i was on lyrica. Worked great but too costly. Switched to gabapentin 300 3x daily 4 days ago. Flu like symptoms... Body aches but legs and joints so achy and small stabbing pains all over. How long does this last?
View 3 RepliesI have only been on Gabapentin for 6 wks. 100 mg. 1 x day. Do I need to taper off. From what I read, I don't want to continue or increase it. I have essential tremors and they have been a lot worse. Also, I have extreme fatigue.
My wife has had migraines every day since January 2014. The last 9 months have been very difficult. We have tried many types of medication/treatments.
Currently she is trying Gabapentin (600mg per day).
Does anybody know how long it can take for Gabapentin to have an effect?
Is it possible for Gabapentin to make migraines worse?
I have been on Gabapentin on and off for about 7 months (since approx January). I was taking it for chronic pelvic pain, and it worked well, but it made me very emotional and made higher cognitive functions difficult. After 4 months of semi-regular use, I got off it quickly, but kept it around in case of a severe pain flare up. As of now I have gone through 2 "100 capsule" bottles of 100mg pills, so not too much. Never took a higher dosage then 300 mg and never took more than 300 mg in one day.
I've used it a few times recently (in July, just a few weeks ago) when the pain really flared up, thinking it would only have minimal side effects, but it has resulted in continual severe depression and dark thoughts even though I haven't taken any in two weeks. I took it occasionally because I thought the depression was predominantly from the chronic pain, but now I realize the gabapentin was the root of it. I'm terrified because I know the drug has long since left my system but I can't shake the side effects. Doctors and psychologists won't listen to me. They say I'm just depressed and it isn't the medication, but I'm positive it is. The pain is finally improving, I'm going back to school, and things are looking up. But there is this unshakable aurora that is plaguing me. No matter how hard I distract myself and push through there's this cloud that impairs my ability to emotionally and physical function (feelings of detachment, separation, depression, and some suicidal thoughts). Words come slower, it's harder to focus, memory is very dull. I wasn't concerned within the first few days, but it's been a few weeks now and I'm alarmed that it doesn't seem to be improving.
Do the side effects ever go away... How long does it take and what can catalyze the healing process? Is it possible to incur permanent damage from a low dosage, or does it take months to heal. Can anyone explain the biomechanics behind how gabapentin can affect patients weeks after usage.
My husband has been suffering with unbearable headaches for 15 years. Over the last few months they have become so much worse to the point that he is in a ball, crying in pain, he can't see, can't walk, he was ranting during one attack that he was going to take all of the tablets he could find. He has no memory of saying these things when the headache has eased. He tells me the headache is there constantly but gets worse really quickly. He usually wakes up with the headache although they sometimes come on during the day. They are usually at the sides of his head above his eyes but swaps sides and sometimes goes down his neck. He gets them everyday for a week then has a few days to a week then they start again. He has had a number of GPs all of which have said he doesn't need to be referred to a specialist it is migraines as if it was anything 'serious' we'd have known by now ie nOt a brain tumour. He has had many preventative medicines but none have helped. His latest GP has prescribed gabapentin which was prior to his last and worst attack so far. When we explained what happened she merely raised the dosage and gave imigran for pain relief. I just wondered if anyone has been prescribed gabapentin long term for migraines and if there are any long term side effects as I've heard there are a number namely vitamin B 12 deficiency, pulmonary problems, long and short term memory loss.
View 29 RepliesI went to the Dr. For my annual pap and std culture. My results came back and it said I have gonorrhea. I have never had any symptoms such as discharge, pain or burning. I know some diseases are asymptomatic but I was told gonorrhea takes effect within days or weeks. I was in shock and crying and confused. I got treated for this diseases and have not had sex with my boyfriend till this day. We been dating for three months and still he never had any symptoms. I went back to Dr to get retested and my Dr called n he said I still have gonorrhea. How is it possible when I took all precautions and have not had sex and still no symptoms? I know gonorrhea can later turn into something worse (PID). I'm so confused. I know it's a stupid question but I'm black n my boyfriend is white is it a chemical imbalance? Did he cheat on me? Was I misdiagnosed. I have to go back n get retreated.
