Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

Interesting, I had a similar experience 7 months ago. I had a corticosteroid injection in my hip for what my Dr. thought was a lingering ear infection and I immediately had pain which developed into very severe hip and leg pain, radiating pain down both legs, much worse at night, over the following 2 weeks. Eventually the Dr prescribed Gabapentin and Acyclovir. I took the Acyclovir first and was better within hours, so I never took the Gabapentin, but the Dr wants me to quit the Acyclovir and take the Gabapentin. I am not sure why. I have tried not taking the Acyclovir, but after about 12 hrs the pain is back and it is very severe. Has anyone else tried both of these drugs and is there a preference. I have yet to see a neurologist. I made an appt a few months ago - for April.

the only experience I had was with my dog and it wasn't a positive experience at all. He had immune system problems and had him to several vets trying to get him help. he was 4 years old and had suffered respiratory problems from altered immune system' the 3rd vet I took him to prescribed gabapentin. I read up on it and was a little skeptical but was desp[erate to help my dog. the 2nd day on the gabapentin I noticed my dogs head looked like he had lost weight or something. It was barely noticable. on the 3rd day his head on the right temple area on his head had a started to cave in, forming a 3" sunken circle, and it was about 1/2 " deep. I called the vet and they didn't know why that hd happened but didn't feel the gabapentin was the cause. all of a sudden, his immune system had started to attach the body itself thinking good cells were deceased cells. it was awful. He died 2 weeks later after taking him to emergency hospital. I have no diagnoses or proof it was the Gabapentin that caused my dog to take a turn for the worst so quickly, but watching him getting eaten up by his immune system so quicklyand then him dying within 2 weeks of taking the Gabapentin convinced me to stay away from that drug. I personally will never take it and warn others to read up on it in detail before they ever consider taking it. my opinion would be, Don't!!!

Kim - My Gabapentin experience is most similar to yours. Unlike many others, I have minimal discomfort in the overnight hours, so I take one at night around 10pm, then wait 10 hours to 8am to take 1st dose of the day, then the 2nd and 3rd doses are 7 hrs apart. I guess we learn how to minimize the discomfort that sets in as it comes time for the next dose. I'm glad that you too found the time stretching that works for you!

My experience: I took 2 pills the first night and woke up the next morning like a zombie and I didn't feel pain all day but was non-functional.
Next night I only took 1 pill and it increase the tingling and burning pains in my legs and feet then start hurting , felt something like a jolt of electric in my leg. This went on for 2 hours from 10:30PM TO 1:30AM so not much relief and not a reliable pain reliever for me. It should not be making my symptoms worse. This was my 2nd try from 2021 to now 2023 and similar effects. I will not take this anymore.. Back to Tizanidine to try for some relief.

It absolutely exacerbated my pain on 2 attempts at taking it in 2021 and 2023

Yes. This happens to me, too. Not all the time but ever so often. It triggers my arthritis and causes severe nerve pain. At first I thought it was in my head, but then I noticed it only happened if I sometimes double up on my 400mgs. (800mg) My shoulder blades and spine would feel raw and overstimulated. It's the craziest most painful feeling. This is the only way I can explain it. I hope you feel better.

Hi there. Reading your comment helped me to realize that higher dosages of Gabapentin may actually cause nerve pain to worsen. I took have experienced this nerve pain, but only when I double up on my 400mg dosage. (800) After reading this, I think I will stick to the doctor's recommended dosage.

That's the real question: Does it lessen the pain? If not, dump it!!!

I see my Doctor tomorrow and I will ask her if I should stop taking the Gab, because I hear that you shouldn't go cold turkey with meds like these.

good luck, be careful.