Gabapentin. Anyone have any experience of this?

[PavlovtheCat]

Been prescribed it to help manage nerve pain from sciatica due to prolapsed L5/S1 disc, alongisde co-codemol and diclofenac.

I have read some alarming side effects and I am now very nervous about starting it. I have been given a sick note to cover next week to help me adjust to this and while I am still in pain, so I do have time to work through some of the side effects.

I am prescribed what appears to be a low dose 100mg x 3 daily. Starting with one, for 2-3 days, then up to 2, then up to 3. GP said I might be lucky and find that 2 works, and if so then stick with that, but more likely is that I will need increase beyond 3, but see how it goes at that level to start.

It seems that some professionals don't like using it, but that is it used as a cheaper alternative to the newer Pregabin.

I just wanted to get some views and experiences from others. Some of the more concerning side affects I have read about are its potential negative impact on mental health, and right now, I really want and need to be as positive as I can, as that is how I will get over this 'flare up' and accept my future and change my life how I need to so I can continue to live how I want to (actively!). And some idea of what the more common side effects are so that as I start it I will know what to expect from the ones I have read about would be great.

I was given it yesterday, but have not taken it as I had to care for the children on my own as DH worked and I was worried I might react to it

insomnia is awful at the best of times, but when pain and stress is added, that must be horrendous. Went through a period of insomnia a few years back, after my mum died. Did not even feel stressed, just used to wake at 2am and not sleep from then on. and used that time to stress about things that by the morning where not actually a big deal. Luckily, although I do wake from time to time with back pain when it is like now, I am able to get back to sleep again, even if occurs several times a night as I turn.
I hope you are able to come off it ok and have lots of support to do it.

I take Pregabalin for nerve pain and I haven't really noticed any side effects. I take 600 mg a day, and have done for about 4 years now. I don't know if
I have built up some resistance to, but I don't feel they are as effective anymore.

I take it for thoracic outlet syndrome. Have gradually increased up and was on 1800mg per day for the last 4 months. I went to the pain clinic yesterday and I'm now gradually titrating up to 3600mg. I take it with nortriptlyn @ 20mg per day which increased to 50mg

The maiN side effect for me has been constipation. I am a bit more forgetful than usual. The side effects are well worth it for the amount of relief that I get.

Definitely gradually increase up to reduce the possibility of side effects if possible

You can drink on them btw

Have drunk far too much tonight, but I am almost, apart from the teenager DC free for the first time in 2 years.

I found the slurred speech passed quite quickly, within 1-2 days, but recurred after each dose increase for a couple of days. I'm fine with it now.

Kayaking.... Another thing I had to give up, as well as swimming. I miss open water, a bathtub isn't the bloody same!!

Blindly, your dose even beats my Max dose. I'm likely to be titrating up after my visit to the Doc next week, as not got full seizure control.

I was told 4 years ago that 1200mg was the absolute max, good to know that it is possible to take more if they feel I need it now. Full seizure control the Holy Grail for me, has never happened in nearly 9 years since my diagnosis would be luffly!

Blindly was meant to say blimey. That was to Ben10...

Oh no, swimming too that really sucks. well, at least you can drink alcohol, one hobby still ok .

blimy ben10, that makes my stressing about a measly 100 up to 300 seem daft! you can tell you have all been in the 'system' for a while, talking about 'titrating' I had to google it the first time i heard it but now I am a Pro so I shall use it flippantly in conversation with my friends at lunch today

That's the epilepsy, I'd have to have another adult with me if I was to go, and as I've usually got DC's with me too, I'd then have to have another adult for them!

Impossible to organise!

I started on 100-300mg Pavlov but according to the pain doc 1800mg is the average dose for nerve pain through the pain clinic. 1800mg is the max that the GP does I think.

When I first started taking it, the people on my TOS forum were taking 3600mg and I didn't understand that they could possibly. Unfortunately your body does get used to it and you may well find that you get relief at 300mg per day but then after some months an increase is required.

I started my titrating :) on Friday so will am now on 2100mg per day.

I'm sorry I fibbed. I will be going up to 2700mg per day. I can't do my maths 3 x 900 =2700mg

holy shit that is sooo much!
unfortunately, I have had a further lapse re my back, this evening, and now have a screwed back AND horrendous sciatic pain.

Can I ask a question? i am going to ask the thread I have going for those with lumbar pain in particular. But, a friend of mine said how would I know, if the sciatic pain has become worse due to the nerve being trapped? Would I still get pins and needles, and numbness or, does that stop all of it? because, as there is still a risk of nerve entrapment occuring and causing damage, I would know this by pain increasing right? or, if this happens, would the pain increase beyond what the medication would hide? Not sure if that makes sense, hope so. I am worried that should my back 'go' again and trap a nerve permanently, I would not know?

I think that you should get to see someone today Pavlov I don't know about prolapsed discs but it doesn't sound good to me. Hope you do get seen today x

ben10 no point. they can't do anything right now. It seems from conversations that not much can/will be done, unless there is nerve entrapment. I have an osteo appt on thurs, will just speak to someone then. I still have sciatic pain right now, not sure if it has eased with this medication as only taken it a couple of days, and back is hurting more again, but thinking more about as I increase this dose to the point of it reducing sciatic pain completely.

I guess I have to just grin and bear it. or stay drugged through this period. I really hope the slurring/gouching sorts itself out. My HR manager called today and I am pretty certain my speech was slowed/slurred. I can't work like that.