Effects of Gabapentin on EMG Question

Posted by mayoscout @mayoscout, Aug 31 1:09pm

Does anyone know if after taking Gabapentin for a while and noticing relief from your neuropathy can it trigger a false positive on an EMG to where it looks like your neuropathy is not present?

I ask because my situation is this. I have had multiple four EMGs in the past few years that started with showing a progressive neuropathy and proceeding EMGs confirming the progression to all over my body and worsening. I was then sent to another neurologist to help try to find the cause of the neuropathy. The new doc wanted to do their own EMG (like they all do) before proceeding with further appointments. During the EMG the doc just did a section of my body whereas all past EMGs from other neuros were full body. After the doc was done they spun around in the chair and said "good news you don't have neuropathy".

That obviously would be great news if I agree with them but my body tells me otherwise. I'm starting to lose function in parts of my body due to more nerve issues and other docs are saying to start considering more surgeries again to repair the problems before I lose total function. But I have this one neuro who basically says I'm cure and to have a nice day.

I'm just curious on if the medication is triggering a false positive and if anyone knows if that could be the case? From what I read online it is probable, but there is not enough research on it so I am looking to others who may have experience with this.

Thank you

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debbiejody | @debbiejody | Aug 31 2:42pm

It is a bad drug my husband was on it and stopped because you can lose your legs do your research on it good luck

mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Sep 1 1:27pm

In reply to @debbiejody "It is a bad drug my husband was on it and stopped because you can lose..." + (show)

That story about gabapentin causing people to lose their legs is all bull shit. They're saying that on an online ad for the latest "wonder drug" that cures neuropathy. THERE IS NO CURE.

mrmacabre | @mrmacabre | Sep 1 1:33pm

The very first neurologist that I saw years ago did the blood tests and the EMG/Conductivity tests on me, and concluded that I didn't have neuropathy in my feet. But my feet and my orthopedist knew better, so I got another referral to a second one, and he wasn't 100% sure either. I ended up seeing 4 neurologists over the course of 10 years before getting my diagnosis of idiopathic poly neuropathy.

avalyn | @avalyn | Sep 3 1:56am

In reply to @debbiejody "It is a bad drug my husband was on it and stopped because you can lose..." + (show)

What? You can lose your legs? Please elaborate!

humblyhoping | @humblyhoping | Sep 3 10:20am

I took gabapentin on/off for almost a year. At first it gave me more time on my feet but it made me feel like I had dementia really bad, so I quit for good several months ago. I take nothing now. I rest often but the one thing that has improved the pain is stretching the muscles throughout the entire leg and ankle area everyday as often as you can. When laying down I use resistance bands to really pull the leg muscles and ankle area muscles.
I continue to research blood flow foods like beets etc. I have come a long way in a year and a half but still have a long way to go. It’s a constant fight daily,

pbrowni25 | @pbrowni25 | Sep 4 6:48pm

In reply to @humblyhoping "I took gabapentin on/off for almost a year. At first it gave me more time on..." + (show)

Stay with it and fight the fight. If you look at some of my previous responses they are pretty elaborate of how I started and what I do to maintain, get better with my neuropathy in my feet and legs although my hands seem to be getting a little worse numb wise at night. I'm on Cymbalta 60kg and it definitely helps. I tried the others and nothing but weight gain and groggy feelings. Try to walk 34 days a week. Go to the gym and like you said I wake up in the morning stretch my hamstrings 3 of 30 seconds each leg and arch my back hold it tight with my legs in the air several minutes 30 seconds at a time. That seems to help. Just stay positive that's all we can do at this point. Good luck.

humblyhoping | @humblyhoping | Sep 5 6:40am

In reply to @pbrowni25 "Stay with it and fight the fight. If you look at some of my previous responses..." + (show)

It is a fight every second of the day. I am working on squats. I have to hold onto something. If I use resistance bands I can do a form of squats for longer. This really engages every part of your body, especially the legs. Stimulates the nerves. I am going to ask about Cymbalta. I have taken this a long time ago and that was for anxiety.
Thank you for sharing what you do to help you each day.

mayoscout | @mayoscout | Sep 5 7:52am

As I appreciate everyone's input so far, I feel like the responses are no help to my question and as random replies pile up real answers to my question is going to get buried where others including myself won't be able to find later on.

Is it possible to keep responses related to the question?

Thanks

carol65 | @carol65 | Sep 6 8:56am

While this med does help with chronic pain. Look at its side effects! Slower cognition is one of them

johnmacc | @johnmacc | Sep 6 10:49am

In reply to @humblyhoping "I took gabapentin on/off for almost a year. At first it gave me more time on..." + (show)

Hi. I spend an hour each morning in stretching and yoga for my whole body including my feet with idiopathic poly neuropathy since diagnosed in 2012. I was also taking 3600 mg of Gabapentin daily for the last few years. My new neurologist has asked me to switch to Lyrica so I did. I never had problems with Gabapentin , I just didn't enjoy taking 12 pills daily. Now I only take 3 200 mg Lyrica dairy with no noticable change in pain level in my feet. These drugs hide about half of the pain daily depending on how much walking and gym work I do. John