Gabapentin for Pain User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

"I took gabapentin 100 mg dose for pain in my leg for seventeen days. During this time I only took it at night when the pain was worse. After about 11 days, I felt really strange. A couple of days later, I woke in the night, put a jacket on, and had the feeling I was going to jump in a nearby canal. Going outside in the cold air made me aware again. Since then, I have run up to a man thinking he was my dead husband and felt very depressed. I also take lamotrigine for the last six years as I had two unexplained seizures in 2013. Since coming off gabapentin, I have returned to normal."

• Sgw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2015

"I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict with chronic pancreatitis, so having the option to take a non-narcotic to manage chronic pain is critical for me. I have been relatively successful at managing the pancreatitis after its acute and vicious onset, which had me hospitalized and on a dilaudid drip for seven weeks. Now that after a year the pancreatitis has turned chronic, though I maintain a good diet and exercise often, pain management is crucial. However, it's pretty dangerous for me to be on narcotics, and it is most certainly not how I want to spend my life. The Gabapentin has truly made the biggest difference for me in both dealing with chronic pain and the anxiety I have about controlled substances. I am relieved and grateful."

• Apo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2018

"Been on gabapentin for over a year now for pain in my spine, but now I have trouble thinking or getting out simple words, and I cannot go out by myself because I get these fits of feeling like I am drunk, which makes me feel like I am going to wobble out into traffic. I also get this pressure on my head, like someone is pressing on it all the time. I also have been feeling really down a lot, which is not nice. My moods have changed a lot, and what I used to care about, I no longer care about. This is a horrible medicine, and I would advise anyone not to take it, but that is my opinion and my experience with this drug."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2019

"I tried gabapentin many years ago when a neurosurgeon put me on it for osteoarthritis in my cervical spine. It does NOTHING for me and seems not to have any effect on my insomnia, for that matter. Doctors have been prescribing this drug for many things now, but I think they’re actually relying on the placebo effect. Since then, I’ve been put on it again after cancer surgery - it still does not work and is just a waste of money. Are doctors so afraid of legislators and administrators that they turn a blind eye to a patient's pain and dole out this stuff."

• Aun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 10, 2016

"For 5 years, I had severe constant pain from arthritis around my right collarbone pressing on nerves. Along that journey, I had a nerve ablation done on my C3-C4-C5 vertebrae that helped with a pinched nerve there. I finally found a pain specialist who put me on Gabapentin and Nortriptyline (usually for depression). Gabapentin alone did nothing. He convinced me that the 25 mg Nortriptyline is a tiny dose but works great with the Gabapentin. He was right. Immediate relief. After surprise surgery for a perforated small intestine, I had to hold off on all prescriptions while in the hospital. Then I started experiencing lightning bolts of sciatic nerve pain down my right leg. EGAD. Back home, I restarted Gabapentin and Nortriptyline - sciatic pain all better. Wow!"

• KPe...
• February 22, 2012

"My doctor prescribed Gabapentin for spinal stenosis. I started on 300 mg the first week, then increased to 600 mg the second week. The first morning after taking the second pill, I awoke with extreme pain in my lower right leg. It increased to the point of needing crutches. I was sent for an MRI, two ultrasounds, x-rays and was scheduled for another MRI on my leg, when it dawned on me that it could be the Gabapentin. I quit the medicine and within a day or two the pain was gone. I realize I may be an exception to the rule for this medicine, but am providing this information in case it happens to someone else."

• You...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2012

"Dosage: 300mg 3 times a day. So far, this med seems to be very effective in reducing pain in my shoulder and arm, with few side effects. Although it makes me a little tired, I also seem to get good sleep while taking it. An MRI showed a bone spur on my 6th vertebra. A nerve test showed damage at the 5th vertebra. I'm currently scheduled for surgery -- the pain suddenly spiked and had me popping Vicodin all day. I started taking Gabapentin at that point. Over the next two weeks, I was able to phase out all Vicodin except one in the morning. (If I didn't take that one, it just kept barking all day until I gave in.) After two more weeks, I was able to stop taking the Vicodin entirely. I may now postpone the surgery and try physical therapy."

