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Posted 7/29/2018 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
So last Monday I wake up in terrible pain on my left shoulder, arm and neck. I see a physical therapist and she says it is a pinched nerve. Barely getting any sleep so I've asked for something to take for the pain and the PT suggested I ask my LLND for Gabapentin. I don't know much about it. Anyone taking it? As I have other nerve issues I wonder if this could be a big help.
Posted 7/30/2018 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
Others here have used it.

I have two friends who use it for "fibromyalgia!" with some pain relief..

The fact that they've been in the woods as much as I have is another story.
Posted 7/30/2018 5:03 AM (GMT 0)

Mister Mike said...
So last Monday I wake up in terrible pain on my left shoulder, arm and neck. I see a physical therapist and she says it is a pinched nerve. Barely getting any sleep so I've asked for something to take for the pain and the PT suggested I ask my LLND for Gabapentin. I don't know much about it. Anyone taking it? As I have other nerve issues I wonder if this could be a big help.

I tried it - two separate occasions

It didn’t help with my pain unfortunately

Start low dose and increase slowly.
Posted 7/30/2018 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys - any downside to this drug?
Posted 7/30/2018 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
i've been using it for 18 months for general nerve pain due to the bugs. its been a life saver for me i'm not sure i'll ever get off it though my LLMD think i should try and start weaning end of year.

very little side effects its been around a while lots of folks take it. you do have to wean off it if you've been on it for a bit.
Posted 7/30/2018 9:48 PM (GMT 0)

Mister Mike said...
Thanks guys - any downside to this drug?

I think weight gain...a friend of mine did put on some lbs after going on it.

And you should wean off of it when it's time to stop taking it.

It is an anti-epileptic drug, used off label for CNS derived pain.
Posted 7/31/2018 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all - much appreciated. Started it tonight and will go slow. I understand I need to give it time...

Girlie - weight gain?! That's awesome, I need to put on some pounds...
Posted 7/31/2018 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Been on it for a few weeks - helps me sleep for sure, and aside from that I havent experienced any marked effects other than reduction of nerve pain. It's supposed to help with fasciculations in many but I havent found it to have much impact in that arena.
Posted 7/31/2018 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks karatekid - I hear it takes a while to work... Hopefully it does for both of us!
Posted 7/31/2018 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
When my neuropathy was off the charts doc put me on this med. It zombified me but I can tell you it really helped take the edge off and finally was able to corral that pain. Couple things, 1 I don't think it is good for brain health. 2 withdrawal can be very strong, so when you are stopping the drug consider a careful taper. But overall I have to say it was a beneficial drug for me in my situation.

Couple other things that could be worth considering: low dose naltrexone and cannabis oil.
Posted 8/1/2018 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Excellent info - thanks sebreg; good to see you again. The not good for brain health makes me nervous...
Posted 8/1/2018 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
no other solution worked for me except gabapentin to get my nerve pain under control.

i've seen no other side effects on my brain or anything else.
Posted 8/1/2018 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Just want to add - suicidal ideation is apparently a risk on Gabapentin so if you have any concerns about your mental health discuss it with your doctor. FWIW I haven’t noticed any change in thinking whatsoever and I am led to believe it’s an exceedingly rare side effect.
Posted 8/4/2018 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all - much appreciated.
Posted 8/5/2018 1:10 PM (GMT 0)

Mister Mike said...
Excellent info - thanks sebreg; good to see you again. The not good for brain health makes me nervous...

Well to be fair that idea about the brain is merely my intuition from reading a few things, very very far from concrete! I took it for a good 6 months and I don't think it caused me any problems (except I felt like a zombie, which at that time was preferable to the constant ridiculous neuropathic pain I was getting!).

I don't think it's a huge risk especially if it helps get pain under control. It stabilized my body and allowed me to start back on treatments, so in that case the benefits were worth it. And I didn't have to take it longterm. It doesn't work for everyone, but for some it can be very helpful.
Posted 8/6/2018 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
It slows down the brain - a lot of news articles circulating about how it’s the new drug to be abused. I used it briefly for migraines. It kinda worked but not a miracle by any stretch so I stopped taking it. I’d do some research before adding it to your protocol for sure.
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