It will be a month on January 4th since I've had surgery on four tendons in my right wrist as well as my medial nerve. Since then I have been a perscribed 300 milligrams motrin as well as percocet 5. I finished those, they really helped a lot.
I recently started hand therapy about a week and a half ago and the pain in my hand and wrist is sometimes unbearable. My doctor recently prescribed me 500 milligram naproxen to take twice daily for pain. as well as 300 milligrams gabapentin to ease onto I have to take 300 milligrams once every evening for 3 days then 600 milligrams in the form of two doses a day for 3 days and then 900 milligrams in the form of three doses daily for 3 days
I am currently on my last day to take 300 milligrams once every evening and the pain is still sometimes unbearable. At times it's nearly impossible to go to sleep . Tonight I took the 500 milligram naproxen followed by the 300 milligram gabapentin and I still have a lot of tingling and throbbing throughout my hand and wrist and a little bit of my arm
I am really in a tough spot because I must follow the doctor's orders and take the doses as advised but if I cannot sleep this is not going to work. I need to know if anyone else has experienced gabapentin not working? Has anyone took an extra dose of 300 milligrams when it hasn't worked? Is that safe? What can I possibly do to ease the pain other than to contact my doctor and request a higher dosage because I just started gabapentin?. I am 19 years old and weigh 165 pounds.
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5 Answers
BO
Bonesone
5 Nov 2018
I’m on gabapentin and it’s not working I’m all so on co-codamol 30mg/50mg it’s for nerve damage as far as I am aware you’re not to take naproxen with gabapentin go see you’re doctor or ask your Pharmacist maybe your doctor thinking the benefits for you far out ways any risk but I would definitely ask your doctor or Pharmacist. Just to be on the safe side
Votes: +0
WI
Windchimes123
28 Aug 2016
Hi Lienlewis, Let me tell you that I'm sorry you are going through this difficult time. You have to remember through all this that you needed the surgery. It's easy to have regrets and get angry. It will do no good and will take away your energy needed for healing.
I would like to compliment you on your ability to communicate so effectively. It helps the reader to get the big picture.
Gabapentin 300 mg is a low dose but you have to slowly increase it. I think the max dose is 2400 mg/day. I was on the low dose for 2 years and it was totally ineffective until it was increased by another doctor . It feels differently than the Percocet pain relief so don't expect the peak pain relief time with the increase in pain 4 hours later. You will not "feel" anythin except, hopefully, lessening of pain. You will feel no difference taking an extra pill so follow directions.
Don't hesitate to call your doctor with complaints! Don't wait for an appointment in a month. A month of suffering can take its toll on you mentally especially if you can't sleep! Gabapentin is for nerve pain only. It's primary use was for seizures so it may affect your thinking process. Read the insert to know what these symptoms are. I had trouble when I got to max dose with becoming depressed but worse was the impulsivity and decision-making. If you have family, you may want to inform them so if they notice changed they can let you know. Sleep: Do not take sleep deprivation lightly! It's necessary for healing. You can get Melatonin (OTC) and see if it helps. Let your doctor know if it continues to be a problem because if can become a chronic problem. He may want to order Lorazepam 0.5 mg to take the edge off so you can sleep. Cymbalta is an anti-depressant but is also used for nerve pain. You may want to read about it and talk to your doctor. On that's that you have therapy, take the naproxen when you feel it's at the peak time for you. Schedule the naproxen for that amount of time prior to your therapy.
Keep up the good work. Stay positive. Keep yourself interested in fun things to get your mind off of it. Best wishes...
Votes: +0
EL
Elea079
28 Aug 2016
I found naproxin to be utterly useless and was taking 800mg of ibuprofen instead wich is realy bad so my doctor let me go back on diclofenac instead wich is much better but there are risks involved I was also on tramadol and coding fosphate and paracetamol and amatriptaline I have recently been taken off the tramadol and amatriptaline and put on gabapentin and am still suffering with unbearable pain and have been taking an extra gabapentin a day bringing me up to 1200mg but tonight I'm gonna take 50mg amatriptaline aswell try to find a level that works before my next appointment as well as my 150mg of diclofenac a day and codine and paracetamol every four hours c what that's like just wish everyone could be pain free
Votes: +0
CH
chuck1957
28 Dec 2015
Lieniewis10; as far as taking an extra Gabapentin it does not work like that you have to slowly go on it and also later they well tapper you off the same way do not take it faster than the directions the doctor gave you it should be very effective for the type of tenden and nerve pain you are having but you have to be patient and take it just as prescribed.
Votes: +2
BE
bestpup
26 Dec 2015
It all depends upon what "type" of pain your having in your wrist. Ideally, Gabapentin/Neurontin is used for nerve pain.The pain would be anywhere from a pulsing pain to a throbbing pain. It sounds like your doctor has dotted the I's and crossed there T's. He/she has given you naproxen for the pain & Gabapentin for the throbbing pain. Finally, I know people don't want to believe this however, ICE is one of if not the best medicine for joint/bone pain. Take the ice pack to bed a long with your prescribed meds. Hopefully, then you will be able to sleep. Lastly, putting your wrist on a pillow may too help by giving the joint some elevation. Hope you feel better! bestpup