1. < Neuropathy

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.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 6, 2021
In reply to @cameron2020 "I have had both of my knees replaced (2013 & 2018). I began having numbness burning..." + (show)
@cameron2020

I have had both of my knees replaced (2013 & 2018). I began having numbness burning & tingling in my feet & legs about a year ago. Dx. Idiopathic PN. I have insomnia & use CPAP machine. My primary physician put me on Gabapentin 100mg. 6mos. ago. I still have numbness in my feet and knees. They tell me that 100mg. of gabapentin is a small amount, and I take it at bedtime hoping it will help me to fall asleep. but I experience vertigo, problems with balance. Also, have feelings of not being myself, a sort of brain fog. I recently read that PN can be a side effect
of the B/P and Gout meds. I take.

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@cameron2020
A number of my doctors believe my Neuropathy was medication induced. Probably by Dilantin & Phenobarbital.
Jake

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1 reply
cameron2020 | @cameron2020 | Sep 7, 2021

I've asked my doctor about letting me have drug holidays from each drug I'm on to see if I still need then all.

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1 reply
cameron2020 | @cameron2020 | Sep 7, 2021
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@cameron2020 A number of my doctors believe my Neuropathy was medication induced. Probably by Dilantin &..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@cameron2020
A number of my doctors believe my Neuropathy was medication induced. Probably by Dilantin & Phenobarbital.
Jake

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I read up on Losortan/hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, & allopurinol. All have NP as a side effect. I take them all.

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bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Sep 7, 2021
In reply to @d13 "The BP medication; Metoprolol gave me tinnitus. I was given something else in it's place, but..." + (show)
@d13

The BP medication; Metoprolol gave me tinnitus. I was given something else in it's place, but hasn't completely gone away. I've also read others reviews of taking Metoprolol and found that they also developed tinnitus while using it. I found that it may never fully go away. I did just order a supplement strictly for tinnitus sufferers; called Synapse XT and given an A+ rating. Probably wasted my money once again! I bought one bottle, but usually these companies want you to buy at three to guarantee that they will work.

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@cwallen9 please keep up posted on how the Synapse XT works for you, o.k.?

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2 replies
KK57 | @kk57 | Sep 7, 2021

GAPAPENTIN MADE MY PAIN MUCH WORSE. Several years ago , I was prescribed gabapentin for a frozen shoulder. Pain was radiating down my arm, and it was suspected that I had pinched and irritated the nerves. A neurologist put me on gabapentin. The pain worsened, until I couldn’t even get out of bed. It took us a while to realize, that it was the gabapentin. When I stopped taking it, my body started to recover within 24 hours. Everyone is different. My body doesn’t like gabapentin, and I don’t plan to ever take it again.

For my shoulder (osteoarthritis), I now rely on Aleve, biofreeze topical gel, yoga, and physical therapy. I now also have chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy (fingers, feet, legs). I am relying on maximum dosages of vitamins B1, B6, B12… gentle yoga, massage, physical therapy, and acupuncture. It is definitely improving from pain to numbness. Neuropathy is a downer. Best of luck all… xo.

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d13 | @d13 | Sep 7, 2021
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "@cwallen9 please keep up posted on how the Synapse XT works for you, o.k.?" + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

@cwallen9 please keep up posted on how the Synapse XT works for you, o.k.?

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Ok. I've only been taking for two days now. There is 60 capsules in a bottle. Will see by 30 days if I notice a change. If I do, I will reorder into the 3rd week mark.

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cwallen9 | @cwallen9 | Sep 7, 2021
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "@cwallen9 please keep up posted on how the Synapse XT works for you, o.k.?" + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

@cwallen9 please keep up posted on how the Synapse XT works for you, o.k.?

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I'm sorry, I think you are asking the wrong person. I did not have a Synapse XT.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Sep 7, 2021
In reply to @cameron2020 "I've asked my doctor about letting me have drug holidays from each drug I'm on to..." + (show)
@cameron2020

I've asked my doctor about letting me have drug holidays from each drug I'm on to see if I still need then all.

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@cameron2020, I may be too motherly with this comment. However, if your medications need to be carefully tapered off, you may not want to go chose to take a holiday from those. And some will need you to build up your acceptance of them when and if you return to that medication. Be careful......tapering off meds is tedious and takes quite a bit of time. Also, some meds you take are for maintenance, e.g. kidney meds. You may not want to upset the apple cart with those if you include them in you study.

Good luck to you and be careful.
Chris

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pweepast | @pweepast | Oct 6, 2021

I have just started gabapentin (300 mg, 3 x day) for peripheral neuropathy and find my neuropathy gets triggered for about thirty minutes every time I take a pill.

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windsorchris | @windsorchris | Oct 7, 2021
In reply to @mictim "Lisa, For myself Gabapentin made my PN worse and made my arms jump and twitch basically..." + (show)
@mictim

Lisa,

For myself Gabapentin made my PN worse and made my arms jump and twitch basically controllable, as soon as I quite taking it that was gone.

I can see where some people would benefit from Gabapentin or Pregablin (Lyrica types), but it is not for me.

I do feel that Pharma and the medical community really needs to look at less use of single molecule (man made) internal drug therapy of treating PN, as people are getting tired of treating only symptoms of PN. It maybe that possibly incorporating some of the eastern primary as an more interrogative approach maybe a benefit. Less Opiates (new FDA rules) is good, but at least give us a quality replacement for PN. PN is within the reachable sub-dermal regions even in the feet (dead skin layers) therefore a topical pain relief treatment approach should be very beneficial for people with PN, at least that is my view after living with PN for ~15 years.

Off my soap box, the answer for myself is Gabapentin and Pregablin (Lyrica) simply made things far worse, as it seem to affect the whole CNS and not the PN issue.

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I agree...let's go for a cure not just massaging the pain and other symptoms i.e. WinSanTor is running trials on Pirenzepine which is touted as a possible reversing of nerve death and in fact, regrowing nerves! Check out their web site.

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