Gabapentin for Neuropathic Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• joh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 11, 2015

"I have a nerve in my left foot that goes crazy at night. It doesn't bother me during the day. Without gabapentin, I would get practically no sleep. But, I have had to increase the dosage over time to get relief. I started five years ago at 900 mg a day. But, now it takes 4200 to 5400 mg a day to shut it down, but I only take it at night (between 6 pm and 3:00 AM). I can't take it during the day - makes me too tired. The main side effect that really bothers me is poor balance - you can walk 'right.' But, the podiatrist can't find the nerve. If she could find it, she could just go in and shut it down. That's where I'm at - as soon as she shuts that thing down, I'll get off these pills and get back to a normal life."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2017

"Medical issue: Protruding disk at C4 and C5 causing pain in the shoulder blade, pain (pinch) in front of the right armpit, numbness in bicep radiating to the thumb, index, and middle finger. Also, significant pain in the neck. Protruding disk at L5-S1 causing pain in the hamstring and burning in front of the shin (tibialis anterior). Dose started on 100 mg TID. No pain relief. Increased to 300 mg TID. No pain relief. Increased to 600 mg TID. No pain relief. Next increase is 800 mg TID, but will push back on the doctor as this medication is not working. Have been taking medication for 3 months. Was originally on Oxy-neo and later Hydromorphone, which worked, but no longer want to take opiates long-term and am looking for other solutions. Unfortunately, Gabapentin is not working."

• Voe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2018

"My doctor has prescribed gabapentin to me for my back pain, and it works very well. I also have RA in my hands and feet that is almost debilitating. I have found if I double the dosage from 400 mg to 800 mg 3 times a day, it greatly reduces my pain from my RA. I have asked my doctor if he would up my prescribed amount to 800 mg 3 times a day, and he says I am taking my maximum dosage now. I'm interested in seeing if anyone else is taking gabapentin for arthritis pain."

• Cra...
• October 19, 2015

"My nerve doctor prescribed this awful medication for me without knowing exactly what is wrong with me. I took 300 mg at night and woke up feeling tired, drowsy all day, headache, sore throat, and I didn't even have the energy to take a shower. The side effects are not worth it. I stopped taking it after 5 days. I would rather deal with my pain than take this medication. Do not take this drug. It is awful."

• SAM...
• December 1, 2017

"Tried Gabapentin 400 mg x 2 daily for my back pain. I have 18 pieces of metal in my lower back in my L3, L4, and L5. So far, my pain level has dropped from an 8 down to a 2. I haven't been this pain-free in years. It also helped me with my insomnia. I take it an hour before bedtime, and within an hour, I'm able to relax and calm down enough to sleep. This drug really works for me, I hope it helps you."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2017

"On 900 mg a day for neuropathy, has cut the pain down and helped my schizophrenia and rapid cycling bipolar drastically as a side effect! Much less anxious too. Really hopeful for the future. I also take tramadol 4x50 mg daily, but these only had a slight effect, no slurred speech or drowsiness so far. Get well soon everyone :-)"

• Jo1...
• June 9, 2016

"I had been having severe, migratory joint and muscle pain, along with horrific idiopathic itching. We tried everything (antihistamines, steroids, etc.) with no effect, finally trying gabapentin. It was like a miracle: the joint pain and terrible itching went away. However, I developed secondary pain-a deep, horrible ache in both thighs. It took me two months to even figure out that the pain in my legs was caused by the gabapentin (first of all, I suffer from RA, so pain is common; second, gabapentin is supposed to help with pain, not cause it, so this was confusing). I went off the gabapentin (note: always consult a physician and taper down!), and sure enough, the debilitating thigh pain that I'd been suffering so long went away."

