Gabapentin?

Anyone take this? I've had a big bottle of it sitting on my counter for ages but was too scared to take it. Finally took it this weekend because I felt awful and I think it really helped my nerve pain. Is there a compelling reason to stay away from it while I treat? Can I take it as needed or only everyday?

It made my depression worse in only a couple weeks so I stopped taking it. I also tried Lyrica and I feel like it made my nerve pain worse.

I took this. It helped my pain fantastically but I stopped taking it. For several reasons. I was very dizzy. Drunk dizzy. I hated that. Then my sodium levels rose so I stopped taking it.

I took lyrica a few years ago and didn't get past the first pill. Caused a feeling of a thousand needles all over my body and extreme nervousness.

Then my Lyme dr tried me on another can't remember the name of that one. It caused me double vision and I was falling down every time I tried to walk.

My dr insists I have something for the pain and will probably be mad when they find out I stopped. Pain control to dr j is a huge part of treatment. But I've done pain so many years that it's just a part of me now. I'd rather be able to stay upright.

Just know if you start taking this you cannot just stop. You need to titer up and titer down on these types of meds.

I think you have scope to increase massively on gabapentin. It's available as 100mg I think you can go upto 2700mg possibly higher under guidance from doctors. Everyone's therapeutic dose is different, I mainly use it for sleep and have for 18 months. Every few months i have nights where I can't sleep again. What I do is titer down by one tablet and then titer back up the day after or so and thankfully it seems to reset everything and I can sleep again without increasing my dose. It's the best med I have used in this whole Lyme thing. No side effects for me personally.

Gabapentin has worked very well for me. I went from about a half dozen symptoms to none because apparently they're all nerve related. I had clarity for 2 weeks while ramping this up and not taking abx but now that I'm doing a heavy duty protocol I've had to up the dosage to try and control the herx.

I'm a man about 185lbs and doing 300mg 2x/day. I can go up to twice that and will if necessary.

If you have nerve issues I would definitely try this. Dr. J in DC also prescribes this for almost anyone that' a patient.

I am encouraged that others are taking it with no issues. I can feel that it's time for another dose. It's odd, it is helping much more with the muscle pains than I thought it would. I guess some of my muscle aches were nerve related. I did still wake up stiff and in pain during the night but at least it helps with some of it.

madisongrrl said...
I've been on Gabapentin for 3 years now (2400 mg). Each tablet comes in a variety of strengths - 100, 300, 600 or 800 mg. Max dose is 3600 mg per efficacy (not safety). Some people who have severe nerve pain have been taken up higher than 3600 mg by pain doctors because it's not a safety issue.

If you take this medication, titrate up or down slowly and realize it is going to take a long time to adjust to this medication. It can work very well for nerve pain.

One thing to remember is that your brain learns pain. If you experience Lyme neuropathy and don't take any medications to mask this pain, your brain can hold onto the memory of this pain even after you heal (neuroplasticity). This is why the good Lyme doctors try to get the nerve pain under control with Gapabentin, Lycra, Cymbalta, Nortriptyline etc.

That's what I'm concerned about.
If this has already happened to me...will taking Gabapentin not work this late in the game?

madisongrrl said...
Gabapentin can still work late in the game. Sports med doctors will use nerve medications when they think patient's brains are holding onto pain, even if it's been years.

Okay, phew!

Although, I did have several good days recently with less nerve pain...so I'm on the fence still.
Also, not sure if my GP would prescribe it..hopefully when I tell her that it will help me get back to work and function better, she will listen.

Was your question answered about taking "as needed"?
That was what I asked my GP a few years ago - just wanted something for a little relief some days.
I was told no - you need to take it daily.

No, but am thinking of asking my GP for a prescription.

When I first asked her about it, I wasn't interested in something taken daily...but here I am a couple years later..wanting to tame some symptoms so I can have a more 'normal' life. Going broke with me not working (3 1/2 years)

Yes to all positive comments above but be careful with titering down VERY gradually. Seizures can result.

madisongrrl said...

Girlie said...
No, but am thinking of asking my GP for a prescription.

When I first asked her about it, I wasn't interested in something taken daily...but here I am a couple years later..wanting to tame some symptoms so I can have a more 'normal' life. Going broke with me not working (3 1/2 years)

I totally understand this. Gabapentin is the only reason I'm able to work.

I'm feeling like I've checked out of life - can't predict the bad days so it's hard to make plans. I am feeling like life is passing me by. If this could cut down symptoms even 50% that would be enough. I've read it helps with more than pain symptoms - maybe it will help with the other nerve symptoms too?

Rikky1 said...
Girlie you need to take the gaba and see if it helps. There's no prize for toughing it out and being miserable. Heck I'd drink urine if it made me feel better. (i know gross but you get the point).

Yes, I'm realizing that...for some reason I was thinking that if I took something for the pain...that it would be hard to get off...and I'd end up with some kind of rebound pain that was even worse.

But, enough is enough... toughing it out for over 3 years is long enough...it's wearing me down.

...and from what I've been reading - it could break that cycle of pain...it may actually be beneficial that way.

It would be wonderful to go back to work....although I'm a little concerned about re-learning with this dummied down brain I have now.
Never thought I'd WANT to go back to my workplace...lol.

Now...just hoping my GP will prescribe it for me. I'm thinking if I approach it from the angle that it may allow me to get back to work...that she'll be on board.