Neurontin - does neurontion really work for back pain, spinal pain, nerves, and neck pain?

This drug is very old and well-proven. My sister was on it in childhood for a chronic condition and I have been taking it since 2008. I take three 300mg at night and it lasts 24 hours. I am not allowed to take aspirin because I could bleed to death. I was taking 5000, yes, thousand, mg of aspirin and my doctor freaked out. They gave me the prescription for gabapentin (Neurontin), which effects your GABA receptors and it felt like someone had poured cold water over my pain. I've been on it ever since. I know it's been around since 1955 when my sister was taking it as a little girl. The great thing is that it is not an opiate, but if you have been taking it steadily for many years, you will have withdrawals. It's generic too! Very cheap now. I'm just glad there is something I can take that won't effect my liver and still help my back. I have 8 levels fused in my back and it is constant pain. The gabapentin makes it tolerable. You can also buy just GABA, but it won't pass the blood brain barrier. Gabapentin (Neurontin) does.

Sadly, this medicine did not work for me. You will probably go through a series of combinations until you find what will work... sometimes. It all depends on your pain level. I’m a candidate for neck surgery but am not quite ready for that yet. Migraines, vertigo, stomach aches, uncomfortable sleeping and PAIN in my shoulders, neck and back all due to c4-c7 disc degeneration and cervical spondylosis with radiculapathy. Trying to manage all of this, unfortunately the weather places a big part in how you feel when dealing with all this too. I live in Cleveland Ohio where we can get all 4 seasons on 1 day.. lol

Yes! It helps especially and exceptionally with nerve pain!! It helps when everything else doesn't help. Take the medicine. You'll feel better!

To me it doesn’t help back or neck pain it is now a narcotic lol my doc tried to give me that trash again for my neck pain I got 3 herniated disk in my neck and wanted me to sign a pain contract I just said throw that script away and walked out if you got a cold go to your regular doctor if anything else go to a specialist

I have been taking gabapentin for about four weeks. Started with 300mg and now up to 900 mg. Has not helped with severe back and sciatica pain. It seems my leg pain is worse. I used to at least be able to walk for 5-10 min. before it started to hurt. Now it hurts right away. I had epidural injections last week and for one day had no pain. The next day it all came back. Has anyone heard of feeling worse pain on the gabapentin?

I saw how they increased dose slowly but it seemed like such a high amount of mg's to work up to that it scared me off. Just met a guy says they work well for him so I asked pharmacist about the high dosage. I trust pharmacist more. He gave me the highest dosage where it may give problems & the dosage docs prescribe are a lot lower so he eased my mind. Now hopefully I can get another script since they classified it controlled substance recently. Docs in wv won't prescribe anything but Motrin 800. If you choose to get back surgery, some surgeons will give you 2 wks 100 mg Tramadol.

I have been on the same meducation off and on for 20 years. I recently started taking it on a daily basis. I have not had more or less pain relief. My experience with this med is that it has taken my ability to drive, and do anything that a normal person could do.I see my doctor in the morning and I will ask to taken off of it. Speaking only for myself, just put me in a wheelchair already. Sooooo... sick of being sick and tired!

I believe that this medication really varies with the individual and for what condition it works it is being used to treat. Years ago, I took this medication and it successfully diminished my neuropathy symptoms in my ankle and foot. In recent years, while trying to take it to address the same burning, spasms, and pain in my neck and shoulders, it yielded zero relief.

Hi timmysmom11,
I was in a serious car accident back in 1983 in which I crushed my hip and my peroneal nerve in my right leg was severed and never grew back. For years the only thing I felt in my right leg was a cold numb feeling( like stepping your foot into slush, keeping it there for 5 mins then taking it out). About 10 years ago, the pain began to get intense. My pain management doctor prescribed Gabapentin and the results were almost immediate. Yes, over time the amount of gabapentin has had to increase, but, it is working. Also, I found that compression socks from Tommie Copper are INCREDIBLE!!!
So, to answer your question, yes, gabapentin does work.

When combined with an opioid it helps in controlling the pain. Combining the two controls pain much better than either alone. What I like is you can take a lower dose of the opioid when combined with this drug. Also the pain relief last longer.

I am 27 years old. I have two herniated discs (L4-L5, vertical herniations with Scmoral's nodes), stenosis, and arthritis. Had an MRI to find this out. I was prescribed Gabapentin, 300mg taken 3 times a day and I feel like at best it has barely taken the edge off of the pain. I am being referred to a Pain Management Center for further help and have a neurosurgeon appointment on Jan 11 and have been told I will more than likely require surgery. With all that being said I do believe this medication will work for certain cases but it just depends on what exactly is going on, especially with this medicine being able to treat a wide variety of problems.

I take Neurontin 300mg three times per day; it is one of those medications that can be used for a variety of things. I take it for Interstitial Cystitis, although I do have pretty severe back and neck issues. I have not had any problems with it, but meds affect everyone differently. Good luck to you, and keep on telling your doctor about you pain level.

I have degenerative disk disease, and a compression fracture in my spine. I have recently had an increase in pain from the two of them. I am in a profession where I cannot take opiods and I have to have a very clear mind at all times. My mother-in-law asked me to try this and I went to a pain doctor (for the first time). He was happy to find someone who did NOT want opiods. I am on a few heart medications so I was pleased that the Gabapentin would not interfere. I have been on this medication for about two months and have about 75% reduction in pain. The first 2 days I was drowsy. After that, no problems. Highly recommend this medication to see if it works for you. I only use 1200 MG per day.