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,

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

britgpt | @britgpt | Jun 26, 2023

This happened to me when I increased the dosage. I went back down to the previous dosage and the side effects stopped.

bazzinga1234 | @bazzinga1234 | Jun 27, 2023

In reply to @lioness "@londonwc1 I'm glad you found some relief . Gabapentin didn't help me so Dr has me..." + (show)

Two years ago I had acute sciatica. I never experienced such excruciating pain in my life, 24/7. It felt like a hot iron was on my shin and thigh. Gabapentin made my pain worse. My husband’s colleague told me Lyrica was the only thing that helped her Sciatica. The first night I took Lyrica, I slept thru the night after suffering for 3 months. It was like a miracle! It helps nerve pain. I don’t know why my orthopedist did not recommend it!!!!!
Doctors, love prescribing Gabapentin. I think it’s a terrible drug!

migunner | @migunner | Jun 27, 2023

In reply to @rashida "Have you tried taking a teaspoonful of prepared mustard?" + (show)

My lady friend from church God Rest Her Soul, swore by the mustard for muscle cramp relief, D.mg

lioness | @lioness | Jun 27, 2023

In reply to @bazzinga1234 "Two years ago I had acute sciatica. I never experienced such excruciating pain in my life,..." + (show)

@bazzinga1234
That seems to be there go to drug price is right Dr,s @pharmacies work closely together

sickmemaw55 | @sickmemaw55 | Jul 12, 2023

In reply to @babyblue656 "My doctor recently increased my dosage and I immediately noticed that my middle finger was being..." + (show)

I have been on gabapentin 800mg 3x a day for many years now and I just had trigger finger surgery and it didn't heal right and now I'm pretty sure I have dupuytrens conjecture but I have to go see another doctor to get it diagnosed. How did you get diagnosed with Ankylosing spondylitis?

budo7 | @budo7 | Jul 12, 2023

It's supposed to be a nerve blocker. I have been using it for years with no problems. It would not surprise me if it was taken with something else that this would happen. Seems we are the test patients sometimes. Through tons of different pills at us to see what works. I guess I am lucky in that I found a great pain mgmt doc

smigal | @smigal | Jul 13, 2023

I do take tramadol durning the day but am incompatible with gabapentan and lyrica. Back to the drawing board. So might have to try venaflaxine or extended release tramadol. Gapapentan will relieve my nerve pain but give me worse pain in the morning.

ripley | @ripley | Jul 14, 2023

In reply to @budo7 "It's supposed to be a nerve blocker. I have been using it for years with no..." + (show)

Can I ask what condition you are taking the Gabapentin for?

choosejoy | @choosejoy | Jul 14, 2023

In reply to @bazzinga1234 "Two years ago I had acute sciatica. I never experienced such excruciating pain in my life,..." + (show)

While gabapentin may have been a “terrible” drug for you there are many others of us that do well on it. It helps manage my pain from permanent nerve damage in my leg. My pain doc has had me on it for 5 years. I am considering having a spinal stimulator implanted but will do the trial first. It would be nice to get off of gabapentin and the drowsiness I feel after taking it. But in the meantime gaba controls the tingling, burning and nerve zaps I get without it.

I am glad Lyrica helped you. When I tried it for a month or so I had too many side effects to continue. Obviously we are all different and there is no one size fits all treatment.

bazzinga1234 | @bazzinga1234 | Jul 14, 2023

In reply to @choosejoy "While gabapentin may have been a “terrible” drug for you there are many others of us..." + (show)

You are right.... we all have a different body chemistry. I have permanent nerve damage to my leg too from a pinched nerve in my lumbar.
Would you mind telling me what caused your nerve damage. Is it from neuropathy?
I don’t do well with prescription drugs.
Excedrin XStrength is the only med that gives me a little relief. J