• Dou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2022

"I've been experiencing some pretty severe nerve pain in my ribcage resulting from a spine issue (still waiting for an MRI). My doctor prescribed 300 mg three times a day of gabapentin for the pain starting two weeks ago. I've had no effect from it whatsoever, and it's done absolutely nothing to help with the pain. I'm reading some reviews here claiming it takes up to two months to finally work! I can't wait that long. What kind of a doctor prescribes a pain medication that keeps the patient in pain for eight weeks before it finally takes effect???"

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2015

"Prescribed on Oct 5, threw it away on October 25. Experienced wild mood swings, crying, agitation, and an evening of suicidal thoughts when I realized it was the drug. It was a very bad drug for me. I would definitely consider these as possible serious side effects when taking this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2015

"I have found that Neurontin has helped with my sciatic pain. It was originally given for the pain in my legs from restless leg syndrome. But it has definitely helped with the bad pain I experience from an injury in my sciatica. It used to be almost unbearable. I do not want to take addictive pain medications again. They only work if you are taking them on a constant basis, and that is not good. With the Neurontin, I can take it in the morning and I get relief for most of the day."

• jes...
• September 16, 2009

Gabapentin "After the timing of using this medication is adjusted correctly (activation time for myself takes 2 hours for peak performance), it has helped allow me to sleep and to take away the pain caused by nerve damage. Though it was not meant for it, it has also helped with chronic back pain and pain in my hands. A fairly effective drug. Please understand that my use of this drug is not related to seizures, and so I cannot comment on its effectiveness in that particular field."

• Don...
• May 7, 2016

"I had ongoing pain in my right leg due to stenosis, a cyst on my spine, and a number of issues with my lower vertebrae. I first went to a chiropractor, but that didn't help. I had two injections at a pain clinic with very limited results. I went to a spine clinic, and the doctor prescribed gabapentin. I went from one 300 mg a day to three as prescribed. I have found much relief and have had some good nights of sleep after months of pain at night. I have not had the side effects described here except it took a couple of times to discover that my tolerance for alcohol is greatly reduced. That may not be a bad thing. I still have a lot of numbness and pain if I walk too far or stand too long, but at least I can sleep at night."

• CMG...
• December 1, 2016

"I spent almost three years dealing with unbearable tingling and burning around my shoulder blade until I just couldn't take it anymore. My GP prescribed me gabapentin in the hopes that it would put a stop to it, and it did. It took less than a week for me to feel total relief. I'm not saying it's a wonder drug that will work for everyone, but in my case, it's been a lifesaver."

• Rit...
• November 21, 2011

Gabapentin "I've been taking Neurontin now for 2 weeks, and it does help with the pain, but the side effects in my case are a hazy feeling, difficulty concentrating, feeling sleepy, and I've noticed I'm eating more. My doctor prescribed it together with Percocet for herniated discs, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteopenia, and a slew of other things. It does help, but I work as a secretary for a law firm, which means I have to greet everyone that walks in the front door. I cannot afford not to be alert, and this medication makes me feel like I don't want to or don't care to do anything. So what do I do? I need to take the medicines in order to be able to go to work, but when I get there, I don't want to do anything! Quite a dilemma!"

• kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2015

"I ruptured L5/S1 disc at work (I'm 58 years old). Nothing seemed to help with the pain until I asked about gabapentin and started taking 300 mg three times a day along with ibuprofen 600 mg. It does help a lot, but only when I combine it with ibuprofen. Without it, I really don't get relief. It does take some time for your body to adjust to it - I felt very foggy and drugged. I had trouble forming sentences for almost two weeks. It's a lot better now."

• Pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

"This garbage gabapentin works when it wants to. I have a wound on the back of my leg. I was given this for the nerve pain. Sometimes, it takes till the next dose for it to touch the pain. Right now, I’m not asleep because the pain is too much. They don’t want to give me real pain pills because everybody is obviously just a junkie looking for a fix. Their only answer is MORE GABAPENTIN. And Tylenol or Motrin, which have never worked for me."

