Has anyone used Gabapentin before?

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

The GP thinks I may have a nerve issue causing my debilitating pains behind my eye/ear and head - possibly Occipital Neuralga.

He's prescribed me Gabapentin which I'm due to start on Monday (was advised to start it with someone around as can make you sleepy, at least initially, and don't want to be solely responsible for DD if I am).

I was just wondering if anyone has taken this (for any reason) and if you suffered any other side effects? I am nervous about taking new medication at the best of times due to past experiences and am working myself up into a bit of a state.

I've taken gabapentin regularly for the last few years to deal with nerve pain from my lower back. Started on 100mg 3 x day and now on anything up to 900mg 3 x day. The only side affect I've found is drowsiness as you're getting used to them but other than that they've been fine. They've made a big difference in helping me cope with the pain.

Thanks ChunkyDunk

I took gabapentin for nerve pain and initially found them to be very effective at relieving the pain, and with very few side effects, except for some dizziness which wore off after a day or two each time I increased the dose. I had no problems with drowsiness at all.

Unfortunately, I had a severe allergic reaction at around 2700mg per day (puffy lips, skin rash, mouth sores, fever etc), and had to discontinue use. Apparently this is incredibly rare though, so I wouldn't worry. I am now using pregabalin instead, which is related to gabapentin (but is way more expensive!) If gabapentin worked for you, but you found the side effects a problem, you could discuss trying pregabalin instead with your doctor.

Yes I had them for facial pain.Took a few days to properly kick in but the relief was wonderful.Thankfully my pain has disappeared so I only took them when needed .Hope this helps you and you find relief

I was prescribed it for my fibro to help me sleep. I found it didn't make me sleep any better/longer/more easily but it made getting up in the morning a nightmare as I was just a zombie. That said I was taking it in the early eve not in the morning

Thanks for all your input, you really are helping.

I think my biggest fear is loosing control of myself - I had a horrid reaction to some ADs a while back which made me suicidal - the urge was difficult to ignore, fortunately my DH and DM were around at the time. One of the warnings on the Gabapentin leaflet mention suicidal thoughts as a side effect, hence my worries.

I've been on it for 6 years, Originally I went up to 3600 a day (for Trigeminal Neuralgia). Now down to 900mg a day. great stuff, as it really works, but it did make me very spaced out at first, That does wear off after a while :)

Yes and got on fine with it other than horrific weight gain.

My husband has been on it for a couple of years now (for peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes) he has had no side effects from it although it hasn't been a lot of help either.

Yes, found oregablin to be better. ( Gabapetin is cheaper) .

*pregablin

DH was on them for a few weeks. Drowsiness was one of the minor side affects. He had serious mood and short term memory issues which resulted in many arguments as he could not remember whole conversations we had. It was the worst 10 weeks in our 20 year marriage. He now takes pregablin without issue.

I've been on it for 3 years now. 1800mg a day for trigeminal neuralgia. It's brilliant for managing my pain and I didn't react badly to it like I did to another medication that left me unable to walk in a straight line or stay awake. It was like I'd taken an anaesthetic and it just put me to sleep! Scary stuff.

On the gabapentin I have a small twitch (which has decreased over time and only I notice it) and some issues with memory, word recollection and saying the wrong words if I'm speaking quickly as well as poorer handwriting and spelling (my brain makes me start writing the 3rd or 2nd letter of the word sometimes or swaps a few letters around). These really stand out to me as I'm a teacher and they are irritating, but I'd take all those side effects in exchange for the quality of pain relief it gives me. And my neurologist agrees!

If you have had any MH issues in the past do consider discussing other options with your GP. My DP was put into Gabapentin for a nerve injury and then later transitioned on to Pregabalin (Lyrica). Almost immediately antidepressants had to be layered in - while pain specialists continued to reassure us there were no MH implications - and by the time he was up to 600mg of Lyrica per day his memory and personality were decimated.

His new pain specialist has confided that patients on these drugs are being discreetly transitioned off because of the suicide risk. Warning sheets are already being handed out in Irish surgeries and repeat prescriptions phased out. It has been utter, utter hell for us and after nearly 2 years tapering off we're still struggling to get him well.

Please continue to do careful research and, at the very least, reassure yourself that this will be a short term solution. And do not touch Pregabalin with a barge pole. It is poison. Best of luck to you

*onto

Thanks all, Coffee - I have indeed had mental health problems and am incredibly worried about this aspect. So, I didn't start as planned yesterday and am going to exhaust non medical (i.e. prescription drug) options first - have an appt. with the chiropractor tomorrow, am looking into acupuncture, have started taking magnesium and B12 supplements and will restart practicing mindfulness - see if any if they help, if not will have to reassess things.

My DH has just recently started on gabapentin, initially he was very drowsy but that wore off after a few days. Not having the desired result yet but he's still increasing the amount.
I'm interested in why you are starting B12 supplements though, have you had your level checked? I have B12 deficiency and used to get facial nerve pain before it was rectified

Magnesium seems to be really beneficial. We joined a support group for Lyrica Survivors to help get DP through the tapering process and everyone sings its praises. Happy to hear you're pursuing alternatives. We were presented Gabapentin and Pregabalin as "miracle drugs" for nerve pain and several years down the line my DP was an angry, paranoid stranger. We were warned not to research the drugs online. I can't stress how much he regrets obeying that instruction now.

I really do wish you all the very best.