View 1 RepliesIf a patient has long term generalized edema (pitting in the legs), what are the other possible diagnostic alternatives, after heart, kidney, liver and protein abnormalities have been ruled out? I've been struggling with this edema nonsense for several years, unremitting, and yet my docs are stumped when it come to diagnosis. I also have some GI motility and hormone stuff happening but they claim there's no connection between the two, although I do tend to get rid of excess fluid (through urination), on the rare occasions when my GI system seems to be functioning correctly
I'm 45 yr old male, no diabetes, thyroid usually normal range but flagged as mildly hyper at on few occasions, and low BP. I was very thin prior to the fluid retention, which averages between 20-30 pounds, by my estimation. I was also otherwise very healthy and active prior to these symptoms, but since becoming ill, I am often very fatigued and sleepy most days.
I admit I have had multiple Anxiety attacks, I am a cashier at Walmart, I usually get them if I had rude customer like after I had a nasty customer who came down from self-check to customer service towards me, I was in tears before that, then my manager told me to hide behind the Customer Service desk. My worst anxiety attack I had a lady who's coupons would not work, I took the coupon price off the items she could not understand that and told me to take the items off period and demanded I give the coupons back to her, I already did. My brain got foggy so I asked her if she wanted me to take the items off, she said yes so I kept doing it, suddenly I wasn't feeling to well, I went to go see my manager to ask for help when I started hyperventilating, my manager had me sit down right there at the empty register. Another cashier was able to take over and finish it for me. My manager helped me over to the bench at customer service, where I suddenly lost feeling in my hands, they ended up curling up from the pinky in. I tried prying them apart using the metal bench but that didn't even work. That scared me, the same manager asked if I was okay I told her that I couldn't feel my hands, staring down at my fists. They finally unfroze after 10 minutes. The lady was so upset with me she left all of her items.
Anyway I will get dizzy, like it ranges from feeling as though I am spinning, I have to clutch on to something to keep from falling over, to the world tipping around me with every step, to not being able to see, not sure if that's exactly dizziness, but it started with dizziness. I'll get flushed randomly. I'll have PAC's. There have been a few times I have almost fainted, one time it was from not breathing, like I noticed that I wasn't breathing, my body was just like woah what's the matter you aren't breathing, I had to have a manager finish while I sat down. I was up and doing my job before I was supposed to so I did not feel well the rest of the day. My arms will also get exhausted suddenly if I have to lift them to head level, like I can barely do a pony tail without them being exhausted, the kinda feeling you get after a hard work out.
I've had the flushing and dizziness when I was talking to my mom and hanging out with my friends. My friends all know and are really accepting if they need to stop doing whatever so I can sit down.
My doctor originally thought it was POTS if anyone knows what that is, I'm getting a tilt table test in 2 weeks, now he seems to think it's anxiety. I'm sitting down while working just in case, it does seem to help slightly. It's just annoying, this has been going on for 3 months and I'm sitting down because of the time I have almost fainted also. Anyway people will say you're lucky you get to sit down, I don't consider everything and almost fainting lucky.
I'm not sure if it is anxiety since it is just physical symptoms, I've had no mental or emotional ones. Just feels like mental ones from fear of my physical ones.
I've done a stress echo and a holter monitor and blood work done.
I have been on 1200 mil a day for 3 mos. my pain has gotten better and I an thinking about getting off of gabapentin . I am not going to stop a once. I will gradually get off. Is it any side effects I can expect from stopping the drug?
View 3 RepliesI am now on my third rheumatologist who now tells me that the painkillers I take - oxycontin, co-codamol and oxynorm all of which are opiate painkillers are obviously not working -give the man a star - he has said that gabapentin may work has anyone used this for arthritis before.
