← Return to Gabapentin side effects?

Discussion

Gabapentin side effects?

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Dec 10 10:00pm | Replies (867)

Comment receiving replies
@carolm23

Romans8. I was taking so much gabapentin, and my gastro doctor told me it was most likely the gabapentin that caused it. He said there is a major nerve in your stomach, which aids in digestion, so the gabapentin turned out to be the cause, also blocking that stomach nerve from fully digesting my food. I went from 1800 mg a day to 600 mg a day. The gastro paresis went away in just a few days, but I suffered with it for months. I am going to see a pain management doctor to see what they suggest. Spinal cord stimulator is one thing to try, but I'm very hesitant. I've seen so many doctors about the neuropathy, to include a podiatrist. She had a compounding pharmacy make a cream consisting of 6 different meds. It works well, but only for 3 or 4 hours. I'm constantly on the search for relief.
Let me know if u need anymore info.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Romans8. I was taking so much gabapentin, and my gastro doctor told me it was most..."

I can't take any pain meds, and now that I've learned what gabapentin did to your stomach, I'm aghast that several doctors were pushing that medication. I've had GERD and an esophageal hernia for over 30 years, which I've handled with carefully planned menus, etc. Could not handle the meds prescribed for the GERD, meds which later turns out created issues for users, including risk of cancer. I can only shudder to think the added layer of pain if I'd taken the gaba and suffered what happened to you. So sorry you've had to deal with that.
I had the good fortune to have found an outstanding podiatrist, through a great deal of searching online, checking credentials, reviews, education, each doctor's philosophy about treatment approach. This doctor is not affiliated with any medical groups, which is essential for me, and gives his time generously. My prior podiatrist of over 30 years was just not addressing the neuromas, peripheral neuropathy, and other pain issues that contribute to a painful and unsteady gait. This new podiatrist uses ultrasound, taping, and gave me a brace for the ankle because it was "loose" from the over 2 yrs of lack of proper medical attention. In addition, as with your podiatrist, he created a prescription for a pain cream which was filled by a compounding pharmacy in another state. Generous sized pump container which gives just the right amount of cream per pump. No odor (I told him how sensitive I am to "smells" from OTC pain creams), not greasy, rubs on smoothly, and effective. Helps tremendously with the intense pain that often ebbs the entire foot due to the neuromas and then affects the hammer toe. Intense. Burning. Gripping.
Elevating the foot contributes to the relief. I'm so happy to now be in the care of a podiatrist who goes the extra mile to address the needs of his patient. My prior podiatrist is not missed at all.

Thank you for responding. I have been taking 600 mg/day of Gabapentin for over 3 years. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis only 2 months ago, so I’m not sure there is a connection, tho it’s possible I had it long before the actual diagnosis thru the gastro emptying test, I would like to get off the Gabapentin due to increasing side effects. I do see a pain specialist, but he won’t refer me for back stimulator. He doesn’t approve of them. Let me know what you find out. I understand that there is a new stimulator more directed at nerve pain. Mayb there is hope.

Do your research very carefully on that spinal cord stimulator I read up on it and I decided not to get it goes right into your spinal cord🤔🤔🧐

I appreciate your responding, and I am so happy to hear your gastroparesis has been resolved by reducing your Gabapentin. I have been taking 300mg of Horizant 2x/day, which doesn’t sound like much, but my pain doc says it’s stronger than plain Gabapentin. I’d like to reduce it, but not sure how else to manage my small fiber neuropathy pain which affects my whole body. I saw my neurologist this week and he believes that my gastroparesis was caused by the COVID virus which I had previous to developing the stomach issues. That also affects the autonomic nerves in the stomach in some people. So meanwhile I’m following a soft liquid diet and still searching for a solution to the neuropathy pain besides Gabapentin. My neurologist did write a prescription for low dose naltrexone to try. I wonder if anyone on this site has ever tried that for pain management. Like you I’m Leary of the spinal stimulator since I have friends who have had them implanted and had nothing but persistent problems.
I don’t mean to sound so discouraged but it does get weary at times. Thanks for listening.