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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@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

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@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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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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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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@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.

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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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@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.

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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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@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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@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.

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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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@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

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What are steroid packs??

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@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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