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Gabapentin for Fibromyalgia User Reviews

Brand names: Neurontin, Gralise, Fanatrex, Gabarone

Gabapentin has an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from a total of 177 reviews for the off-label treatment of Fibromyalgia. 56% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 23% reported a negative experience.

Gabapentin rating summary

6.7 average rating out of 10

177 ratings from 188 user reviews.

Compare all 27 medications used in the treatment of Fibromyalgia.

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25%
9
16%
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14%
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8%
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3%
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5%
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5%
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6%
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14%

Reviews for Gabapentin

  • Granny
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 25, 2020

"Pain medications have never worked on me. I am 72 and have severe arthritis, and every joint hurts. I have had one knee replacement and will have the other one done very soon. I worked hard all my life. Some days I wonder why I keep getting out of bed. I was finally prescribed gabapentin because nothing else worked, and it gives me the relief I never had before. I wish I had known about this sooner because I wasted a lot of my life in pain."

10 / 10
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186 Report
  • Bedaz...
  • March 19, 2014

"I am a 43-year-old and I have had so much tenderness and pain with fibromyalgia, and to tell the truth, I don't like to take medication... but I was in such terrible pain I decided to go on GABAPENTIN under my doctor's care. I am in awe. I feel so much better, especially in the morning. I also swim and get light massages to manage the pain. I can actually move my neck without agony! My doctor started me out on a higher dose than normal because of the pain. I take 3 of the 400 mg capsules daily. I have only been on them a few days, but I can feel a BIG DIFFERENCE! I actually have energy and my mind is not as 'foggy' as before. I hope and pray this medication continues to give me fantastic results with few side effects."

8 / 10
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324 Report
  • Legobo
  • August 17, 2013

"For the past 5 years, I have suffered with fibromyalgia. I wake 4 or 5 times a night and generally feel like I have had the flu all that time. I started on gabapentin 100mg 3 times daily for 4 weeks and did feel like I had a bit more energy. My GP then put me up to 300mg 3 times daily, and it has made a massive difference. For the first time in years, I get a good night's sleep and don't feel like I have been hit by a bus when I wake."

9 / 10
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278 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Tisza
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 16, 2013

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2006 and have been on a very, very low dosage of gabapentin 300mg at bedtime ever since. My fibromyalgia is manageable and I have no side effects from the medicine. I lead a very busy life. I am an executive assistant in a fast-paced organization, and a very involved grandmother to 3. Rarely, I will have a flare that is triggered by extreme stress, and I will have a day in bed, but most days I am putting in 12-hour days at work. And weekends, I am busy with family, so I feel gabapentin saved my life! It was a miracle from the first few weeks of taking it."

10 / 10
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264 Report
  • Carme...
  • November 25, 2013

"I have very recently started taking gabapentin after spending over half my life in chronic crippling pain. Years of stretching, chiropractors, physical therapy, heavy pain medications, cortisone injections, along with bilateral foot surgery, bilateral TMJ surgery, and reaching the point of wishing I was dead due to pain being unbearable, a new GP from a small clinic was the first to say the word Fibromyalgia. Within a few days, I noticed that I was able to return to daily activities again like laundry, cooking, and playing with my kids and the family pets. My mood and outlook on life have dramatically improved. Still occasional aches but nothing like before, and only occasional Lortab for extreme days. Gabapentin gave me back my life."

10 / 10
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241 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Deep...
  • May 26, 2014

"Was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at the start of the year, having suffered with severe neck and upper back pain. The deep pain, especially in the upper back right in between the shoulder blades, was unbearable most of the time. I had the symptoms for over 2 years before the diagnosis and had almost 80 sessions of treatment with 11 different therapists. Anyway, started taking duloxetine, gabapentin, and Co-codamol in January. Started gabapentin at 300 mg a day and built up to 1800 mg a day by the end of March. Over the last few weeks, I feel that I am starting to get my life back. Not totally pain-free, but I now have spells where the pain is bearable. So if you have just started on this, be patient and fingers crossed you will get relief."

8 / 10
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213 Report
  • tango...
  • October 24, 2014

"My new doctor just prescribed Neurontin. For the first time in years, I had a good night's sleep and woke up with less pain and stiffness. It's the first 'Good morning' I can truly say. Only 300 mg dosage. Thrilled. My previous doctor tried other medications, always an epic failure. My new doctor listened to my 'story', paid attention, and believed me when I brought up my Fibromyalgia."

