Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia User Reviews

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2014

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I was first given Neurontin for the shingles, for a few days nothing helped the pain of the shingles, most painful thing I have ever had. After about a week I started feeling better, was sleeping all night and now I have no pain. Even though I still have the shingles best medicine for pain I have ever taken."

• Fifi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2014

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I have taken Neuorontin for over five years. I have Multiple Sclerosis and lots of nerve pain. This medicine works...But it will change your personality. BEWARE.. can make you violent. However for nerve pain best medicine out there."

• nonname
• April 15, 2016

Neurontin (gabapentin) "Have been on this for over a month and each increase by my doctor provides no relief whatsoever. The last increase has resulted in severe dizziness, light-headedness, memory loss and forgetfulness, fatigue, racing thoughts during sleep, inability to sleep more than a few hours, and most importantly, no effect on the severe pain from postherpetic neuralgia. I will not be accepting another increase from the doctor, the side effects are intolerable, not to mention the side effects of weaning off this ineffective drug that I have yet to suffer."

• 24th ID
• August 3, 2011

Neurontin (gabapentin) "My doctor started me on this after I had crazy nerve pain due to shingles. It works amazing for me! When I don't take it or it's time for my dose it feels like I've been shot in the area where my shingles were worst. So I have nothing but great things to say about this medicine for me."

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2012

Gralise (gabapentin) "I have nerve damage caused by surgery for removal of a Bartholin's Gland cyst. The nerve damage causes me constant pain, when untreated, from a scale of 8-10. The Gralise (along with Norco) makes it tolerable and in the mornings, sometimes my pain goes all the way down to a 4 (not every morning). The side effects I have are dizziness, inability to find words, blurred vision, and, strangely (because of where my pain is), increased libido. I can't even sit in a chair, yet all I think about all day is sex. The Grailise has helped a lot with my pain, but I only rated it an eight because of all of the potential side effects. As soon as my doctor finds another treatment (like a nerve block), I'm going to get off of it."

• Cindy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2019

"I was given gabapentin for shingles nerve pain. If I take 100 mg I go to sleep. I only take 50 mg a day. Everybody is different on this drug, and if you are having side effects, and a doctor is telling you to keep taking it...I would either lower the dosage and or get a second opinion. Too many drugs are given out at a dose that somebody said is “the norm”. Well, we are each unique. If you are ever uncomfortable or having bad side effects I would read up on the drug, and talk to you doc again, and....in the end, only you know exactly how you feel. If side effects are not getting better, not going away, and they are interfering too much in your life, not the correct drug or dose for you."

• Steam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 18, 2019

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I had an accident and broke my leg in half and had to be life flighted to Pittsburgh hospital. I live in West Virginia. They wanted to amputate my leg but I said no and ended up with 15 surgeries and 20 pins. I am disabled due to it but I have my leg. The pain was the worst I have ever felt. I was on oxycontin 40 MG 3 x day with 30 MG oxycodone 8 x daily instant release tabs,with neurontin as well. But as I was wean down on pain meds I was left with neurontin. I have severe nerve damage to my whole leg. I'm on two 400 MG tabs 3 x daily. So 2400 MG total daily. I will be on for rest of my life. It is made my life so much better. I can walk without pain but sleep is rough with nite terror for me. But short of that I would recommend it for nerve damage. It helps me function mentally as well. It's great!"

• Ajay
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2020

Neurontin (gabapentin) "Due to a loss of oxygen to my brain (hypoxia) and 2 minor strokes I have no feeling in my feet. My hands have some feeling, but only about 40%. Hands hurt really bad. Using Neurontin for 4 years. Pain is almost gone. I can flex my fingers. I take a high dose as I also have chronic neck and back pain. 800 mg 3x a day. I have had no side effects whatsoever. Very safe and effective."

