1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Does anyone find relief for arthritis in knees with Gabapentin?

Posted by molly7234 @molly7234, Jul 22, 2023

I’m 78 years old. First case of Covid in May 2023. It was accompanied by pneumonia and strep throat and I tested positive for 18 days in July while walking my dog I pulled a muscle in my left calf going up a slight incline, just radiated into my left knee with some swelling and nerve pain, I’ve been prescribed gabapentin for restless leg and take 300 mg at night. I have a prescription for 100 mg which I started with. I’ve never had arthritis like this and now it’s in the other knee as well. My thigh muscles are extremely weak and I know I need to exercise to strengthen them. Advice please

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molly7234 | @molly7234 | Jul 31, 2023
In reply to @reesa "I have been using gabapentin for a year now. I use it because I have neuropathy..." + (show)
@reesa

I have been using gabapentin for a year now. I use it because I have neuropathy as a result of the saphenous nerve trapped by bursitis in my knee.I take it three times a day 600 mG each time. It really helps with my nerve entrapped ( which causes a stiff leg and painful. Ihave no side effect except a little sleepy.

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I am also wondering how they diagnosed the trapped nerve
My arthritis also feels nerve issue

REPLY
olderdiva12345 | @olderdiva12345 | Aug 1, 2023
In reply to @reesa "I have been using gabapentin for a year now. I use it because I have neuropathy..." + (show)
@reesa

I have been using gabapentin for a year now. I use it because I have neuropathy as a result of the saphenous nerve trapped by bursitis in my knee.I take it three times a day 600 mG each time. It really helps with my nerve entrapped ( which causes a stiff leg and painful. Ihave no side effect except a little sleepy.

Jump to this post

This drug is an opiod and habid forming. It is a good pain killer but I wonder if after a while one becomes immune. 1800 mgs is a lot. Does your doctor approve? Good luck.

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3 replies
sue15 | @sue15 | Aug 1, 2023

I take 300 mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day. They are capsules. 1 with breakfast; one with lunch; and the last one at bedtime with Trazadone, too. Definitely helps with pain and sleep. Been on it since summer 2021.

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1 reply
cindymattern | @cindymattern | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @olderdiva12345 "This drug is an opiod and habid forming. It is a good pain killer but I..." + (show)
@olderdiva12345

This drug is an opiod and habid forming. It is a good pain killer but I wonder if after a while one becomes immune. 1800 mgs is a lot. Does your doctor approve? Good luck.

Jump to this post

I had my pharmacist tell me that if it starts being not as effective that you can wean down off it then take it back up. I have actually done this prior to my knee replacement and am now taking 900mg at bedtime again. I usually wean down to 600 for a week, then 300 for a week and can go back up and t will be more effective.

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susiedavis912 | @susiedavis912 | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @sue15 "I take 300 mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day. They are capsules. 1 with breakfast;..." + (show)
@sue15

I take 300 mg of Gabapentin 3 times a day. They are capsules. 1 with breakfast; one with lunch; and the last one at bedtime with Trazadone, too. Definitely helps with pain and sleep. Been on it since summer 2021.

Jump to this post

Yes, I too have had great relief of serve pain in my back (and neck) from steroid packs. I suffered horrifically for 3 weeks after my spinal failed to ease any of my pain. After starting the steroids, I found relief. I do not know why my doctor waited so long to give me steroids. I have had this exact same scenario happen 4 times in the past 5 years. Steroids, for chronic pain relief, are frowned upon. My doctor says they can cause many things to go wrong within your systems of the body; I hate that, because they are the only thing that help me when I’m in that unbearable pain. I have a fractured L4 and L5. I was diagnosed by top neurosurgeon Dr. Vaughn Allen in 2000 . I am happy that you are pain free now. Susie

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1 reply
olderdiva12345 | @olderdiva12345 | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @gurty3 "trying water aerobics" + (show)
@gurty3

trying water aerobics

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Water aerobics has helped my back last summer. Have not been in the pool this Summer but will as soon as anoher hand rain is installed. Also, I bought a kick board for the pool along with water bar bells which are great. Good Luck.

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su8 | @su8 | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @olderdiva12345 "This drug is an opiod and habid forming. It is a good pain killer but I..." + (show)
@olderdiva12345

This drug is an opiod and habid forming. It is a good pain killer but I wonder if after a while one becomes immune. 1800 mgs is a lot. Does your doctor approve? Good luck.

Jump to this post

This drug is not habit forming. It was made for epileptics. The only thing it does is shut you up. You can go off at any time.

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2 replies
molly7234 | @molly7234 | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @susiedavis912 "Yes, I too have had great relief of serve pain in my back (and neck) from..." + (show)
@susiedavis912

Yes, I too have had great relief of serve pain in my back (and neck) from steroid packs. I suffered horrifically for 3 weeks after my spinal failed to ease any of my pain. After starting the steroids, I found relief. I do not know why my doctor waited so long to give me steroids. I have had this exact same scenario happen 4 times in the past 5 years. Steroids, for chronic pain relief, are frowned upon. My doctor says they can cause many things to go wrong within your systems of the body; I hate that, because they are the only thing that help me when I’m in that unbearable pain. I have a fractured L4 and L5. I was diagnosed by top neurosurgeon Dr. Vaughn Allen in 2000 . I am happy that you are pain free now. Susie

Jump to this post

What are steroid packs??

REPLY
olderdiva12345 | @olderdiva12345 | Aug 2, 2023
In reply to @su8 "This drug is not habit forming. It was made for epileptics. The only thing it does..." + (show)
@su8

This drug is not habit forming. It was made for epileptics. The only thing it does is shut you up. You can go off at any time.

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In my state Gabapentin regquires a script and is used for seisure and as a pain killer. What do you mean that it "shut you up"? I try not to take this and prever Tramadol for back pain.

Good Luck and thanks,

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