success. The Pregabapetin has been a miracle for me. I take a very low dose, but my use is for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Gina 5009

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2 replies
gina5009 | @gina5009 | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @gina5009 "Have you tried Pregabapetin. I took Gabapentin but no success. The Pregabapetin has been a miracle..." + (show)
@gina5009

Have you tried Pregabapetin. I took Gabapentin but no success. The Pregabapetin has been a miracle for me. I take a very low dose, but my use is for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Gina 5009

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Sorry, that should be Pregabolin.
Gina5009

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bettyg81pain | @bettyg81pain | Mar 31, 2023
In reply to @gina5009 "Have you tried Pregabapetin. I took Gabapentin but no success. The Pregabapetin has been a miracle..." + (show)
@gina5009

Have you tried Pregabapetin. I took Gabapentin but no success. The Pregabapetin has been a miracle for me. I take a very low dose, but my use is for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Gina 5009

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How much do you take? I have been taking 2 x 25 at night ony; but, today my legs really hurt!!

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gina5009 | @gina5009 | Mar 31, 2023

sorrym I spelled the medication incorrectly. It is Pregabolin. I take 25 mg twice a day, but I have taken as much as 375 mg three times a day. This made me extremely tired and I was sleeping most of the day. I occasionaly still get pain in my jaw, so I put Ambesole (baby teething medication on the gums and this seems so solve the problem).
Gina 5009

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crossette | @crossette | Apr 3, 2023

If you can exercise, like hiking, walking or biking, you should do it. Several times a week. Aim for 150 to 200 minutes total per week. This is probably the best medicine for PN that you can get. I have tried them all over the last 16 years of foot and leg PN due to a back injury. Exercise is the best and it is excellent medicine for all parts of the body, even your brain. Research has shown this time and time again.

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