10 / 10
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204 Report

More FAQ

  • JMFis...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 28, 2018

"I've been taking Cymbalta to relieve my fibromyalgia pain for about a year now, but due to the colder temperatures, my pain started to significantly increase. I met with my doctor and she prescribed Gabapentin. I currently take 300 mg at bedtime and will eventually titrate up to 900 mg a day (three 300 mg doses per day). After taking my first pill at bedtime, I noticed that my legs felt odd. They were sort of warm. It was more like a calming sensation than anything else. That's when I realized that I wasn't in pain. After one 300 mg pill, I was relatively pain-free 20-30 minutes after. I was shocked! I kept hopping out of bed to walk around, do squats, etc., because I was so amazed by the lack of pain. This drug may not work for everyone, but I saw significant relief almost immediately!"

10 / 10
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123 Report
  • Pearlee
  • June 28, 2015

"After a nightmare of narcotic meds for my fibro, I was put on 900mg a day of gabapentin. It didn't work right away, and I wanted to stop taking it. My doctor explained that it sometimes works like an antidepressant: slowly. She told me to keep at it. Slowly, I began to realize that I felt way better! My pain had eased, my sleep was more regular. I haven't experienced any side effects at all. It is such a mild medicine and one I thank God for every day. I am at a 1200mg a day dose and will probably increase that slowly as the need arises. I encourage anyone with fibromyalgia to try this med. It may not be narcotic, but it helps! And that's all that matters."

8 / 10
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170 Report
  • Lbc
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 13, 2014

"I was given Neurontin by my orthopedic surgeon for nerve pain in my back before having a hip replacement. It dawned on me after a week or so, I had no fibromyalgia pain. After going over what I had been doing differently, I figured out it was the Neurontin. I googled it and found that the University of Cincinnati had tested it yielding positive results in treating fibromyalgia pain symptoms. My doctor has decided to continue the medicine as long as I am getting relief from the pain. I do have to say that the fibro fog is still a bit of an issue and I find my short-term memory is a bit glitchy. But, hey, that's what iPhones are for, right? Being pain-free is worth the trade-off. My brain is slowly acclimating. It's great to live and not just cope."

10 / 10
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175 Report
  • Spooks
  • January 18, 2016

"I'm 53 and have fibromyalgia. I was at the end of my tether with the pain. A new doctor put me on Gabapentin. I take 200mg 3 x a day. It has literally changed my life. My pain levels have reduced dramatically, I don't wake up with the 'fibro fog' and my energy levels are as a 'normal' person's would be. It has been a revelation!"

9 / 10
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156 Report
  • Cecelia...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 14, 2014

"I was diagnosed in 2009 after over a decade of chronic aches and pains that couldn't be described by any physicians. After countless blood tests, MRIs, CAT scans, and the like, I finally found a neurologist that decided to try Gabapentin. I've been on it now, low dose, for about a week. Placebo effect or otherwise, I do feel better. My normal daily functions seem easier, the pain has almost entirely subsided to a 'dull' ache, my headaches have dwindled to almost nothing, and my energy has increased; which I can only attribute to actually sleeping through the night for more than four days. I will be gradually increasing my dosage over the next four weeks to see if I get even better. I'm ecstatic that I found this physician and Gabapentin!"

9 / 10
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179 Report
  • Lynsi...
  • October 5, 2015

"Gabapentin saved my life! It literally cured EVERYTHING FOR ME, that nothing else could treat: migraine, nerve pain, muscle pain, anxiety, ADHD, and depression. I feel like I'm free to be myself again. And I can focus, breathe, and smile. Thank you, God. I seriously recommend it to anyone with any of my diseases."

10 / 10
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159 Report
  • debs
  • August 29, 2014

"This medicine is a wonder drug. I suffer with fibro. Anyone who says it doesn't needs to be on 900 a day to start with. Finally pain free, no anxiety. I still have to be aware not to roll down hills with my great nephew, it hurts."

10 / 10
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164 Report
  • TheMama
  • March 2, 2012

Neurontin (gabapentin) "Ever since I started on Neurontin, it's really helped the fibromyalgia pain to be under much better control than before. I highly recommend it as a treatment. The only side effect that I've experienced so far is a rebound of pain when too much time has passed in between doses. I have found that spacing it out every 8 hrs instead of just 3x/day provides better relief of symptoms from FM."

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184 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 18, 2018

"I AM IN SHOCK!! I have suffered from leg pain chronic for 20 years. Nothing has worked other than Tylenol 3 codeine. My doctor prescribed Gabapentin - 6 pills a day, so a total of 600mg. I am pain-free for 4 to 5 hours, then I need another dose. I am so happy I could cry. This is a horrible illness to live with daily - fibromyalgia. Good luck everyone."

