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Posted 1/27/2014 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I found Ocean in another thread - so here she is, ready to greet! ~ Debbie

Hello, I'm new today. I have been prescribed 100mg of Gabapentin 2x a day for Fibromyalgia (tho I havnt been officially diagnosed yet). My biggest COMINT is constant fatigue, back and shoulder/neck pain.
I took the Gabapentin last night and actually slept good. I took one this morning and it knocked me out. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this med and can tell me if it gets better. I don't want to be sleepy, that's my biggest frustration!!!

Posted 1/27/2014 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Ocean. Welcome to the forum!

Your complaints sound a lot like mine. I'm also on Gabapentin, have been for almost 2 years. I take 300 mg at noon, and 900 mg in the evening.

I was in so much pain (disc pieces lodged on my Sciatic Nerve) that I really didn't notice if it made me sleepy in the beginning - I was just glad it dulled the pain! But now I realize that yes, it does make me - not actually sleepy so much as zoned out. My doctor says that it's a trade-off.

I tried cutting down the later dose by 300 mg and my leg hurt so much I couldn't sleep...so I guess that's out for now.

If you haven't already, check out "Fibro 101," our first thread. It has a ton of great information in it. I hope you'll continue posting, because we are here for you! And we definitely "get it."

Debbie
Posted 1/27/2014 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Acheybody, It's reassuring knowing that someone actually does understand how I suffer because no one within my circle of family and most friends understand. I didn't take the Gabapentin last night and I'm not going to take it this morning until I talk to my doctor. I can hardly get out of bed as it is and the Gabapentin made it so much worse! I have anxiety/panic disorder, I take 60mg of cymbalta and .5mg of Klonopin a day, both are low doses but I hate taking meds, my mind is very resistant to them. I'm terrified of side effects because of a terrible experience I had with antidepressants last yr. I'm just scared, nervous and frustrated. I want to wake up, feel good and have energy throughout the day to live a normal life.
I have a 15yr old, 11yr old step daughter, 10yr old step son and 5yr old boy/girl twins. I don't have time to be tired and I'm losing the fight in me. I see a neurologist in a few wks and I hope she gives me some answers.
Posted 1/27/2014 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was taking 300 mg of Neurontin (gabapentin) daily, and yes, it sure made me sleepy and made it hard to focus!

I talked to my doctor, and instead of the 300 mg tablets, he gave me 100 mg tablets. I like it so much better--I can start on a lower dosage, so it doesn't take everything over! I usually now take 200 mg at a time, instead of 300 mg.  Once in a while, when things aren't bad but I still need something, I'll even just take 100 mg.

Maybe that's something you could discuss with your doctor, too.

  Best wishes and also welcome! :-)

Posted 1/27/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Ocean8, and welcome! I'm so glad you found us and joined in.

I don't take that medication. I use over the counter things and only one prescription med for fibro...a muscle relaxer. I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, the muscle relaxer, and vitamin D3 to help with the pain and fatigue of fibro.

I also do daily stretching exercises, I walk and/or swim daily, and I pace myself when doing things. You do need to keep moving with fibro or you will be stiff as a board and have more pain.

I see Debbie directed you to Fibro 101. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. You just might see yourself. There are links about the supplements I mentioned and how they work in the body, too.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine
Posted 1/27/2014 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ocean8,

Welcome. I don't have any suggestions about your medication, I don't take anything but over the counter stuff. I do take a product called "calm" before bed to help me sleep, works pretty good for me.

Hang in there.....
Posted 1/27/2014 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, thank you for all of your comments. It's reassuring to know that im not alone.
I had a fairly good day today, I spent a few hrs cleaning and lifting a bit so now I'm very sore in my back, legs and feet. I'm just happy tht the fatigue didnt take over my body today and I was actually able to do something. I hope everyone had a good day :)
Posted 1/28/2014 6:50 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum ocean 8! The meds can be tricky to take for fibro. So many of them give us side effects that they're unpleasant. I have tried to stay as natural as possible due to the side effects. I hope you can find some relief in your new med. I took that many years ago, but wasn't happy with it.

This is a great place to learn new ways to manage your fibro. Educating yourself with a good book and reading post frequently really helps with managing your fibro. It took some work, but I finally have mine fairly in good control. I hope we see you around the forum again.
Posted 1/28/2014 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ocean,

Welcome to the forum. I tried the neurontin and I couldn't tolerate it either.

I Hope you find what works for you soon.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/30/2014 8:27 AM (GMT 0)
Its 3:30 am and iv been up for an hr and I don't see myself falling asleep again anytime soon. I didn't nap yesterday, was out most of the day and went to sleep around 11:00pm so it's very frustrating that I'm awake right now and can't fall back to sleep!!
Posted 1/31/2014 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
I have just worked 6 days straight at the bushfire camps kitchen and my joints are so stiff and sore they wont even click, and they really need to! And my brain is all fuzzy today.
My GP reckons that the RD misdiagnosed me because I am too young to have fibro. I am 26 now and have been in pain for just over 10 years. It wasn't until I was 18 or 19 that I realised it wasn't normal, and finally got referred to a rheumatologist when I was 21.
I also have depression, anxiety, and I take Duloxetine for that. Meloxicam as an anti-inflammatory (usually at night). And magnesium tablets seem to help a lot too. Nexium for reflux. Multivitamins when I remember. And lots of animal therapy. My kitties are more than happy to just sit and purr with me. One in particular is my constant companion and he is always up for a snuggle and snooze.
I'm constantly achy....something is always hurting...but I don't usually pay attention to it. It is like a background static kind of thing. My partner knows that if I complain about something hurting, it is because it is really, really bothering me!
My partner and I want to have a baby in the next year or 2 and I worry about the fibro...whether my body and mind can handle the extra strain...especially when it is hard work just getting up and doing a little housework each day!
Posted 1/31/2014 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to all you'll newcomers !!

We here believe your pain, fatigue, etc. You can either use the 'search' feature or just ramble thru old posts & find lotsa info.
Although w/ family responsibilities I doubt you've a lot of extra time..

I too could not tolerate those meds.

Again, welcome.

And thank you Sidhe13 for your contributions to firefighting - I cringe at your pain from all that physical activity & stress - hope you can now get some rest !
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