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Gabapentin question

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Fibromyalgia
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CathyA
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 1645
Posted 8/28/2021 7:01 AM (GMT -8)
Hi all. I was recently put on Gabapentin 100 mg/day for pain and tingling and tics. It's been almost 2 weeks, and those symptoms have actually increased. I'm very sensitive to meds, so I hesitate to keep going up on it, which docs like to do. Anyone else on Gabapentin? What has your experience been? I know 2 weeks probably isn't enough time to give it, but it's strange that my symptoms are worse now. And I do understand that we're all different, as far as our reactions to drugs.
Thanks.
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Alcie
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2009
Posts : 5177
Posted 8/29/2021 4:40 AM (GMT -8)
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.
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James9393
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2012
Posts : 67
Posted 8/29/2021 9:14 AM (GMT -8)
If you are on it long the withdrawals are 100 times worse than the worst fibro
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CathyA
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 1645
Posted 8/30/2021 3:33 AM (GMT -8)
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.
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straydog
Forum Moderator
Joined : Feb 2003
Posts : 19261
Posted 8/30/2021 8:33 AM (GMT -8)
Drs, spend years in medical school learning about disease & conditions, they have a limited time learning about medications. Pharmacists on the other hand spend years in school learning about medications.

If one of my drs start me on a new medication I ask questions, I do not rely on him to give me the information. If I am really concerned I speak to my pharmacist directly. I always read the printout given at the pharmacy & you will be amazed at the people who don't. One of the best sources to read about medication is Drugs.com. They keep their database updated at all times.

Your dr listened to you about being sensitive to medications, he started you on a low dose. Typically people start at 300mg & get titrated up as needed.
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Luvzminis
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 2960
Posted 8/31/2021 3:03 PM (GMT -8)
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. smile). 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!
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Luvzminis
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 2960
Posted 9/1/2021 7:20 AM (GMT -8)
Just adding that I happened to think that I had once researched alternatives to medications for nerve pains (I keep a health notebook and it pays to look at it once in a while-- LOL!).

You could easily do a search on 'alternatives to gabapentin,' so I won't post everything I've found, but it goes from exercises, R-alpha lipoic acid, rubbing on aloe vera gel, using creams designed for nerve pain (there are many of these), massage, heat, to green tea, zinc foods such as mushrooms, calming tea such as chamomile, and much more.

I found a NeuroSooth lotion and Nervex, Nervefix, and others. Then there are things like Nerve Renew and others if you search. You could search "best OTC for nerve pain."

Sorry I'm not familiar with many of these, but I have read B vitamins can help, although too many of certain ones can do the reverse, so check with your doctor. And I've read R-alpha lipoic acid is preferable to alpha lipoic acid.

Several things to consider and run by your doctor. Good luck!
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SharonZ
Forum Moderator
Joined : Mar 2014
Posts : 2932
Posted 9/2/2021 3:00 AM (GMT -8)
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)

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CathyA
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 1645
Posted 9/3/2021 2:08 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks Luvzminis, Straydog and Sharon. I'm still having actually new buzzing in my legs. Since I'm so sensitive, I was thinking maybe 50mg would be enough for me. So I checked if 100's came in tabs I could break in half, and I couldn't find any. Luvzminis......were you on those 100mg tablets recently?
It's weird, I can only take Tramadol 1-2 times a week, and only 1/2 of a 50mg tablet per that 1 or 2 days, So my system is pretty funky! I appreciate all the extra info you've given me Luvzminis! And thanks to everyone for your replies.
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Luvzminis
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 2960
Posted 9/3/2021 3:31 PM (GMT -8)
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!
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Luvzminis
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 2960
Posted 9/4/2021 5:35 AM (GMT -8)
One last thing I meant to add. I sometimes take something called "Calm Tabs" from Puritan's Pride and find it takes the edge off mild nerve pain. They're a round tablet and even half of one helps me at times. It's a mix of valerian, passionflower, celery seed extract, chamomile, hops, and orange peel extract.

Swanson Health has a similar product called "Valerian, Chamomile and Hops". They come in a capsule.

They do make me a bit sleepy. I definitely wouldn't drive while taking them.

One more thing to check out with your doctor.
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doc1947g
New Member
Joined : Sep 2021
Posts : 1
Posted 9/5/2021 1:50 AM (GMT -8)
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.
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Luvzminis
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 2960
Posted 9/8/2021 4:17 PM (GMT -8)
Thinking of you, doc 1947. You are dealing with so much! Take care and wish you the best.
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Sandysue202
New Member
Joined : Dec 2022
Posts : 1
Posted 12/18/2022 9:21 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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