• Hayle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 20, 2017

"I came down with a terrible bout of shingles on my head and left side I'm Dec 2016. The pain was terrible and the only thing that gave me relief was gabapentin and effexor. I'm youngish only 38. I have been taking 600mg of gabapentin and 150mg effexor antidepressants the combination works for relief from nerve pain. I'm nearly six months with phn. In my experience gabapentin is the best treatment for shingles. The side effect I have the most is constipation buy I take a fibre supplement in my morning coffee. Shingles pain is horrible."

• Melody
• September 18, 2013

Gralise (gabapentin) "I've had moderate to severe low back pain for over 20 years due to herniated discs. After years of being handed Percocet (which only worked about an hour for me) and everything up to straight OxyContin, I think I have found something that works! It's only been about a month, but in combination with Percocet, the severe pain has been minimized. I gave it an 8 because I never want to over hype a medication and I've only been on this about a month."

• No...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2017

Gralise (gabapentin) "I have severe pain from spinal nerve damage in lower back, radiating around my hip area and down my leg. Had multiple injections with minimal relief. Started Gralise in 2014 and it has been a quality of life changer. I take 1800 mg and have no major side effects. I have been able to start exercising again-mostly walking-without the intense pain, and I don't limp anymore. The only negative is the pill size is kind of big, but the shape makes it easier to swallow."

• KBB
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2023

"I was prescribed a regimen of gabapentin to prevent post-shingles pain. It called for ramping up over several weeks to 5 tabs/day, staying at that level for a month, then tapering off over several weeks. After 3 weeks at the max dose, I woke up at 2 am to discover I had wet the bed. Then the next night it happened again! I discovered the joys of the adult diaper aisle at Walmart and immediately started tapering off the drug. The next day no bedwetting - I pooped my diaper in my sleep instead! Vicious diarrhea. Tapered off the drug over a couple of days (not the weeks as prescribed) and once I was done after a couple of days no further incidents. NOT recommended, especially as a mere preventative for a condition I did not have! Google for the side effects, be warned. My doctor did not warn me about any of this."

• True...
• February 25, 2016

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I experienced severe nerve pain following a second bout of shingles less than 3 months apart. During a 2 year period my doctors tried me on regular Gabapentin in combination with other medications - all with severe side effects and no relief from the constant pain and lack of a good night sleep. I gained over 50 lbs as well. My neurologist prescribed Horizant twice a day and my life changed almost over night! I choose not to take it in combination with anything else other than 800 mg Ibuprofen when needed because concerns of past side effects. Eventhough my nerve pain has continued two years later and another bout of shingles I have been able to manage the pain with Horizant."

• AndiF
• June 9, 2013

Gralise (gabapentin) "I have had this condition for 3.5 years now and no diagnosis as why it's happening. Epidurals, narcotics, Tramadol, Lyrica don't seem to work for the "painful tingles". Gabapentin helps with that, but my pain is still acute. The numbness over my right rib cage is nearly unbearable. 12 doctors want to ease the pain, but no one wants to find out WHY! Plus, they are not very good at easing the pain. Now they want to put a neural stimulator in me and if it's anything like a TENS machine, all it will do is irritate me. I will not go off the Gabapentin until my diagnosis. The side effect of not being able to remember words really bothers me."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2016

Neurontin (gabapentin) "Prescribed for nerve pain following shingles after crippling left hand side pain that did not respond to standard analgesia. two unexpected beneficial side effects have occurred. My long term and almost permanent anxiety ( we are talking 35 years ) has been greatly reduced. The problem that I had following a transient ischamic attack some five years prior where my bodies idea of the spacial position of my left leg via external stimulus did not agree with my visual perception and viewing my leg caused a strange spacial readjustment where the leg shifted four inches to the left but in reality stayed still. My visual acuity also improved as if everything was lit by stage lighting."

• Man
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 28, 2024

Gralise (gabapentin) "I have permanent cervical and lumbar spinal cord damage with fusions. I take 1800 mg after dinner every night. It doesn't take away the pain completely, but it makes it tolerable enough to live a normal life. No side effects that I can notice. The only bad thing is the price. It is very expensive. Hopefully a generic form will be on the market soon."