View 2 RepliesDr. Just started me on Gabapentin. I'm taking it for anxiety. I'm very sensitive to meds so he started me on 100 mg 3x day. Depending on how I feel, he will up dosage in 2 wks. Will I feel anything on this low dose?
View 6 RepliesWas on Gabapentin for a year and worked up to 3200 mgs a day. Was taking it for Osteo Arthritis in feet and knees. Didn't do much for pain so decided to get off of it. My Dr said to take 1600 mgs for 5 days the drop to 800 mgs for 5 days! This was 3 weeks ago still fighting withdrawal. It's eased up some but still have some anxiety and like pressure in my chest. Almost makes me feel short winded at times. Has anyone else had this and how long will the withdrawal last? Have heard the longer you was on it the longer it takes. Tired of it just want to feel normal again.
View 13 RepliesHas anyone else had this experience? I started out on a low dose and had great results. Now I am up to 1,800mg/day and it doesn't seem to be having much effect. I am actually ok if I am not doing anything, but as soon as I use my foot, it gets so hot I could probably fry an egg on it!
My story: was in a car/bike accident and ended up with the car parked on my foot. Broke all my metatarsals in multiple places, but things were not that bad until...SURGERY. After finally starting weight bearing I found I couldn't really feel my foot, but it worked. Then I had oral surgery and my world exploded. Insane nerve pain in my face and jaw which then transferred to my foot. Anyone else here with CRPS?
Oh yes, and shooting pains up and down my thigh and calf whenever I stand or walk.
Thanks to anyone who responds. Especially interested in those who found the gabapentin working at first and then not and those who are suffering from CRPS.
I'm 17 years old and have had tmj for the last 3 years. i first was given numerous night splints to see if that would work,they didn't. Next i was referred to a specialist who gave me a night splint which still didn't work. From here i had xrays and then had an mri.
Right side:
There is an anteriorly displaced but intact meniscus, which mostly overlies the articular tubercle. There is thickening of the retrodiscal lamina tissue. The intercondylar head lies within the condylar fossa with a slight deformity to the articular surface. No fluid or inflammation is present in the residual joint space but there is absolutely no anterior translation when the mouth is open. the adjacent soft tissue of the lateral pterygoid, externally auditory canal, parotid and deeper face are normal.
left side:
The left condylar head is normal in morphology. The meniscus is probably normally located although it is quite anteriorly displaced extending on to the articular tubercle with only a small portion overlying the condylar head from 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock. No fluid or inflammation is present within the joint space of note with a small amount of fluid on either side of the intact meniscus more anteriorly. No oedema or erosions are present within the condylar head. The soft tissues adjacent to the joint are unremarkable.
Conclusion:
There is complete anterior displacement of the meniscus on the right which is intact. it now sits on top of the superior boarder of the lateral pterygoid muscle and overlies the articular tubercle. No current inflammation is seen within the temporomandibular joint, erosion's or bone oedema. however on both sides there is no translation during attempted mouth opening.
From here i had an arthrocentesis where he put a cortisone injection in. This also didn't work. From here he put me on amitriptyline for 2 months but that didn't help so we stopped it. 3 months ago I had surgery on my right tmj. My specialist removed the disc, reshaped the bone, and put a fat graft where the disk should be. This also hasn't helped, I am still in constant pain, m jaw locks up, migraines nerve problems and other symptoms. Because of the pain i have only attended 36% of school this year. It's my last year but i am keeping up. Because of tmj i have to stay home next year and study through distance learning for university. My specialist has applied for permission to put me on gabapentin to see if it will keep the pain at bay.
