Gabapentin for Burning Mouth Syndrome User Reviews

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2020

"I’ve been on a very high dose of gabapentin 800mg 3x per day and it’s been great. The only bad thing I realized is it has caused weight gain at such a high dose. I’m going to really monitor my weight as I’ve had BMS (burning Mouth Syndrome) for many years and at times all I want to do is cry. Many people haven’t heard of it so they think I’m making it up. Maybe they should feel it for a day? Just overwhelmingly painful."

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2020

"I went to see 3 specialists and 2 internists, and neither of them ever heard of this disorder called burning mouth syndrome. I even had tests, cultures, and an MRI, all normal. My new doctor never heard of it, but she called me the next day after it intrigued her and she ordered Gabapentin 100 mg TID. It helped, but we had to up the dose to 400 mg TID because I’m a big man. This really helped in combination with Alpha Lipoic Acid. After research, I stopped my Lisinopril and started Valsartan. It’s been 4 weeks, and it’s gone."

• Non...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2021

"I have an unfilled prescription, and after seeing this forum, I'm not too sure I will take gabapentin, as I already take a small dose of a benzo and ALA, plus a saliva producer as needed. Not sure I want to keep adding to my medication list! BMS is horrible, though, so I really don't know what to do. In pain for a year now, but feeling some relief from ALA. I do disagree with one post I read about gabapentin causing BMS. Research is now finding it to be more of a stress-related symptom than anything, and yes, I too developed it after COVID (referring to the person that made the comment about gabapentin being BMS cause). I guess there may be many different causes, as post-menopause is supposedly one! My heart aches for all sufferers because I'm also one, and my brain is racing all the time trying to figure out the best course of action. I probably should just do as my doctor says, but so many of them put us on meds."

• Pup...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2020

"Just started on gabapentin, and I'm really heartened to hear your success stories! I will keep going on it. BTW, I find that chewing Extra (brand) watermelon sugar-free gum is a huge help. Sometimes it's the only thing that helps. It produces abundant saliva, and for me, that's been key. Good luck, everybody! Thanks."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2022

"I began having what seemed like symptoms of thrush about six months ago post-Covid. None of the medications for that helped, so my doctor re-diagnosed me as having Burning Mouth Syndrome two weeks ago. She started me on 100 mg of gabapentin three times a day, and it has helped a lot. I can use a straw again, breathing and speaking no longer hurt, and I can feel my teeth again with my tongue. Next time I see her, I'll ask for 300 mg of gabapentin three times a day. I get really sleepy right after taking the 100 mg, so if 300 mg makes me even more sleepy, I'll go back down to 100 mg. I'm very thankful for this medication because the pain before taking it was beyond excruciating. Now it's bearable. My lips still feel hot but aren't painful. My chin is still numb. The front and sides of my tongue still hurt, but not always, and I'm able to tolerate more foods now. Before, I was only able to eat yogurt, applesauce, and really cheap hotdogs."

• des...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 13, 2019

"I have had burning mouth syndrome (BMS) for 14 years, and gabapentin only helps at the highest dosage, which is 600 mg three times a day. I haven’t had any major side effects, but the edge it takes off of the BMS is worth the side effects. I have gone off of it to see if it helps, and it definitely makes a difference. I also take the generic of Cymbalta 60 mg once daily, and that is another big help, taking the edge off. I also take other medications to help, but some days I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it through the pain. Every day is different. I don’t know of anyone that BMS has gone away unless it was caused by a fungus, low B12, or some type of allergy."

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2022

"I have taken gabapentin 300 mg for about 2 years. It definitely helps. I tried to go off it and realized that mouth burning was much worse. I take four 300 mg capsules each day. After consulting several dentists, doctors, and a dental research facility, an allergy doctor prescribed gabapentin. I still have BMS, but it is manageable."

• Cin...
• May 4, 2018

"I do have one side effect that I am acutely aware of. I'm on a very high dosage. In order for it to be effective, I take 600-900 mg every 6 hours due to my high metabolism. This is around the clock. If I miss a dose, my skin starts burning around my face, hands, and feet. Some would consider this withdrawal. I think so too. But this medication is the lesser of two evils for me. My BMS was and still can be very painful, burning, and debilitating. I'll take the withdrawal. Some say it's not addictive. I say wrong... never try to stop this drug cold turkey. It can have adverse effects both mentally and physically."

• jba...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 9, 2020

"I've been on gabapentin for 10 years for sleep (bad plan, it’s fast-acting and only works for a few hours for sleepiness, and then you wake up again) and recently for feelings of electric shocks/electricity coursing through my body. I probably had COVID in February, and burning mouth syndrome started soon after. That’s also when I went up to 900 mg of gabapentin a day. I think the gabapentin is causing the mouth burning. Going off it is really hard. It is definitely addictive. And you will definitely suffer. This is not a safe drug. Are any drugs actually safe? So I make the choice: suffer with these feelings of electric shock or suffer with feelings of overwhelming weakness, shakiness, and burning mouth? I absolutely am convinced now that the gabapentin causes this excessive weakness I feel every single day."

• src...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2025

"I was on 300 mg 3x daily of gabapentin for burning mouth syndrome. It did take the edge off, but unfortunately, it gave me respiratory problems. The problem started out fairly mild but increased over time. I would recommend trying it."

• May...
• January 31, 2020

"Diagnosed with having BTS (burning mouth syndrome) last November by an ENT doctor. My doctor had been treating me for thrush since March, with no improvement. I am on gabapentin 300 mg three times daily for stenosis in my back. Was wondering how high I could go. I want to discuss this with my doctor at my next visit. Any suggestions would be very appreciated."

• ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2015

"Right now, I feel like my blood has been drained from my body. Each morning, I feel faint, and my legs feel like jelly. Should I continue with this med? Taking 300 mg per day."

• Jea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 2, 2023

"I am not getting much pain relief. I am taking 2600 mgs daily."