• Ste...
• July 17, 2016

"Had surgery for Morton's neuroma in March 2013, which resulted in nerve pain in the left foot. Prescribed gabapentin with various other drugs over 2 years in order to achieve the right mix. This was a disaster. Side effects were intolerable and frightening. Eliminated the other drugs and am now (after a 2nd surgery in 2015) on only gabapentin, but at a ridiculous dosage of 4800 mg daily. This gives a tolerable level with the foot pain and numbness, but does nothing for any lower back or sciatic pain relief. I have the usual side effects of blurred vision, tiredness and drowsiness, and instant memory loss, which has become quite annoying. Started to reduce the dosage to a more sane level. Hoping for 1800 mg per day but doubt it. We'll see how it goes."

• Zoe...
• March 28, 2016

"Started to take gabapentin for nerve pain 3x100mg daily. Even this low dose gave me headaches and migraine. I increased my intake of water, and as the days went by, I was able to increase the dosage as suggested by my doctor, and the headaches ceased. The pharmacist did suggest that gabapentin can dehydrate, and dehydration can lead to headaches."

• Ske...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 10, 2021

"Been on gabapentin 600 mg 3x a day. At first it worked, my nerve pain was reduced. I had a spinal cord injury, and this no longer works. Either a higher dose or get off this. I think it's getting worse with this."

• Reb...
• September 5, 2019

"It is a complicated problem. Fibromyalgia, neuropathy, amputation of leg has been a nightmare. I am on gabapentin, Lyrica, Celebrex because of the various issues. Just started gabapentin and I noticed having stuttering and involuntary movement in all my muscles, hands fly off in different directions, my torso jerks, and a numbness occurs in my face. The pain in my legs is like very hot metal stabbing pain has stopped. Going to my primary doctor today to get answers."

• Ark...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2017

"I have been taking gabapentin 300 mg twice a day for 2 years, no side effects, although I am not a diabetic, I have neuropathy of my left heel due to a back problem. Everything is okay until recently I have been having the neuropathy coming back on my left heel. I have increased my dosage to 600 mg twice a day to see if this helps. It is not fun to have an electrical shock run through your heel every 90 seconds, 24 hours a day."

• Mla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2018

"I was prescribed gabapentin for neuropathy, MS related. I only take it at night, 300 mg. I have to say it worked well, and I sleep better than I have in years. My only complaint is it makes me dizzy - if I get up at night after taking it, e.g., to go to the restroom, etc., I almost fell down while trying to get to my destination. But that aside, my leg function is restored when I get up in the morning. That's my reason for taking it in the first place. Would recommend giving this a try if you experience neuropathy."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2019

"After hyperextending my neck, causing swelling and temporary nerve problems, I had surgery to relieve pressure from stenosis (narrow spinal canal) and arthritic spurs pressing on nerves. I am taking gabapentin 600 mg twice daily but cut myself back from 3 times daily. I can feel when it is time to take another dose. I have shooting pain in my arm and hand, as well as more trouble with finger dexterity. It has certainly been working for me for pain, but I wonder if I am less focused. I am heading back to work and need to be able to stay fully engaged in what I’m doing."

• nic...
• January 2, 2016

"At first, I was very lightheaded on a dose of 1800 mg a day. After several days, I leveled out. Now all I know is I cannot move a muscle in the morning until I have had my dosage with other painkillers too (tramadol). But it was the gabapentin that helped more. My consultant thinks we have to find the correct cocktail of drugs that will work individually for each of us with differing pain."

• jja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2015

"I was first placed on 100 mg gabapentin three times a day to help relieve nerve pain shooting down my arm due to the assumption that there was an issue in my neck. Once the C5/6 herniation was confirmed by an MRI, my neurologist increased this amount to 300 mg three times a day. I have noticed a great deal of decrease in the nerve pain but still feel about 30 percent, especially when it wears off due to dosing. I can also still feel a great deal of the muscle spasms through the gabapentin, and regular narcotics do not touch the residual pain. I was also placed on diazepam (Valium) to help with the nerve pain. It helps to some degree but not entirely."

