Gabapentin anyone?

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I was prescribed Gabapentin for a pinched nerve in my neck and shoulders. To be honest, it didn't appear to do anything to ease the pain or condition, even when my GP doubled the dose. I took it for several months and then had to slowly ease myself off them, before stopping completely. I'm sure they would help some people, but not me unfortunately.

paddy we've previously discussed our daughters' fibro problems and at the moment I'm more optimistic.
After assessment this week she will be attending a 3week pain management course which she's sure will help.
With great determination she has cut out all the opiate-based drugs (but still uses lyrica). The fog still comes and goes but generally she's significantly better at the moment.
Will pm you soon.

I was on Gabapentin for a considerable time after I fractured my spine and was in constant pain. However, it didn't have much effect I'm afraid. I did manage to get off it without much difficulty. I was working at the time and it did not as far as I know affect my cognitive ability.
Like Cornergran, the breakthrough came when I was referred to a specialist pain clinic.

I think it's likely the brain fog is a symptom of fibromyalgia rather than a side effect of medication, paddyann. I have had fibro for 27 years and have never found brain fog is particularly linked to medication but in fairness I have never taken Gabapentin. I find lack of sleep, lack of attention to nutrition, stress and over exertion are the main triggers for increased brain fog which on some level is always part of every day life. It's debilitating and I hope your daughter is able to find specialist intervention. I have found the most helpful intervention for me has come from a knowledgeable GP, referral to a specialist pain clinic and also homeopathy which I know the NHS now disapproves of. It's certainly worth searching for an understanding specialist for a proper review.

I'm fairly sure my daughter has this for fibromyalgia ,however she's been on ..and off several different things and her GP says she has been overmedicated so we 're looking at a private clinic that specialises in Fibro in the hope they can get her off some of the stuff her GP has prescribed .Ideally I'd like her taken off everything and start again...but her GP says that wont happen.Is this the one that causes brain fog?

Thanks folks. It is always worth trying other GNrs for something like this.
I have just been put on it for long term facet joint back pain problems .
(I had it about four years ago when the tendons in my arms were frayed by bony shoulder spurs.

I am now on day two of 100 (whatever units.)
last night I had some most bizarre dreams which were exceptionally odd but not totally scary. Hopefully that will reduce after a week or so. As it is, all drugs affect people differently. My GP says he will see me again in a month.

This pain has been bulding up for years and was dreadful while I was away last week so much twinging when I walked.
I took one co-codamol and one paracetamol. I really don't like the hung over effect after I have taken an opiate pain killer.
"and in that sleep what dreams may come" (Thanks to Will)

I used to suffer from migraine headaches. I realised that it was the position of my head in bed. I only ever sleep with one pillow, and the feather or hollow fibre pillows are too soft. I bought a buckwheat filled pillow. I haven't had a headache since.

Ignorance is bliss!

Oh dear! Wish I hadn't looked up side effects of this drug after seeing this post. It has been a wonder drug for my mother who at 91 lives on her own and is in extreme, constant pain with debilitating arthritis despite having hip replacement last year. She takes morphine, but has had terrible spasms which gabapentin has mainly relieved. She has had a few falls recently and some other symptoms which I see may be drug related, but realistically I don't suppose her increasing problems can all be due to side effects, Her choice is really to suffer or risk drug effects. I don't think I will tell her.

Gaberpentin works on your central nervous system, that's why it's an anti seizure drug.
Lyrica/ Pregabalin is a newer version which is more expensive and the NHS moan about prescribing although it has less side effects and is lower doseage. They certainly can have nasty side effects....If I had the choice , which I don't because I have extremely painful sensory neuropathy I would never go near these drugs.

I'm sure you could!

Not sure about the sedating effect ...

Grannyknot, I have just read the Guardian article and am confused. The drug does have a sedating effect on me but I don't take any depressants.

It certainly helps my nerve pain and at my low-dosage I hope I'll be OK.........! (According to the article, I could obviously make my fortune by selling some to prisoners!).

It's a popular drug for misuse with the biggest problem in the UK being in prisons, where a doctor friend tells me people present with the most accurate descriptions of neuropathic pain symptoms ...

www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/15/upsurge-prescription-drug-abuse-uk-pregabalin-gabapentin

It is basically an anti-seizure drug for people with epilepsy. Sometimes it is used for nerve pain or migraine prevention.

But what is in it? Gabapentin is just its name. What is it composed of? Against anxiety? maybe contains Valium, that needs tailing off.

I was prescribed gabapentin following my third spinal surgery, I was in my 12 week recovery period, not able to get around much, not able to do anything around the house, apart from creep! I built up the dosage gradually as advised, after a few weeks I realised I wasn't functioning, my husband would come home to check on me and I'd be sat in the same position as when he left, I don't know where the time went. It took over my life completely I was totally spaced out, I was living in a total haze and hadn't realised. Very scary! It took weeks with my GP's help to wean myself off the drug.

Luckygirl, I take Pregabalin (similar to Gabapentin) for residue pain after spinal surgery.

I am unsure if you have actually started this drug or not but if you are unsure my experience may help.

I became almost comatose because of the sedating effect of the drug so rang my GP and asked if I could try reducing it. The reply was, yes, slowly, to a level that you are comfortable with, so I gradually reduced the dose from three, to one a day which gives enough relief to me.

However, if I take this drug late in the evening, I wake the following morning with a stonking headache/tight band around my forehead and it takes a couple of hours until it disappears.

I have now learnt to juggle the timing of this pill so that I can stay awake after taking it (as it makes me sleepy approximately two to three hours later and sometimes I still want to be up late in the evening) and wake better the next morning. It's all in the timing.

Can ask your GP if it is appropriate for you to reduce the dose (and time it so you can have a good evening and wake without feeling hungover the next morning)? You could still have the pain relief you need without unwanted side effects. The drug itself seems very beneficial.

I hope you feel better soon.

I was prescribed Gabapentin 2 years ago after a scan and biopsy ruled out arterial arteritis. I tolerated it for approx 3 months but the side effects were impacting to greatly on my quality of life. I was walking around like a zombie and the dizziness was making me feel nauseous.

I ended up managing on prescription pain killers. All fine now.

You may be absolutely fine as everyone reacts differently. If they don't agree with you I would think your GP will prescribe another drug. Good luck, hope they work for you.

BluBelle,that is interesting about staying at your daughters, because normally stay about once a week,although I drink wine at home,I drink a lot more when I go there.
I also eat a lot more, as I try to watch my diet at home.I also have a pancake pillow!
I will try with one pillow tonight.

I had similar waking up headaches for about a year, having thought migraines gone for good with menopause. Since having Shiatsu treatment for my back , the headaches have gone.

I have beeen taking Gabapentin for about 6 years, first for peripheral nerve pain, but now also for newly diagnosed epilepsy. I am pleased to say that it has caused me no ill side effects and seems to work as it should! So give it a go

Thanks for all your feedback on this. I am still undecided as to what to do, as I know that my response to drugs tends to be OTT, so I need to tread carefully as I do not want to make the situation worse than it already is. I may start on the tiniest bit and see what happens.