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Original poster

gabapentin - opinions!

14 replies

HansSolo22 · 09/04/2019 17:08

I have been prescribed this in a low dose to help manage neck pain and I was wondering whether anyone has used this and what side effects, if any, you had?

I didn't get on with amitriptyline due to some side effects, namely blurred vision and severe anxiety and I'm worried these new tablets will be the same. I know everyone is different but would be good to hear about others experiences. Thanks

OP posts:
bitingcat · 09/04/2019 17:15

Not very positive from me I'm afraid. Was on it for about a month for nerve pain and I felt terrible. Really achey all over and I couldn't concentrate; I also had really tingly lips! I'm now on Pregabaline and it agrees with me much better. Shame the locum doctor I saw felt the need to point out it was more expensive than Gabapentin and it was a shame I had complained of the symptoms! Hmm

ChicCroissant · 09/04/2019 17:17

I agree that the side effects were similar for me, but they did work - surely it's worth giving them a try?

brodybear · 09/04/2019 17:21

Not me but DH. The side affects mimicked early stage dementia, it was horrific what it did to our marriage before the penny dropped and we realised what it was.

brodybear · 09/04/2019 17:22

DH also now has pregablin with no problems. I'm not sure how good it is for pain, he is sore every day anyway, but potentially worse without the drugs.

Original poster
HansSolo22 · 09/04/2019 18:25

I actually don't think my pain is something that it will reduce / manage as everything I read about it says it's for nerve pain and mine is more muscular. To be honest, I'd rather live with the pain than have similar side effects to the amiltriptyline.

I was driving and my vision completely blurred over and I couldn't see. It was very lucky there was a lay-by right there that I could pull into. And the feelings of anxiety that followed were just horrific and I don't want to risk it as the side effects sounds very similar. Thanks for the replies, it sounds like my fears are not unfounded, unfortunately!

OP posts:
Bodear · 09/04/2019 18:29

I have been prescribed it and found it great! As long as I had nothing to do but lie on the sofa in a kind of semi-trance. Anything else was pretty impossible.
@bitingcat count yourself lucky you got the pregabaline prescription. My gp wouldn’t prescribe it due to cost so I was back to tramadol and unmanaged pain. All healed now but I’d need to be in severe pain to consider gabapentine again.

Nat6999 · 09/04/2019 18:56

My late partner said I looked like a heroin addict when I was on Gabapentin. I was totally off my face, walked round in a drugged up haze. I don't recommend it.

WhatNow40 · 09/04/2019 19:01

I tried gabapentin and didn't get on with it at all. GP said there was no alternative to try. Then specialised wrote a letter telling them to prescribe pregabalin. They still refused due to cost, until I pointed out I'd tried every available alternative first. I was fine with pregabalin. It took a few weeks to get used to but then was brilliant for my pain. I'm told my pain is nerve pain. I also take Naproxen, which is anti inflammatory, can't come off it as the pain increases to much. Who knows what the pain really is?! Pregabalin took me from walking slowly with crutches took walking unaided and an almost normal pace. Life changing at the time.

Original poster
HansSolo22 · 09/04/2019 19:16

I know everyone has different conditions and reacts to medication differently and I've always been of the opinion that medicine is good for you (I'm very much why suffer if you don't need to!) but there was just something about this particular one that had made me really nervous about taking it.

I'm worried about the dependency too which my GP said was possible. I did explain that I knew I had a very addictive personality but she sort of glossed over that. I will certainly do more research on the other medication some have suggested though - thanks everyone for your help!

OP posts:
LittleMissHappy19 · 09/04/2019 19:21

I was first prescribed gabapentin 8 years ago..no positives from me!

My GP reluctantly changed me to pregabalin.

Pregabalin is supposedly the newer improved gabapentin. My GP told me that, they were reluctant to prescribe me it, as it costs far more than gabapentin and knew I would be on it for the rest of my life..unless a miracle happens!

See how you get on, but if it doesn't help I would suggest asking your GP, if pregabalin is an option that would work for you

Good luck!

Cocollepew · 09/04/2019 19:25

I was on it for nerve pain but hated it and eventually came off it.
It made my boobs bigger and sore, like before your period. Plus I always felt hungry on it.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/04/2019 21:54

I was offered it for facial neuralgia, but my consultant said the side effects were severe, and that he had been on it for shingles and hated it. I decided not to take it, but can request it in future if I change my mind.

Idonotlikeyoudonaldtrump · 10/04/2019 00:30

My best friend is on it. It’s really helped her back pain and she hasn’t struggled with side effects. She’s usually quite sensitive to medication too, if there’s a side effect, she gets it!

icclemunchy · 10/04/2019 00:35

I had awful side effects with the amytriptaline, was swapped to gabpentin which made me pretty spacey for the first few weeks but didn't do anything for the pain. Now on Pregabalin which also left me pretty out of it at first but better now Im used to it. Half the reason im on it is to help curb the pain enough for me to sleep. Weight gain has been pretty rough though!

Gabpentin seems to be a bit love hate looking at support groups, so I guess you can only try it and see if it helps

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