• Plo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2021

"This is the worst medication I have ever had. It almost destroyed my marriage to the most wonderful wife I could ever imagine. It made me really confused, angry like I've never been in my life, up and down and all over the place. I just wanted to lock myself in a room and be by myself, which I've never done before. My wife and kids didn't know who I was anymore. Everything about it was awful, and I couldn't believe how much someone can change by a little pill. By the way, I got it from my Dr. for chronic back pain after my first back operation. I strongly believe this medication should be banned, and I can't believe it could ever help anyone with 24/7 pain."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2019

"Gabapentin was very helpful with neuropathy pain. I started with 200 mg and then eventually was up to 500 mg at night so that I was able to sleep. I then started with my feet swelling. My doctor then put me on Lyrica, which I've had many side effects. I feel very frustrated in trying to find the right medication."

• Reg...
• August 18, 2015

"I experienced severe back pain for more than 5 years, with some relief with Naproxen and chiropractic care. I finally retired because I could no longer cope with the pain. After going to a Sports and Spine practice, they finally diagnosed me with subcostal and intercostal nerve pain in my right rib cage and put me on gabapentin: 300 mg, 2 times a day. Within about 5 days, the pain was gone. It does make me tired, and I've gained a couple of pounds after being on it a month, but the benefits outweigh the side effects. It's been a miracle drug for me after suffering so long."

• Cha...
• February 2, 2017

"I was diagnosed with TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia), a debilitating pain disorder/disease. The pain started on the left side of my face, temple, then traveled down to my left eye, and the worst pain of all was the feeling of nerve pain throughout my gums and teeth. I wanted the dentist to remove them, but it wasn't a dental problem. I have 3 blood vessels from the brain laying on the Trigeminal Nerve, the pain was like nothing I've experienced. I literally could commit murder. I've been on these meds since the middle of December, and it took 2 weeks to finally kick in, and I couldn't be happier. Side effects work differently with everyone, I guess. I've heard horror stories. With me, it's a bit of drowsiness, thank goodness! Good luck, all."

• mot...
• September 10, 2015

"Gabapentin has significantly helped my pain due to neuropathy disorder. I take it for numbness of hands with shooting, severe pain during sleep, which wakes me 3 to 4 times a night. I must get up, wash hands with hot water, then use a heating pad till they settle enough to sleep again. It does not take all the symptoms away, but any relief is greatly appreciated."

• Lon...
• April 14, 2021

"This is very effective on my chronic nerve pain. I would love to continue taking this, but I had some side effects that became increasingly troubling. The sleepiness was tolerable, but I couldn’t handle the short-term memory loss. I’m generally very well organized. At first, I hoped that my memory issues would resolve themselves once my body adjusted to the dosage, however, I experienced the complete opposite. The recall became more and more sketchy until I had no choice but to cease the Rx. My doctor weaned me off of the meds to confirm that it’s actually the cause of my recent issues. I’m going for a follow-up appointment in 2 days, but I can say with certainty that I feel as if a fog has lifted. I was also experiencing sharp acute pains in my head. Very painful, but fortunately, very brief. They’d only last a few minutes and disappear as suddenly as they’d come."

• Son...
• October 11, 2016

"I have tried gabapentin several times to make sure it was the culprit. I have horrible nerve damage caused by a wreck. I am in pain and numb always. Well, I've had several bouts with my gallbladder while taking the med. It makes the nerve pain much better, but I can't eat, I vomit profusely, my whole abdomen is sore, I have heartburn that won't go away, I have more gas than Iran, and it's like liquid acid coming out the tailpipe. For me, this medication is a bust, but clearly others have had better results."

• Sne...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2018

"Developed severe pain in both feet. I walk every day 3-5 miles. Almost had to give it up, my feet hurt so bad. This drug took a couple of weeks to start working, but it slowly moved from heels to arch to ball of feet. It’s been about 3 weeks now, and it has removed well over half the pain! Still some when I walk, but it stops soon after. I do have a super dry mouth, though! Horrible dry mouth! Got some Biotene that sprays in mouth, it helps a bit."

• Cat...
• August 12, 2017

"I recently switched pharmacy brands and have noticed I am EXTREMELY tired all the time from taking this new generic. It is from mail-order Humana and mfr Glenmark Generics. It is so bad to the point that I cannot even function. I am at a loss for explaining this. My life is now total despair."