I've read some of you responses concerning RA & Gabapentin usage. I have been taking Gabapentin since 2000 for various pains throughout my entire body. I have recently been diagnosed with RA, but doctors will not put me on the required meds because I have COPD & Polycythemia which I am continuing to aggravate because of my smoking addiction. For the past month, I have had excruciating pain in my hip that radiates to my lower back and throughout my right buttocks. The pain is so bad, I have had to begin using a cane. I have no insurance. I have increased my dosage of gabapentin (which has been OK'd throughout the years by my DR's) to try and reach a comfort level of reduced pain. I counter the drowsiness by drinking more coffee to get through my workday. I obtain "pain-free" periods with the increased Gabapentin usage, but I also seem overly energetic or "excitable" during those pain free periods. (reminds me how I used to "feel" before the pain began so long ago . .about 15 yrs already). I'm a 55yo man, have many other health issues as well, including deep depression & PTSD. Because of insurance, I'm only purchasing the Gabapentin and have also started using Turmeric to TRY to help with all the other issues. The Turmeric seems to help, so far. Is there any problem you can see with the increased usage of Gabapentin to become "pain-free" and the mood change during those pain free periods? I cannot afford numerous DR visits w/o Insurance and have to earn a paycheck.
View 1 RepliesI have been taking 100mg x 3 per day for nerve pain and it seems to be working but noticed i have lost appetite been on this medication for around 2 months
View 6 RepliesI am just coming off of Amitriptyline 50mg which I have been taking for 5 years nightly for hormonal migraine. I have a prescription for 300mg of Gabapentin and wondered what experience others have had with Gabapentin. Did it help? Have you put on weight with it? Does it make you fatigued or drowsy? would love to hear your experiences.
View 11 RepliesI have been recently told that the law has changed regarding Gabapentin and that I should not drive whilst taking it as insurance companies are nullifying policies for those involved in an accident whilst being prescribed Gabapentin.
I'm told Gabapentin has recently been reclassified along with others similar drugs that may cause drowsiness or affect eyesight, Tramadol, and Amitriptyline to name but two.
Can anyone confirm these changes as driving my motorhome around the UK and Europe is the only pleasure I have left.
For two years I have been suffering with a burning pain on the top of my head that has been pretty much relentless. I have had an MR I and a CT scan which haven't showed anything. I have also had an MRI of my neck which showed that I have a disc bulge at C5 to C6 but again this is apparently isn't causing the pain.
I eventually got referred to the headache clinic who told me this sounded like allodynia and recommended I start gabapentin. This was two months ago and I have worked my way up from 300 mg a day to 1800 mg a day. It has done absolutely nothing but since last week I have had a proper headache not just the burning that I cannot get rid of. I have had four days off work now because I just feel like I wouldn't be able to function. My consultant is away and the secretary recommended that I just go down to a lower dose of the gabapentin so I am now on 1200 mg but the headache is persisting. It varies between a burning pain and I squeezing pain and moves from the back, to the top and forehead.
I went to see my GP who didn't really seem interested and gave me naproxen which hasn't done anything.
First of all I would like to know if anyone has suffered with allodynia on their head and how they treated it secondly has anyone tried gabapentin and feels like I do and thirdly can anyone give me some advice because I am going crazy!
Is anyone taking gabapentin and citalopram together cpn is stopping my diazepam 2 mg to put me on gabapentin as she thinks I should still stick to my 30mg of citalopram even tho I'm getting terrible anxiety.
View 2 RepliesWas on 600mg Gabapentin 3 times a day for peripheral neuropathy to little effect. Was prescribed Amitriptyline, took 25mg for 3 days then 50mg for 5 days - replacing the 2 Gabapentin at night. Reduced Amitriptyline to 25mg after awful side effects. Took for 2 days with 300mg at night (in addition to the 600mg in morning and new GP said stop Amitriptyline and increase morning dose to 900 mg. Was OK for a while, but then feet and lower legs started severe pins and needles, difficult to walk. Disturbed sleep last night and feet and legs still bad. Is this withdrawal from Amitriptyline? How long will it last? GP rang and said gradually increase Gabapentin to 900 mg 3 times a day and if necessary go to 1200 mg 3 times a day. Any suggestions? Will this gradually get better?
View 3 Replies