Gabapentin question

I had bad reactions, because it gave me breathing problems, and it never worked for my nerve problems. I don't think it's worth anything. I was on a much higher level and had to stop cold turkey.
It's highly addictive! The misery I went through for a week for a very bad drug was awful.

Thanks Alcie and James. I'm sorry for the problems you both had. I am very cautious about taking any medication, since I know the hell it can be to come off of. It's definitely something to consider when going on any drug at all. Funny (not), how docs don't seem interested in bringing up some of these "side-effects," etc with us and act like all the meds are wonderful cure-alls.
Thanks for your replies.

Hi Cathy: I was prescribed 300 mg gabapentin by my doctor approximately 20 years ago. Fast forward to a few years ago. I felt 300 mg was too strong for me (I'm also very sensitive to meds and a little goes a long way!). My doctor then prescribed 100 mg tablets, which I really preferred.

Gabapentin seems to be a very strong medication, in my opinion. I will say it really does a good job of taking the edge off nerve pain and issues. I did gain some weight while taking the 300 mg tablets and have read of others who have, too.

I did get occasional leg cramps, especially while taking the 300 mg tablets, but....not sure if that was from my fibro/neuro issues or the gabapentin. I do recall reading of people who have gotten leg cramps from taking it, but then again there are some people who take a very high dosage daily. I feel pretty safe with the 100 mg tablets, personally. Yesterday and today I had sciatica issues and it helped me with that, too.

Prescription drugs can do weird things to people! I had a very bad reaction to Bactrim, for one. I also could not take Baclofen (maybe I should just avoid meds that start with the letters Bac. ). But yes, everyone is different.

Hope you can find something that helps your pain, tingling, and tics. Keep us posted and wish you the best!

100 mg is a very small dosage, did your doctor say anything about increasing the amount? I took 300 mg for RLS, and it did help. Also, I did quit taking it and never suffered any withdrawal. Your best bet would be to contact your doctor to express your concerns about your symptoms becoming worse.

Sharon

Post Edited (SharonZ) : 9/2/2021 5:08:31 AM (GMT-6)

Cathy, I'm currently taking 100 mg of gabapentin and my doctor has okayed taking it "as needed," so I really like that. I don't take it daily, but maybe 3-4 times per week. I think with my med sensitivity, a little goes a long way.

I would like to see 50 mg gabapentin tablets, too! But the ones I'm prescribed are capsules, so they can't be broken without a mess. I do break Robaxin in half, since it's a tablet (thanks again for that idea you gave me several years ago, Sherrine!).
I really like the idea of starting small, then seeing if it's enough. I do break my Flexeril tablets in half, too. One tablet is actually almost too much for my fussy body to handle.

The buzzing in your legs that you mentioned reminded me of something I had yesterday. I kept thinking a fly or something was on the top of my head. I checked and checked--nothing. I was in the house, so it really puzzled me. When my husband came home, I even had him check my head! It happened about 4-5 times in a couple of hours.

Then I thought (smacking my head!)--it's the fibro, of course! But I had never had that particular sensation before. Yes, fibro can be just plain weird!

I am 74 y.o.male and on Gabapentin 300 mg TID..
My pharmacist told me that I may have to wait up to 2 months to get the relief expected.
I am resistant to almost all the pain killers.
I was on Fentanyl patches up to 87.5 mcg since 1994 folloqing a lumbar disk herniation->discoidectomy unsuccesfull.
2 sessions of 18 months each of Pain Clinic with as a result MORE pain.
Now I am on Hydromorph Contin 12mg, Morning and Night and Hydromorph 2mg QID.
I have a Chronic Acute Kidney Insufficency, an Hypertension, a Lymphoma NH of the Marginal Zone, PCa G(4+3=7)Grade 3 became Grade 4, treated with VMAT-RT 3Gy X 20fx = 60Gy with ADT 6 months.
Now I have procitis which was treated with a coloscopy Argon yesterday (2021/09/10) that they have to redo in 3 months.
And a Foley catheter which will be remove during another cystoscopy #4 on 2021/09/29.
A Pulmonary Emphesyma Gold Grade 3 and to top it of: a Severe Depression.

Just got a call from my pharmacist and she said that we will keep the Hydromorph Contin 12mg for another 6 weeks and then do a cross-sevrage with the new molecule.
We are doing the same, but next 4 weeks with Sertraline.

I have taken Gabapentin for restless legs for close to 5 years. 300 mg at night because it also helps me sleep. I was taking up to 1200 each evening but decided that was too much and slowly weaned back to just 1 capsule a day. It still helps the legs. With the higher dosages, it would really knock me out and I would get dizzy. Just taking the one capsule has made the dizzy go away so I only take 2 if I have been up and down, lifting and cleaning or gardening all day and my leg muscles are tired.