Gabapentin

[sarahh]

Hi Margaret

I also take gabapentin and have for about 1 year now I think due to having restless legs. I was told to take mine at night due to the fact it can make you drowsy. Gradually the side effect wore off it does really help with my restless legs. I am also on a low dose and I find this is enough as my gp said that anymore would make me really drowsy. It is up to you whether you feel that you should increase the drug or stop but I hope my advice helps.

Sarah x

[hippyshaker]

coming in late to this but just wanted to add my 2 pennith worth too as i have been prescribed this too.i was in hossie back in november as the pain NEEDED dealing with and this was one of the drugs i was given (aswell as, MST, Cyclazine, paracetamol, orramorph). the basis of me being given it was the pain in my hip being like a red hot poker drilling into my hip. i had other types of pain elsewhere but this being descrobed as it was made them think my hip at least was nerve related.
it did seeem to make a difference-i was drowsy when going on it and phasing the dosage up but that wore off. i know it worked to some degree as i wasnt in the state on leaving hossie as i was on going in. i recently had the dose doubled as i was stil restricted to being able to sit upright for just 1 1/2 hours, and now i can sit upright for just over 3 hrs until the pain kicks in and its orramorph time. so for me, yes it has made a difference. how much im unsure because of the other meds im on, but i did see a direct improvement in that specific pain when it was doubled so its having some effect at least.
i hope that youve fouind a drug or dose thats right for you now-as with everyone else here who is having probs finding the right drugs.
hippy.x

[Elmo]

Am late at posting but then again am new to the boards..!
I to have been put on Gabapentin only last week for my pain and so far no side affects and it's really helping maybe this one will work am also on pain killers (Tramodol) as well been told to up my dose, at least i can sleep at night!
sam

[Englishgremlin1]

I have been on Gabapentin for nearly a year now. When I first started the side effects were horrendoud - felt the flu stating. I have that after a coupe of months they did and still do help with the leg and back pain (which they think is nerve pain) but not with the joints. The GP told me to keep them up until I get to Stanmore and I think they help enough to be worthwhile for me.

did you all find it simply horrid when you first started them?

I have never found one tablet that work for all pain - accept a very strong they tried one time that simply knocked me out. I search for the perfect answer to keeping the balance between pain control and clear thinking but I think I have now realised this is only a dream.

[sarahh]

Hi I was prescribed Gabapentin for my restless legs syndrome and was told that it would help for pain but as I only take one I haven't noticed any difference on the pain scale but they do help with the RLS. Side effect wise I didn't have any at all.

Sarah x

[Sandy L]

I saw an interesting post, I think here but maybe on the EDS board, some months ago relating restless leg to iron store depletion. It seems that some of the enzymes that make dopamine are iron-dependent. It might be worthwhile to ask your family physician to check serum iron and total iron binding capacity.

[sarahh]

Hi Sandy L thanks for the info, I have to make an appointment for a meds review with my gp so I may give it a mention then.

Thanks again

Sarah x

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Sandy,

Below is the link to which you refer in your post with your marvellous memory!! The study is within the extensive thread linked also on restless legs below, just given to make it easy to read for info.

click to link to study related to restless legs & iron stores


Existing Restless legs thread

Hope this helps peeps looking for further information on restless legs. Aside from general info on Gabapentin found in pain management section here.

nonya

[naama]

My new rheumy muttered something about trying gabapentin when I saw him. I think he said instead of the amitriptyline. Having read this post I'm not entirely sure why. We didn't discuss the types of pain I have, just where I have it. I'm wondering if he made an assumption about my pain because of the amitriptyline. As far as I'm aware, I don't have much nerve pain except possibly when my shoulder is playing up and my fingers go tingly. Maybe he read this in my notes from the pain management assessment because we did discuss it there. When I mentioned to the pain management nurse that he'd suggested gabapentin, she told me to wait and see how i was with the butrans. She said lots of people gain weight when taking gabapentin. Having had previous eating disorders and being generally conscious of being slightly overweight, I don't think the benefits would outweigh the possible side effects. We'll wait to see what my GP says when he gets the letter from my rheumy

[Englishgremlin1]

I have certainly gained a bit of wasteline since on Gappapentine but no a lot. I was quite glad of it as I was underweight before.

It sounds like you Rhuemy did a decent job and read up before he saw you.

[sarahh]

Hi Naama I've been taking Gabapentin for about 1.5/2 years now and haven't gained any weight whatsoever I think it depends on the individual person.

I hope this helps

Sarah x

[Trina]

I have just been prescribed Gabapentin/Neurontin to take on top of my Nortriptyline, Tramadol, Ibuprofen & Co-Codamol. (I'm going to be rattling soon!) I'm slightly concerned as most of these posts seem to be quite negative... Does anyone on them actually benefit from them???

Also the weight gaining issue concerns me as I have already put on a shed load of weight as a side affect from the other meds... It's not the chocolate, honest!!!

Trina

[Englishgremlin1]

I can say that yes I may have put a couple of punds on but also that they do help with the pain and for me work better than a lot of the other options.

They work diferently and that is with the area of the nerves, since I have nerve damage that is a good thing.

each medication works differntly and suits different people - give them a fair try but make sure you follow the advice to build up the dosage and see if they help you.

negative effects of one medication for one person do not mean they help no one.

[sarahh]

Hi Trina I take Gabapentin for Restless Legs Syndrome and they work fine for it and haven't put on any weight at all. Try it Trina and see what happens.

Sarah x

[Trina]

Thanks guys...

Well I'm still building the meds up slowly, so at the moment I'm on 3 a day but my GP wants me to be on 6 (3 times) a day. I don't feel any benefits as yet but maybe when I am on the full amount I may see a difference. They don't half spin me out though! I'm having a real job to type this message!!

Thanks for the positive feed back!!