• Michi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2018

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I have been prescribed this drug twice for Trigeminal neuralgia . 4 years ago and I weighed 310 pounds. I took this drug with seemingly no help. The pain went away totally one day. No clue was given. It, ( the pain), has returned with a vengeance. I am on a 600mg 3 times a day and cannot even talk without a painful shock to my face. My face feels like the dentist hit a nerve in a tooth. Wind, water, a wrong touch and I am knocked to my knees, seriously. What is a better choice. The pain has got to stop."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2014

"I have been taking Gabapentin for four months for post herpetic neuralgia. This medicine has been an absolute miracle for me! I had been prescribed all the usual pain killers - Codeine, Tramadol, Amitriptyline, Ibuprofen with absolutely no effect. I take 400mg of Gabapentin three times a day. I hope to be able reduce the dosage over the next few months. This is the only medicine that has enabled me to function and work normally. I don't know where I would be without it."

• FLash
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2020

Gralise (gabapentin) "My issues are Fibromyalgia, Neuropathy, herniated and bulging disks, spinal stenosis, Tinnitus. I started off on Lyrica about 10 yrs ago from my Neurologist - it didn't help. Finally I was put on Gabapentin for 3 years - still no change. So finally Spine specialist switched me to Gralise 600 mg - 3 with dinner. I couldn't believe it!!! Something that finally worked so wonderfully!!!! It even seems to help the Tinnitus which can drive a person insane!!!!"

• Xwork...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2018

"I had a case of Shingles in March of 2016. Was prescribed Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia which developed. I take 300mg 6 times a day. The medication seems to stem the the acute stabbing pains (most of the time), but the feeling of having a severe sunburn persists on my left side. I have had no side effects from this medication."

• Stuart...
• February 17, 2016

Neurontin (gabapentin) "My GP prescribed Neurontin to treat pain from PHN, increasing to 1800mg per day. After 6 weeks I find it does reduce pain to some extent and I am able to get a reasonable sleep. Side effects include ringing in ears and tingling in feet and hands, but I can put up with this. I was previously taking Lyrica but experienced very nasty side effects and had to be weaned off it."

• Garye
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2016

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I came down with "Shingles" a little over 2 weeks ago, was put on anti viral drugs, this helped in fading the rash, still there but has faded, problem now is the pain, its in the rash area,its pain full, 24/7, was first given Tramadol,to many side effects, then Hydrocodon acetaminophen, this helped a little, but not much, then regular asprin, helped some, but pain is at the point can't sleep more then 2 hrs, called back to my Dr, now its Gabapentin, for nerve pain, i just took first dose last night, so really its to early to see if this will help, sure hope so!."

• Farfe...
• February 25, 2008

"I started trying gabapentin for fibromyalgia and it has worked really well - I had been on small doses of amitriptyline but that was awful - made me feel stunned in the morning. Gabapentin, on the other hand, has a shorter half-life and I wake feeling OK."

• Bless...
• October 19, 2014

"After having shingles (most painful experience I have ever had) the nerve pain came and I didn't know there was help. Went to follow up appointment and they gave me Gabapentin and IT WORKED. I am still on and will stay on as I feel it is allowing me to live life. I have been out of work after 2 weeks in hospital and the recovery with nerve pain since 8-6-14 returning 11-13-14 and saying prayers I can live normally. Side effects worth the good effects. Remembering a word, stuttering, dizzy, blurred vision I'll take it over the pain any day. I am NOT a medicine person, it is the only medicine I take at 57 years old. Worth a try for sure."

• Poshf...
• November 7, 2016

"Originally prescribed this for post herpetic neuralgia. What I'd found out (personally) is that it's a huge blessing for my anxiety &a panic attacks as well as my depression (I think it's bi-polar but I haven't revealed my symptoms to my psych doc yet). I have issues right now with my short term memory and there will be times when I forget to take it and my brain reminds me! Within 20 minutes or less of taking it I am human again. It's a blessing! I need to tell my psychiatrist about this! I have an entirely blessed life because of this med."