Gabapentin?

I had a similar situation and did go on Gabapentin. I found that I had to gradually increase the dose so it took about 2 weeks for it to take full effect. It certainly worked. But I quit it due to the side effects. It made me feel very fuzzy headed, couldn’t concentrate, had fluid retention in my hands and feet and gained over 15 lbs. It is not good for everyone but you need to try it and see how it reacts for you. We are all different and respond differently to the same drug. There is also Lyrica that many people here take. Perhaps they can give you some feedback.

Goos luck and keep us posted on how this goes for you.

I have had that drug for years. It started Neurontin and the Generic is Gabapentin. I think that is where I have problems with the Generic. It made my head feel funny. The Neurontin name brand did not effect me as bad as the Gabapentin. I too gained weight with it and had the funny head feeling. Supposed to be the same drug but generic. But I think it’s made of differet chemicals. It is a good drug and taking it at bedtime really helps me sleep. But I wake up feeling weird in the head with it too. Alot of people like this drug though and it works for many. ME! I’m hard to please! 😀

Christie

I take Gabapentin as well. Without it I wouldn’t be able to function!
It takes a couple of weeks to build up in your system, it is one of those drugs that you take long term not one that you take when you feel pain.

I have not had any side effects so I am sticking with it for now.

For pain at night try a hot pack or a heating pad.

Rhonda from Canada

i take it as well it has kept me from taking as many pain killers it has really helped me

I have taken gabapentin for 6 years now, mostly at the level of 1800 mg daily. I have not tried Lyrica because I believe it to be basically the same as Neurontin, only a lot more expensive, as it has not been out long enough to go generic. Without Gabapentin, I could never walkor even function as the pain in my feet would be unbearable. BTW I had no problem switching to the generic form when it came out.
Pam

My husband has been on gabapentin for 3 years now. He like the other people stated cannot function without it. He takes 2400 mg a day. Four 600 mg pills. He takes one in the morning lunch dinner and at bedtime. In addition he also takes tramadol to help with sharp shooting pains.Together they control his pain very well.

I have taken Neurontin, then gabapentin generic for 8 years-the dosage has been increased over the years and I now take 5400mg. a day. Dr told me I would be on it for the rest of my life. Lyrica is a newer kind of neurontin. Gabapentin helps some, lyrica helps others.

As I said, gabapentin worked for me but I just can’t tolerate the side effects. I had to go back on it for shingles 10 days ago and I am swollen up like a balloon. My hands and feet are awful. I have stopped taking it because I know fluid retention is not healthy either. I am tolerating the pain at this point but not sure that I can continue long term. Summer is good for me because I can go barefoot most of the time and the pain is significantly less if I don’t have to wear shoes. Others here have said the same thing…that they have only one or two pairs of shoes they can wear comfortably.

You should try it though as so many people do not have the side effects. It seems to help more people than it doesn’t.