Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

WSH66, you are so right. My Rhematologist told me TWICE now, I do not prescribe drugs. The last time, she put another call into the pain mgt for me. Walked out of the Exam room and I was to come back in two months. These doctors are terrified of the outcome should they prescribe anything.

Well when I had it done, they really drugged me up. So, when I woke up and could walk and felt no pain I thought the doctor was a miracle worker. God help me if I fall again and crack the cement. AFTER I had it placed, he told me that the other parts of my back bone will be reduced strength due to the heavy duty strength of the concrete. GREAT. Evidently I was fainting and falling. I was in so much pain from my RA that I did not care Whether came back or not. I was attempting to tolerate the pain. No one should have to do that in this day and age of Medicine. Thanks to the druggies we are paying the dues.

I hope and pray you stay upright ,a friend fell and is not very well so be careful for she had the cement put in

@wsh66, That last part would make it well worthwhile for me.

I'm re-visiting "Chat" on the topic of Pain from Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and DJD conditions. Specifically, I want
members comments on their experience with the Rx GABAPENTIN (generic for Neurontin) that my doctor has prescribed for the "global" pain/discomfort/soreness I experience from these "old age" (I'm 78/female) Dx's.
The Medication Guide indicates that Gabapentin can cause some serious side effects (and I already have enough problems) that are very off-putting to beginning this medication.

I would appreciate knowing of other users experience and /or caveats on this Rx.

@jeannegordon4 Hi there, I have been taking Gabapentin in various doses for Myofascial pain, plus small fiber and peripheral neuropathy for 2 years. I am now pleased with the medication and have no apparent side effects. I only take 900 mg 2 hours before bedtime. That gives my crazy nerves time to settle down to the point that I might have reduced the pain enough to drift off to sleep, (especially in my hands, wrists and arms). My neurologist and I are pretty much partners in this process and last month we considered switching to Lyrica as recommended by a rheumatologist. We are staying with Gabapentin in some part because we know it works and have not observed side effects. Hope this helps.

@ Hello Jeangordon4: I am peach414144 and am answering your request for any other users experience with gabapenten. a month ago I started it with a dose of 300 mgs 2 times a day, Now for the last 6 days i am on 600 mgs. two times a day. I am 80 years of age. The pain in my legs are mostly gone. What a relief as it was very, very bad. I feel as though I am some how being quite "doped" up. I am slower in all I do but not slow enough to be dangerous. I take the pills after dinner and before I go to sleep. THIS ALLOWS ME TO HAVE A CLEAR HEAD TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FOR SHOPPING AND GO TO THE DOCTORS. I read the literature. IF I WOULD FEEL SUICIDAL OR DOING ANYTHING DANGEROUS I WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP THE GABAPENTEN AND NOTIFY THE DOCTOR. ALSO, i MUST VERY CAREFULLY WATCH MY SUGAR COUNT BEING A TYPE 2 DIABETIC AND OTHER NO NO'S, But the pain in the feet and legs are gone. however, when it would be important to stop the drug I will. ANOTHER NO NO IS I AM TYPE ONE BI-POLAR SO I MUST, MUST MUST BE THREE TIMES MORE CAREFULL WITH THIS DRUG. SHOULD THE DOCTOR (WHO KNOWS MY COMPLETE MEDICAL HISTORY) HAVE PRESCRIBED THIS MEDICINE FOR ME? hOPEFULY I WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THIS MEDICATION BECAUSE THE PAIN WAS AWFUL.

I have been taking Gabapentin for a number of years for my Neuropathy. When I first went to my Neurologist, I was stinging so badly I couldn't sleep through the night. I have very little trouble now from my Neuropathy. Hope you will find it helps. I have no side effects that I am aware of.

Good Morning!
I have been taking Gabapenten for several years. I take 300 mg, 1 in the am and 2 in the pm. I am really not sure it does anything to help me because I've been on it for so long. My brother, who has back issues, too, takes it and swears by it. He finds that it helps him sleep when his pain bothers him.
Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Meknight: chronic pain, fibermyalgia, sleep issues, arthritis, female, 50's. Pain keeps me up at night, and when I do sleep, I wake up stiff and in more pain. My fingers and toes are painfully swollen and turning. I see a pain specialist, but the meds barely make life bearable. Looking for another way to survive.