1. < Chronic Pain
Profile picture for ginger123

Joint and Muscle pain while on gabapentin?

Posted by ginger123 @ginger123, Aug 10, 2025

I’m a light-weight when it comes to medications. While stopping the .5 mg at night of lorazepam for RLS, my doctor put me on 100 mg gabapentin, then increased to 200 mg. I know these are baby doses for many, but not for me. I’ve started having major joint and muscle pain.
Could this be the gabapentin? I take no other meds.
I’m 74, and other than the relentless RLS, in pretty good health.
Thanks for any input from our members.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Profile picture for djk75
djk75 | @djk75 | Aug 18, 2025
In reply to @debbyswimmer "Here is what I found on does of PEA: Dosing PEA is generally available in 300mg..." + (show)
Profile picture for debbyswimmer @debbyswimmer

Here is what I found on does of PEA:
Dosing PEA is generally available in 300mg or 400mg capsules. The maximum daily dose is 2400mg/day (i.e.8 x 300mg or 6x 400mg capsules). A simple regime for treatment is to take 1 x 400mg tablet three times per day. If this is not effective after a couple of weeks increase the dose to 2 x 400mg capsules three times per day. If after 1-2 months this does not provide a significant benefit then you may not be a responder to PEA and you can cease the trial.

For people that find 3x/day dosing difficult or would like to take things more slowly and alternative regime wound be 1 capsule twice daily. You can then add an extra capsule every 4-5 days until youget to the maximum dose above. An example would be to start with 1 capsule twice daily. Then increase to 1 three times per day. Then increase to 1 in the morning and midday and 2 at night. Then 2 morning, 1 midday, 2 night. The 2 capsules morning, noon and night.

For dosing we tend to prefer 400mg capsules to reach a therapeutic effect more quickly. However, some patients find the capsules quite large and difficult to swallow. In this case 300mg capsules may be better and the dose can be adjusted as is suitable for the patient. In fact increasing dosing to 4 or more times per day may allow for even better for absorption but tends to be easier to forget a dose.

Jump to this post

thanks - that's helpful.

REPLY
Profile picture for debbyswimmer
debbyswimmer | @debbyswimmer | Aug 18, 2025

Thanks- and I fully agree on fact checking AI! I actually hate that on google searches, it always gives AI summary and you have to dig for the real references. I did attach a link to a 2025 review of the scientific literature on PEA, which looks interesting. I plan on discussing with my neurologist.

REPLY
Profile picture for lizars
lizars | @lizars | Sep 3, 2025

I think it’s the GABA. Bc I went on it about a month ago and thought I was ok until recently. I woke up in middle of the night and had severe joint pains. I tested the gaba by not taking it for a few days and the pain and swelling decreased. I went back on and the joint pains came back. It’s the GABA. I too can’t tolerate medicine most of the time. And I react to meds differently than most. Wish I didn’t. Hang in there!

REPLY
Profile picture for linusrox1
linusrox1 | @linusrox1 | 1 day ago
In reply to @djk75 "A doctor recommended it for a relative in 2018, but it was only available at that..." + (show)
Profile picture for djk75 @djk75

A doctor recommended it for a relative in 2018, but it was only available at that time from a compounding pharmacy. He tried it for a while, but it didn't help him. I don't remember how much he was taking, but they recommend 1,200mg per day. I also don't know if his problem was nerve pain. It apparently has anti-inflammatory benefits as well, another reason I'd like to try it. I can no longer take any OTC NSAIDs like ibuprofen or Aleve, even a small dose, as it gives me gastritis.

Jump to this post

@djk75 I just read that magnesium can block benefits of gabapentin. I have read a lot of threads but never seen that one before. Wonder how many of the VERY many who takes some type of magnesium for sleep and calm have not had luck with gabapentin due to this>

REPLY
Profile picture for linusrox1
linusrox1 | @linusrox1 | 1 day ago

I had no idea that magnesium could make the gabapentin as much as 40% less effective! Only just read this

REPLY
Profile picture for bsexton
bsexton | @bsexton | 17 hours ago

I have experience joint and muscle pain with gabapentin. I also experienced weight gain so I stopped taking it. All statin drugs cause me great muscle pain as well. There are a few studies out now that show statins will cause pre-diabetes in some participants and definitely cause muscle pain in many people. I experienced both and stopped all statin drugs. I seem to have no luck with many of these drugs.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.