Gabapentin for pain and anxiety

Posted by jadillow @jadillow, Apr 24, 2019

I have had some health issues and chest and body pains for month. Currently I am on an event monitor as all heart test have came back normal. I used to be on wellbutrin and stopped per new doctor and had no withdrawal thankfully. He talked about prescribing cymbalta/Duloxetine and wants to try it for my random pains which include shoulder, chest, leg and hips at times. Also random bouts of lightheadedness. All on left side and randomly. Sometimes not at all. I am losing sleep because when I lay down and start hurting I fear for the worst. I have sinus bradycardia when resting but they are not concerned with that at this point

Does anyone have and experience with this as medicine as the only medicine I am on now is bp medicine and a calcium blocker. Thanks in advance. .

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lioness | @lioness | Apr 24, 2019

@jadillow Good morning I was on Cymbalta for 2day It started to ulter my mind so Dr stopped it but everyone is different it maybe the drug that will help you I'm sensitive to medicines

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 24, 2019

Hi @jadillow
I have been taking a small dose of Cymbalta (20 mg once a day). It has worked quite well for pain, but as @lioness said everyone reacts to meds differently.

jadillow | @jadillow | Apr 24, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @jadillow I have been taking a small dose of Cymbalta (20 mg once a day)...." + (show)

I was wrong it what I thought it was. It is actually called Gabapentin and I have heard mixed reviews so I’m hesitant.

lioness | @lioness | Apr 24, 2019

@jadillow Makes a difference but for me I had same side effects even on 100 mg

lioness | @lioness | Apr 24, 2019

@Hopefull33250 Are you on a smaller dose of Gabapentin? Dr gave me 100 mg but I'm sensitive to even that but it did help

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 24, 2019

@jadillow I took Gabapentin for about a month before starting the Cymbalta. It worked very well for pain, no mood problems as has been mentioned by others but I did have a severe constipation problem. That is why I switched to Cymbalta.

If you do decide to try Gabapentin, you might suggest to your doc that you start off with the lowest dose (100 mg) once a day and get used to that amount for a week or so. I was started at 300 mg once a day and that was too much for me. Always try to start with the lowest dose available and give the med some time to work. Some folks have a lot of anxiety about meds and they quit it before they give it a fair trial.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 24, 2019

In reply to @lioness "@Hopefull33250 Are you on a smaller dose of Gabapentin? Dr gave me 100 mg but I'm..." + (show)

No, just the Cymbalta, now. If I ever need to try the Gabapentin again, I would certainly go with the 100 mg though.

lioness | @lioness | Apr 24, 2019

@hopeful33250 I took it for a week and thought it was o.k. but after s week I started having forgetful problems I still have it and take occasionally now

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Apr 24, 2019

In reply to @jadillow "I was wrong it what I thought it was. It is actually called Gabapentin and I..." + (show)

@jadillow - I took gabapentin for about 7 weeks for postherpetic neuralgia after having shingles. It helped with the constant pain/tingling feeling. I recall no side effects whatsoever and no problems tapering off.