anyone taking Gabapentin?

[carola82047]

My Dr. gave me this drug for pins & needles feeling in my legs & feet.  I am afraid to take it because it has so many side affects.  Anybody out there having any side affects?

[calamfred]

:-) I try to keep my sense of humor...as I would drive myself loonier than I already am if I didn't find humor in my ahem,  "quirks". Sometimes others will say people are weird, I prefer to think of us humans as unique.
I truly hope the med does help you, if/when you give it a try. And for all my pill phobias, I know I can't know if a med will help me if I don't try it. The Neurontin really has helped my hubby' s RLS, some nights his poor legs "cycle thru" every 20-30 seconds..it has cut way down on that. He sleeps so much better now..thankfully, as we all know fatigue/stress makes everything worse.
Take care,
C

[marylou63]

I have been taken a moderate dose and haven't had any bad side effects apart from feeling really sleepy. However the difference it has made to lessen my pins and needles and stopping the spasms in my lumbar region has been immense. Good luck :o)

[maxthecat43]

The only side effects I've ever had (and at a pretty high dose) was difficulty thinking.

[PastorDan]

Forgot to mention this, but you should read our Health Page on dealing with neuropathic pain.  (Reading via phone most of the time lately, so I can't send link, or I'd be happy to try.)

[Llexi]

I started Gabapentin after being taken off Topamax because I was experiencing every known side effect. I was placed on the Gabapentin because of the pins and needles in my hands and feet as well as to help control my horrible migraines I was experiencing. I have not had any side effects thus far. I am on 300 mg 3x a day. I take one in the morning and 2 at night. I find it helps me sleep better this way as well. I do notice if I do not take them at the same time each day I am out of whack. If I take my night time dose too late I find it very hard to wake up in the morning. Other than those issues, I am very happy with it. The pins and needles has almost disappeared although I still get them occasionally but not to the extent of before. I suggest trying it, I too am one of those people that experience side effects with every medication I take, This is the first one where I have had little to none.

[carola82047]

Gosh, you're funny.  Thank goodness I am not the only one being skittish about new medicine. I can definitely relate to you. I am supposed  to take two 100mg at night. May just take one (someday, ha.). One guy compared it to "Nightmare on Elm St.".  I know everyone reacts differently, but I have the major chicken gene.

[calamfred]

That's why I put in my above post I am an admitted "pill phobe"...and that I finally had to realize that everything can have a side effect...I try very hard not to look up side effects..but I admit if a pill can be halved safely (my Drs all know, and I triple check, too) I will do that 1st for a bit. My Drs actually call me "The Nibbler"..lol. I also once said I wish there was a pill to take that would make me less scared of meds. My Dr quickly quipped, "You wouldn't take the pill if there was one!". We both laughed...
C

[carola82047]

Your comment was a positive one. You're right about not reading the side effects. It will make you crazy, at least it does me. Usually medicines don't work on me for some reason. Still on the fence on whether to try it. My Neuro just rolls his eyes at me jokingly when he prescribes something new for me. I know down deep I should at least try it.
Thanks for your feedback.

[carola82047]

Yes. I have Primary/Progressive MS. DX in 2009. My walking is my biggest problem. I can tell this past year it has gotten worse. I use a rollator walker.
The tingling in legs happens at night. I think would rather just deal with it than take the Gabapentin. I am still on the fence about it.
Thanks for your response.

[HVAC]

I would try it and if it does not work there are other drugs. All of them have side effects. The trick is finding the drug that works for you. There is also Lyric and Trileptal. I did better on Trileptal.
                                          Alex

[PastorDan]

I think I began with something like 100 mg, 3x/day; now on 8x that much after 4+ years.  Mine's for pain on back side of eyeballs, and it works nearly all the time nowadays.

Truthfully, however, I am on so much other stuff nowadays, I don't know for certain which pill is doing what.  Pretty sure about this, but not certain.

My advice is to start very slowly, and step up very slowly.  Sudden changes with gabapentin are not good, i.e., side effects, especially sleepiness/fatigue.

Best wishes.

[SarahL2491]

I started with 300mg 3 times a day and was bumped up to 600 mg 3 times a day and am doing fine on it.  Forgot to add that………..off now, gotta go catch that bus…..

[kwarendorf]

Hi Carola,

Until a month ago I was taking gabapentin for neuropathic foot pain. I started at the low end of the dosage scale and worked my way up to the maximum, 1200mg 3X/day. I did not experience any side effects.

All by itself, the gabapentin did not relieve the pain. So we added Elavil (amitriptilyne) to the mox and the pain went away. I was pain free for about a year and then it returned about 6 weeks ago. I've weened off the gabapentin and added Lyrica to the cocktail. Schools still out...

I try not to read the side effects profile of drugs. If I have side effects from a medication, I'll know :-) In the mean time I do not want to miss the benefit of a med for fear of something that may never happen. I'm lucky, in that I tolerate meds very well.

Kyle

[bagheesmom]

  I don't have a confirmed diagnosis of MS yet, I'm still probable, anyhow to your question
  I take Gabapentim and was worried to start because I always have side effects or allergic reactions. I take it 3 times a day, very slowly titrated up to my dosage. I find when I make an increase it causes drowsiness and dizziness in me. Usually lasts about 3 days. It has worked well for me.
  Talk to your dr about your concerns and good luck

[calamfred]

Agree with Sarah. My husband takes it, at bedtime. It has helped tone down his RLS, and he does sleep much better. He is only on the smallest dose. Neuro did say he usually starts people on lower dose, and as body adjusts, can up it if needed. And, if needed, many people take it throughout the day. From what I gather, some of the side effects ease off..like the sleepiness.
I am an admitted "pill phobe". I finally have had to realize everything has side effects...OTC pills, "natural treatments", etc. I think we all know our own bodies best, and you just discuss everything with your Dr, and do what you both decide is best. Pharmacists can be a great source of info, too.
Take care,
C

[SarahL2491]

It will give you some at first, until your body gets used to it.  It is different for each of us, it took me about a month, but has helped with the pain.  

Are you Dx with MS?  Just asking

Welcome to our little corner