8 / 10
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104 Report
  • NinaR...
  • June 10, 2015

"I am 49 and been suffering with fibromyalgia for years. I have been disabled because of it. Six weeks ago I had the worst flare up in years, and the pain was so overwhelming I barely left the house. I got a new doctor who gave me Gabapentin and started me out on the lowest dose possible. I had never heard of it but assumed because of the low dose, 100 mg to start with, it would take a while to feel any effects. I woke up the next morning almost pain free. I felt like I won the lottery. I don't understand what or why it worked so fast, but I thank God for it. I do have drowsiness, but it's well worth it. I have had some pain since then and am still building up my dosage, but my quality of life has improved drastically in just a few days."

8 / 10
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145 Report
  • Morgan...
  • April 10, 2013

Gralise (gabapentin) "After decades on pain meds, they are working less and less. In addition to fibromyalgia, I have bulging and herniated discs, neuropathy, and (controlled) epilepsy. I have learned to live with constant pain. My doc suggested Gralise (gabapentin) and said that he felt confident I would see good results. I am AMAZED. I saw immediate improvement in my ability to walk and move around. I am experiencing considerably less pain. I am concerned because my insurance will not cover the brand (which is time-released) that I am taking, and it is expensive, but I remain optimistic and I will try the 3 times a day dosages. I have not felt this good in many years."

9 / 10
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158 Report
  • Mareb...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 23, 2013

"I have severe fibromyalgia, severe Crohn's disease and other conditions associated with these. I've taken pain medicines and Lyrica with little help. I was put on 600 mg of gabapentin and the results were fantastic. Helped my Crohn's and arthritis also. Very happy."

10 / 10
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155 Report
  • Lo22
  • May 8, 2013

"Gabapentin has saved my life. I am able to function now. Dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia for the past 20 years has been a challenge, not to mention the pain. I felt like I was a guinea pig, trying all the medicines out there and being allergic to most of them while the others didn't come close to working. But with the gabapentin, I was so tired but after a while that went away. I wanted to up the dosage but my doctor did it very slowly. Even though I am not 100% pain-free at this time, I can function and be happy. I will always have this medicine with me so I will never miss a dose."

10 / 10
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146 Report
  • Trade...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 13, 2015

"I take 4 doses of 300mg Gabapentin every day, and it completely interrupts my regular daily pain cycle. It is also an excellent analgesic enhancer when taken with other pain meds. No side effects other than mild sedation, and nothing like brain-numbing Lyrica."

8 / 10
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128 Report
  • Smart...
  • July 12, 2016

"People often feel inclined to share negative experiences, so I thought I would add my positive one in case anybody feels encouraged. I have Fibro, POTs, scoliosis, complex regional pain syndrome, and a few other minor issues. I work part-time and am a single mum (not all partners wish to hang around once you get poorly lol). I spent many years struggling with my symptoms, but a new doctor invited me to try Gabapentin. I worked up to a dose of 900mg twice a day and 1200mg at night. I have to say I would not be without it. Gone are the restless legs which kept me awake at night, gone is the interminable insomnia, irritable bladder, IBS flares... My pains are dulled. I didn't get headaches, I don't feel dizzy beyond my normal POTs symptoms. I rate it!"

9 / 10
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110 Report
  • nina
  • March 23, 2013

"I have been on Neurontin for fibromyalgia pain and sciatica nerve pain for several months. I can truly say it is a miracle for me. I can hardly get out of bed in the morning, and when I do, I feel like I have been hit by a truck. When I take my Neurontin (600mg 3 times a day), I feel so much better. I have the energy to get things done, and it makes the stiffness I feel in my muscles relax more to ease the pain. I have gained a little weight on this medicine, but when the warmer weather hits, I am going to try and get outside and get some exercise. It helps with my high anxiety levels as well, and my psych doc told me that this is a wonderful medicine for anxiety and depression as well. I consider it my miracle pill."

10 / 10
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141 Report
  • TxLindy
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 6, 2013

"My pain is gone. I consider this a miracle. Before taking this medication, I was in so much pain that life was almost unbearable. I was always so tired from little sleep. I sleep normally now and am pain-free. I haven't experienced any side effects."

10 / 10
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138 Report
  • CGano
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 21, 2019

"Put off taking this medication for half a year as I was worried about possible side effects. I've tried other medications for Fibro, and this has been the most useful so far. I'd say it gets rid of 30-40% of my Fibro-derived pain, and it helps immensely with mental fog, anxiety, and fatigue. Side effects include a bit of dizziness for the first hour or so after taking the pill and a very small amount of weight gain."

10 / 10
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67 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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