• Wag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2013

"I've had 5 surgeries on lower back which causes nerve damage and pain and been this way since my first surgery in 1992 or 93 lose count. My Dr. suggested Gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day. Now I'm not steady on my feet, when walking, I have to hold on to things because of fear of falling. I can't function at the workplace. I have to be alert at all times. I have a lot of drowsiness and dizziness, and this medicine puts me to sleep at all hours. But on a high note, I'm drinking a lot of water, which is a good thing due to cotton mouth. I don't think this is for me."

• Leg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2016

"I jammed my hip about 6 weeks ago. It had been sore and hurting, but starting 10 days ago, the sciatic pain was running down my right leg constantly. I was taking Aleve and Advil. Heat did not help. Ice did not help. I could barely walk. I even had to take a day off work because I could not get into a comfortable position. My doctor gave me a steroid shot and it had no effect on the pain. I had taken gabapentin before when I had a pinched nerve in my neck from a car accident, and the pain was running down my arm. I called my doctor yesterday and asked him if he would call me some in. He did: 100 mg, 3 times per day. I can already tell a difference. The shooting, stabbing pain running down my leg through my foot has subsided."

• Pj1...
• August 26, 2016

"I have had chronic SI L5 pain and sciatica for 6 years. This has been a wonder drug for me, but I can only take it at night when I go to bed. It lets me have a good night's sleep. I cannot take it during the day, it wears me down and I am very groggy."

• Esk...
• August 5, 2016

"I have suffered from pain in both legs related to arthritis in my knees, ankles, and toes. My doctor prescribed gabapentin 300 mg (one capsule daily for one week; then twice daily and thereafter). I got immediate relief from the pain and discomfort. I felt some minor dizziness and sleepiness, but these effects were not lasting. I am keen to know if gabapentin will be permanently added to the list of medications."

• Get...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2022

"Gabapentin affects the CNS system and can cause dizziness. I am older and had dizziness on even a low dose. There was no pain relief whatsoever. I think Gabapentin is not effective for pain except for very few people. Now vets give it to pets, and they can't tell us if it is working. I don't think it is effective for dogs and is an excuse to not order opiates. The animals seem to be left in pain. There is little evidence Neurontin works for pain over the years."

• got...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2017

"Take it from me that has chronic pain for over 35 years and will try anything to get out of pain. My doctor gave me a prescription for gabapentin and wow, what a nightmare after years of taking it!! You will lose your memory!! Please take some advice, get off it as soon as you can. This will ruin your life or memory, that is for sure. Just remember you have been warned. It does not work for pain or nerves like they say!! It's a shame it took me so many years to get away from that junk!"

• Chr...
• February 22, 2017

"I've been on this for 2 months. Sometimes the pain in my legs is so bad I want to chop them off. Gabapentin does nothing. I started to have memory issues about a month ago and was never warned about it. Why can they just give me my one Percocet a day and I can go back to work, be pain-free and get my life back? This is awful."

• Lil...
• September 26, 2015

"I've been on gabapentin for several years, and it was originally for back pain. I had my L4/5 disc fused, then six years later had a spinal cord stimulator put in. Four surgeries later, I have had no relief at all. I've been on 300 mg three times a day, but recently my neurologist decided that I should actually take 600 mg three times a day because I've been suffering from migraines since age seven. The thing that I've noticed is that my memory is off. I will be in a drive-thru and have a list of items that I want off the menu, and as soon as they ask me what I want, I draw a blank and look at my son like 'HELP.' At first, I didn't think anything of it, but now it's becoming a habit. Why??"

• Mum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2019

"I have been suffering with chronic pain due to tendinitis in various joints in my body. I have rheumatoid arthritis (I’m 48). I have been taking co-codamol and naproxen. The flare-ups have been constant. I also take methotrexate. I started taking 100 mg of gabapentin once a day for three days, then one twice a day. The pain was gone after 3 days! I don’t think I need to be on 2 a day. The side effects for me are a little strange. Very bad, violent nightmares that feel so real, leaving me in tears and feeling off all day. Fatigue, sedation, foggy brain, and slurred speech, almost like being drunk but not in a good way. The side effects apparently lessen as you go on. I’m seeing my GP soon and will discuss dosage. If 100 mg works for me, then I’ll stick to that. Oh, headaches and a cardboard feeling in my mouth. The tiredness is overwhelming. I want it to work as I don’t want to be in pain anymore. Good luck, everyone."