Gabapentin

[ShootingStarsinthesky]

I have just been prescribed 300mg of Gabapentin daily for migraine pain. Do you take Gabapentin for migraine? How much do you take? Does it work? Did you put on weight? Would love to hear your experiences.

Sorry, not for migraine, but I do take it. 600mgs x3/day. It works for me ( nerve pain) really quite well. I'm careful with my weight so no, I haven't gained weight really. I'm currently carrying a couple of extra pounds but can't in all fairness blame the meds.

Hope it helps. Do increase very, very slowly to avoid the side effects. They do get better and you need to stick with it.

Hi Matilda the cat, do you have side effects of fatigue or drowsiness? I am coming off of Amitriptyline which I was taking for migraine which does cause drowsiness and fatigue and was hoping this drug would not! It is good to hear that it is helping you at the dose you take but with migraine I hope to be taking a lot less, I am starting with 300mg.

Yes, drowsiness and also forgetfulness and word searching, I'm afraid. I take it through the day and amitriptyline at night. These effects really do improve so you just have to give it time. It took me a very long time to get the dose to this level.

I'm kind of over feeling a bit zen and stupid in that I accept it and plan accordingly. It works quite well and for me that's the priority.

Pregablin is similar to gabapentin and some people find the side effects are less. However it's much, much more expensive so most gps will only prescribe it if gabapentin has been tried first.mi have tried both and think I preferred gabapentin. Cheap date, me.

I hope it helps you.

Sorry, should say 300mg/day is a tiny dose.

Matilda, if you don't mind me asking, how much amitriptyline do you take? Was debating asking Dr to let me try gabapentin but I sleep so badly & without amitriptyline I basically don't sleep at all, so would like to try both. My amitriptyline dose is 150mg.

I'm lucky in that I only need a tiny dose, Giraffe. 10-20 mgs generally keeps me asleep most of the night. I've never really worked out if it's effective for my pain but sleep is what I need. Certainly combining the two is fine. I've seen loads of pain consultants and all have approved my regime ( gabapentin, naproxen, cocodamol, tramadol and oromorph/ diazepam if nothing else is helping). Crap, isn't it?

It is! Thanks for the info. I thought it might be lower, I seem to be on a slightly ridiculous amount! Just a bit scared to meddle with it & make everything worse. I'll ask next week, thanks!

My GP yesterday said she regularly prescribes Gabapentin and has never heard of anyone having trouble with word finding or weight gain or increase in appetite, but so many people say this on line it is amazing or do GP's just say these things to make sure you try it?

Stars, I am on 3 lots of 600mg of gabapentin a day.
From the time I started taking it I have found it much harder to lose weight and easier to put it on, but I'm not sure my appetite has changed.

I definitely have trouble finding words. Even worse, when I'm talking the wrong-but-similar word will pop out without me noticing, which makes me sound stupid. My class of 8 year olds find it hilarious. I get very annoyed with it. I'll say 'train' instead of 'car' or the wrong colour of something etc. I'm forever having to backtrack on myself.

It has also left my with a myoclonic twitch, which is also annoying. Mostly it's not noticeable to someone else, but I can feel it. But occasionally it causes me to drop stuff, or on one memorable occasion, the twitch in one arm knocked the full glass of water I was holding all down myself.

I just don't think that GPs are up on all the side effects of the medication. Lots are listed in the paperwork.