Gabapentin question

[fishead]

I started at 600 mg twice per day about 2months ago for my nerve pain. It takes several weeks to see results and to gradually increase your dose. This stuff alters your brain chemicals so please don't change your dosage without consulting your doctor. I didn't see significant improvement until recently at 800 mg twice per day. I'm supposed to be getting 3 doses daily but I worry about getting sleepy while driving and I can't guarantee I can get my noon dose at the same time every day. The withdrawal from GABA can be bad so if you want off the stuff, consult your doc. You would have to wean down gradually.

WOW thank you for the info, especially regarding "going off" of gab.

[bikerider]

Everyone is different

Everyone reacts to drugs differently...what works for one may not work for another. I was ramped up to 1600 mg of neurontin each day. However, I might as well have been taking sugar pills for all the good it did me. But I've known people that have seen a lot of help at 300 mg. This was one of the reasons I went to a pain clinic to start managing my pain meds and to see what could work.

[fishead]

Everyone reacts to drugs differently...what works for one may not work for another. I was ramped up to 1600 mg of neurontin each day. However, I might as well have been taking sugar pills for all the good it did me. But I've known people that have seen a lot of help at 300 mg. This was one of the reasons I went to a pain clinic to start managing my pain meds and to see what could work.

Gosh bikerider,

You are "spot on" with what you said about reactions to drugs. Thank you for sharing and I hope that the pain managment group helps you!

[onlyairfare]

My neurologist prescribed my gabapentin as 300 mg tablets, two of them (600 mg) four times a day. However, he told me to "start low and go slow."

I began with 300 mg at bedtime, then increased to 600 mg at bedtime. I have never been able to take it during the day as it makes me too sleepy and I work full-time, can't afford to sleep during the day. I think it does help some with pain, but I also use opiates when I need them - again only at night, because I can't be sleepy or otherwise impaired during the work day.

If I wake at 3 am in severe pain, I take a pain pill. I do not see any harm in "masking" such a pain, as a good night's sleep is essential to keeping me employed. Gabapentin just won't cut it under those circumstances, and I can't take diclofenac or similar NSAIDs due to allergy.

[ms382012]

Love my pain clinic

I rarely use any narcotics. I just can't and what's the point of using it daily when the underlying problem isn't treated? I don't go as often and one bottle of Lortab meant to last me a month has lasted well over a year (since my hysterectomy). Narcotics do very little for nerve pain. Sometimes when the arthritis in the hips, si joints, or cervical spine flares it helps.

However, my pain clinic staff were the first to actually get an MRI of my cervical spine and did my first nerve conduction study. Watching the probe touch my skin, thinking it hadn't been turned on yet, and then hearing, "Okay, are you feeling that yet?" was the first time I realized that my nerves weren't working very well. And they were the first to offer steroid injections in my SI joint.

gaba helps my "nerve pain" tremendously but when my arthritis flares, that's a different type of pain. All pain is transmitted via nerves but when the nerve itself is damaged, I've found that nothing works well but traditional pain killers don't begin to touch it.

[Leeaura]

Fish, I'm so sorry about your pain. I can't imagine....,

I agree w Jan. You need to see a doctor that deals with extreme pain on a regular basis. An orthopedist or doctor at a pain center fits this bill nicely. They may suggest options other than medications.

I think a lot of docs these days aren't comfortable prescribing narcotics and may not b as familiar with the others for nerve pain.

A pain clinic won't think you're drug-seeking and will do their best to diagnose the cause of it.

Good luck sweetie!

[fishead]

onlyairfare,

Wow you poor thing but lucky too. I AM sorry you must deal with pain while working, BUT am happy you are able to still work!!!

[fishead]

Leeaura,

I really do thank you for your reply. You have given me the "final push" to seek out a pain-management doctor. I don't know why I haven't done it yet. I think it is because I am starting to "give up on doctors", and the angst of any "rejection" by a pain managment specialist frightens me.

Thank you for the "push", and I hope YOU don't have any uncontrolled pain.

[naphappy]

fishead,

Over the course of the years, my dosage has gone up and down- depending on what is going on.

I currently have 600 mgs tablets. I take 300 3x a day and then 1200 at bedtime.

If I need more or less, I take more or less.

I also, however, am really experiencing a lot of pain in my neck, shoulders, and upper back. I, and my neuro, believe spasticity is causing some of my tingling and weird sensations in my arms and shoulders. So, I am also seeing PT and a Massage Clinic for those areas.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

p.s. Isn't Jan's advice always so soothing? When I read her posts, I alway imagine a soft, comforting voice of someone with lots of wisdom and experience.

Take Care

[hunterd]

I was started on 300 mg twice a day. I am now on ( three years later) 600 mg four times a day.I did not keep track of how quickly my dosage increased, but I can tell you that it has only been a couple months since I moved up to the 600 mg strength. I hope this helps.

[moolk]

[QUOTE=fishead;1402207]WOW! How wonderfully kind of you ALL for responding. I just KNEW I could count on people here.

To comment of some of your posts:

1. mjan I went to a chiro YEARS ago. They "cracked" my back and it did not help. I read, with interest, when you mentioned a more "gentle" way of them doing things to help. I will seek out a Chiro, as they DO help with at least some temporary relief.


Make sure that you have a Chiro that knows the B.E.S.T method!!! Do not let a chiro use traditional methods on MS people!!

[fishead]

naphappy, yes I too, think of mjans voice as reassuring, calm and soothing.

moolk, thank you for reinforcing the B.E.S.T. issue for chiopractors to use.

huntered, thank you for your input

to you all

[sulphur kennel]

Love my gabapentin

I am on 600 mg 3x a day and an additional 1200mg at bedtime. I am so glad we found something that works for me.

[fishead]

Last night I went up to 600mg and WOWYYYY kazowyyy, did THAT HELP!! I am liking this med more and more. Still I only take it at night, as during the day I can "side-track" myself through the pain.

[KateA2]

Works well for me, there is some break-through pain occasionally - but overall I'm satisfied with the pain-relief/side-effect balance. Right now I take 600 2'ce a day, and 800 at bedtime. It doesn't make me tired, except for when I increase the dose. I may just be used to it