Neuropathy: Anyone have any experience with gabapentin?

Posted by sjhedcon @sjhedcon, Mar 21, 2020

I have loss of feeling in my feet and tingling sensation. My doctor prescribed gabapentin. I read the side effects and decided not to take this med.
Anyone have any experience with gabapentin?

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

@kimegraves

Hello
Yes, I have been taking Gabapentin for several months. What I do is take my doses with food and my evening dose before bed. As of now I can say I have not had any side effects and I have had success in eliminating my pain and numbness and tingling of my extremities.
I know that the package insert list numerous possible side effects but most of these are very rare. The most frequent side effects are nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. The first couple of times I took the drug I did become drowsy but after a few days that went away. I had great success with the therapy.

Jump to this post

Same here! After couple weeks, even sleepyness is gone!

REPLY

I was given Gabapentin in the hospital before I was Dx with MM because my knee kept giving out and falling down. I also take pain and muscle relaxers. The Gabapentin made me delirious, I was talking crazy, picking things out of the air and just plain out of it! They stopped that and after the next day I was fine. It is in my chart NO GABAPENTIN for me.

REPLY
@artv

For a long time I've had neuropathy in lower legs, from under knees through feet, only on facial side. It finally bothered me so much I had to seek some relief. Through the VA, narcotics did nothing for the pain. Then I was started out on Gabapentin and it was increased and increased, and just didn't help the discomfort at all. Finally, I connected up with a pain clinic doctor that looked over my history and put me on Amitriptyline HCL. Right away, at bedtime, I felt a wave of relief in my legs. The dosage was increased and I came to a level of relief where I could easily live with it. I take one tablet of 50mg before bedtime and I'm good. Of course there are some days that it bothers me more, but it's tolerable.
I think it's just a matter of getting the right doctor that gets you on the right medication. Thanks to the Lord.

Jump to this post

This is encouraging. My sons experience with 900 mg a day of Gabapentine has turned him into an old man in four months. He sleeps 12 hrs a day; eats almost nothing and also takes two anxiety/depression pills. We add 300 ng of CBD gummies. Fed up with meds and doctor. His pain gets worse and mind isn’t imorocing. Anyone had digestive problems from Gabapentine?

REPLY
@vicjfaoro1

This is encouraging. My sons experience with 900 mg a day of Gabapentine has turned him into an old man in four months. He sleeps 12 hrs a day; eats almost nothing and also takes two anxiety/depression pills. We add 300 ng of CBD gummies. Fed up with meds and doctor. His pain gets worse and mind isn’t imorocing. Anyone had digestive problems from Gabapentine?

Jump to this post

I would say, obviously, the Gabapentine is not working for him. I would suggest that you research Amitriptyline on line for treating neuropathy. From what you describe about your son, he needs help and soon. I would suggest a change of doctor and medication.

REPLY
@artv

For a long time I've had neuropathy in lower legs, from under knees through feet, only on facial side. It finally bothered me so much I had to seek some relief. Through the VA, narcotics did nothing for the pain. Then I was started out on Gabapentin and it was increased and increased, and just didn't help the discomfort at all. Finally, I connected up with a pain clinic doctor that looked over my history and put me on Amitriptyline HCL. Right away, at bedtime, I felt a wave of relief in my legs. The dosage was increased and I came to a level of relief where I could easily live with it. I take one tablet of 50mg before bedtime and I'm good. Of course there are some days that it bothers me more, but it's tolerable.
I think it's just a matter of getting the right doctor that gets you on the right medication. Thanks to the Lord.

Jump to this post

Have you been able to reduce your Gabapentin. My husband is on Gabapentin , but it's messing with his mind and very tired. He recently started the mitriptyline, and it seems to be helping. Glad this is working for you.

REPLY
@trec55

Have you been able to reduce your Gabapentin. My husband is on Gabapentin , but it's messing with his mind and very tired. He recently started the mitriptyline, and it seems to be helping. Glad this is working for you.

Jump to this post

Misspelled drug. It's amitriptyline hcl.

REPLY
@trec55

Have you been able to reduce your Gabapentin. My husband is on Gabapentin , but it's messing with his mind and very tired. He recently started the mitriptyline, and it seems to be helping. Glad this is working for you.

Jump to this post

I can truly say this support is giving a caregiver suggestions on meds etc. Thank you for being here.

REPLY

My husband has been on gabapentin for one month. 100 mg twice during the day and 300 mg at bedtime. After a week and a half it started to help. He can walk sixty feet without assistance before he has to sit down. Dr appt tomorrow for 30 day follow up to decide if dosage will be adjusted. No side effects so far.
He has polyneuropathy and normally 24 hour pain, shooting pains all over body and the feet feel like blocks of wood but also pain like shards of glass cutting him when touched , burning and numbness.
He can get down our five half height steps and back up no more than once a day to enter our home.
He must hold on to something to take even one step forward when walking. Expect when on his nighttime dose.

REPLY
@fields123

I am taking Gabapentin and have had depression, crying spells and my daughter feels my personality has changed due to the med.Besides balance issues.Not sure if I should reduce the dose slowly and try other meds for the neuropathy?I am taking 900mg daily

Jump to this post

I noticed the comment on balance issues. Did that start with taking gabapentin?
Thanks

REPLY

I take gabapentin 3 times a day - couldn't live without it. No side effects. I have axonal sensory neuropathy, late stages, it's scary. Gabapentin works for me. Everyone needs to try different meds until they find one that works the best for them. We started with low doses and we have had to increase the amounts as this condition worsened. Lyrica worked too but it made me sleepy. Peggy

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.