Gabapentin

Description

Side effects

(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients)

Warnings

(These are standard cautions but may not apply in your case)

Comments

I tried Gabapentin some time ago and found it just plain did not work for me and I ended up bedridden for the next few days until the specialist called round and gave me something else. Wendy - Wellington, New Zealand

I have very positive things to say about Neurontin (Gabapentin) For me this is 100% effective for my burning pain. I could not live without it. However, it does not address other types of pain. Pam - Brisbane, Australia

I have been taking this medication since September 1999. I started on 900 mg a day, but this did not seem to have any therapeutic success. My Neurologist has been increasing the medication and at 2600 mg a day, I have finally received relief from the horrific burning pain that has been going on for so long. I still have severe pain from my neck all the way down to my right hand and appendages. But the burning is under control. If you are not getting proper results, consult your doctor. It's possible that the level of medication is not strong enough. Imal - USA

I have recently been prescribed the above drug for help with the pain of RSD/CRPS, until now I have been using a TENS machine and routine strong painkillers/anti-inflammatories. This drug, so far, is proving excellent. I have had a proper nights sleep for the first time in nearly 9 months, and I am almost pain-free on good days, and significantly better on bad days - to the extent that I can still work. I am only in the early days of using it but it seems a miracle! Heather - South West England

I saw an Anaestheologist two weeks ago. He gave me the name for what I've been living with since July of 1997. I sustained severe damage to my Ulnar Nerve in my right arm at the elbow. It was a 100% block at the time and I now know it was NOT treated within the time frame for a hopeful full recovery. I now have permanent damage and it affects my life in HUGE degrees. The cold bothers it severely. My family Dr. put me on MS Contin in December of '97 and Percocet for the breakthrough pain. It was I who found out about the Gabapentin. I was on this for one year, which allowed me to reduce the Percocet. Then my family doctor 'kindly' dumped me from his practice after seeing him for 8 years. I didn't even see it coming. There is only 1 doctor accepting new patients in Medicine Hat and that is NOT good, even for a pop. of roughly 60,000 people. This doctor only does what I ask him to do. Although I do have a medical background as an RN and have learned tons from being ill. However, I am NOT a diagnostician or an M.D. I also have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue which started to present in 1991. My last shift at work at the hospital was January 6, 1992. I was never able to return and so lost all my financial security, my career, my health as my immune system is in my boots. Needless to say, I don't know of anyone with FM/CFS that don't have problems sleeping. Since I came off of the MS Contin, I'm right back at square one with poor pain management and the sleep deprivation. So, I just wondered if there is anything anyone has any input to help me with, either with meds or pain management? Leona - Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada

I've been taking Gabapentin for almost a month, gradually increasing the dose as directed by my GP until I'm now taking 900mg a day, so not much compared with some others. I have RSI, not RSD/CRPS, but the Pain Clinic doctor suggested Gabapentin might help. It hasn't. My symptoms have worsened, I now have tingling in both hands and both arms, my knees burn, my leg muscles hurt, my weight has ballooned (I daren't weigh myself!) and I have really bad indigestion, wind at both ends, and am totally constipated. Also, not surprisingly, I suppose, I'm really depressed! So thanks, but no thanks! Peter M

I have been on Gabapentin since I was diagnosed in Dec 2003 at first I never felt any better and the pain in my arm was still making me bang my head against the wall (I am not mad really) then my pain specialist raised my dosage to 600mg three times a day and it got rid of most of the burning pain and took the swelling down considerably. I suffer from some of the side effects but, to rid me of the most of my pain, I will put up with them. It has never taken all of the pain away but has seriously helped till now. I feel that they are not working as well as they used to; maybe my body has become immune to them. I am now waiting to see the Nurse to discuss having SCS treatment as everything else we have tried has not worked. Kaye - Billericay, Essex, UK

I was frustrated to be gaining weight when I was trying to slim. Then I wondered if it was the Gabapentin I had been prescribed for the last six weeks by a pain clinic. I have gained 10 lbs in six weeks. I started with 300mg of Gabapentin per day increasing the dose by 300mg per day each week until after 6 weeks I am taking 1800mg per day. It does not appear to be diminishing my leg pains (caused by spinal stenosis). I think I shall stop taking it. Neil - London, UK