Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

Posted by cwallen9 @cwallen9, Apr 16, 2019

I started getting peripheral neuropathy pain about nine months ago in my feet and hands right after I received a cervical steroid injection. I started taking gabapentin about 7 months ago. I have gradually increased my dose from 100 mg a day to 1500 mg. I can't say that it has decreased my pain at all. In fact, my pain has gotten steadily worse. I was just wondering if it is possible that gabapentin can sometimes make neuropathy pain worse. My EMG and biopsy results are negative for short fiber neuropathy so far.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

julkun | @julkun | Apr 19, 2023

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

vwiggins | @vwiggins | Apr 19, 2023

In reply to @julkun "That's the real question: Does it lessen the pain? If not, dump it!!!" + (show)

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.

julkun | @julkun | Apr 19, 2023

In reply to @vwiggins "I see my Doctor tomorrow and I will ask her if I should stop taking the..." + (show)

good luck, be careful.

kenc | @kenc | Apr 20, 2023

In reply to @vwiggins "Hi there. Reading your comment helped me to realize that higher dosages of Gabapentin may actually..." + (show)

Always a good idea.

ruthblaze | @ruthblaze | Apr 20, 2023

In reply to @vwiggins "I see my Doctor tomorrow and I will ask her if I should stop taking the..." + (show)

I tried to stop and the pain was excruciating they have to taper you off of it

peak | @peak | Apr 21, 2023

I am crazy allergic to Gabapentin....I hallucinate and go nuts from it!
I stay away from the crap.

steven120566 | @steven120566 | Apr 22, 2023

Its very sad that physicians prescribe gabapentin. I have very severe neuropathy...It never helped me, and I live in misery. Sorry, don't mean to be a downer. Only tramadol and kratom has worked for me. God bless, I hope you find relief!

pamelaz | @pamelaz | Apr 24, 2023

In reply to @steven120566 "Its very sad that physicians prescribe gabapentin. I have very severe neuropathy...It never helped me, and..." + (show)

I’m in constant pain. The doctor wanted to prescribe gabapentin but it has never helped me. Do you find relief from your medicines?

steven120566 | @steven120566 | Apr 25, 2023

The only meds that ever worked for me were Tramadol and Duloxetine. Duloxetine worked for 5-6 months then stopped, and I had to go througj a month if "brain zaps" upon stopping. I found Kratom, which is illegal in my state but legal in all border states. I voluntarily stopped Tramadol because Kratom works getter and has NO side effects when used on its own w/o other drugs. Google the work of Dr. Chris McCurdy of the university of Florida. He's a leading pain expert. I have no agenda here, but if you're asking what helped me, that is the only thing.

gina5009 | @gina5009 | Apr 26, 2023

In reply to @pamelaz "I’m in constant pain. The doctor wanted to prescribe gabapentin but it has never helped me...." + (show)

Gapenten did not work for me, but Pregabolin is working great. I am on a very small dosage 50 mg twice a day. I take if for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I also use baby teething medication to rub on my gums when I have breakthrough pain
Gina5009