Gabapentin
Gabapentin
I am curious weather anyone has had pain relief from Gabapentin, and if so, what the side eefcts were. I have tried pregabalin twice and couldn't get past 150 mg. each time due to the unpleasant side effects. The drug made me exhausted and fuzzy-headed, and made my face puffy. My pelvic pain doc wants me to try Gabapentin but I am reluctant due to my experience with pregabolin. I am currently using a topical version of Gabapentin to treat vulvadynia and am not finding it very helpful. Thanks.
Re: Gabapentin
Hi Greeneyes
I am taking Gabapentin for vulva pain (along with nortriptyline ) - advised by the pain clinic to go up to 2400mg daily at one point but there was little difference to the pain so advised to come back down to an effective level.
I then tried coming right off gabapentin completely at first but felt there was too much burning and inflammation so went back on it - so maybe gabapentin is doing something to help the burning pain.It is meant to be good in combination with Nortriptyline. I then went up to 1800mg daily for 3 months or so then came back down to 1200mg daily as i was getting so fuzzy headed. I am now down at 900mg daily which is said to be the first effective level and thinking clearly. The pain seem to be much the same at any level so i am going to try staying on 900mg for a while as i feel so much better thinking straighter.
My gp says that there is little difference between Gabapentin and Pregablin.
I would say that gabapentin doesn't give massive pain relief.
Hope this reply is of some help - sorry that i have 'gone around the bull and bush'.
Rosemary x
I am taking Gabapentin for vulva pain (along with nortriptyline ) - advised by the pain clinic to go up to 2400mg daily at one point but there was little difference to the pain so advised to come back down to an effective level.
I then tried coming right off gabapentin completely at first but felt there was too much burning and inflammation so went back on it - so maybe gabapentin is doing something to help the burning pain.It is meant to be good in combination with Nortriptyline. I then went up to 1800mg daily for 3 months or so then came back down to 1200mg daily as i was getting so fuzzy headed. I am now down at 900mg daily which is said to be the first effective level and thinking clearly. The pain seem to be much the same at any level so i am going to try staying on 900mg for a while as i feel so much better thinking straighter.
My gp says that there is little difference between Gabapentin and Pregablin.
I would say that gabapentin doesn't give massive pain relief.
Hope this reply is of some help - sorry that i have 'gone around the bull and bush'.
Rosemary x
Re: Gabapentin
I find that Elavil is much better than gabapentin -- but the side effects for me are too unpleasant, however if you can tolerate it, it works really well at low doses. I take Gabapentin but it only takes the edge off.
prolonged sitting summer -- Vulvar Burning, Vulvadynia, Urinary Frequency, Lower Back Pain, Numbness in Foot, Pain when sitting, Hip Pain
1/12 90% Better after Pelvic Floor PT and 10 mg of Elavil
3/12 Potter MRI
4/12 MRI showed Labral Tears in both hips
4/12 Hip Injection with Dr Jordon -- some improvement
7/12 FAI and Labral repair Hip Surgery, Dr Coleman, HSS, 10/12-3/13 99% better!
3/13 Flared - present,
7/14 Ilioinguinal nerve block positive
1/12 90% Better after Pelvic Floor PT and 10 mg of Elavil
3/12 Potter MRI
4/12 MRI showed Labral Tears in both hips
4/12 Hip Injection with Dr Jordon -- some improvement
7/12 FAI and Labral repair Hip Surgery, Dr Coleman, HSS, 10/12-3/13 99% better!
3/13 Flared - present,
7/14 Ilioinguinal nerve block positive
Re: Gabapentin
I have just begun taking Gabapentin/neurontin, but have almost immediately experienced a reduction in my scrotal pain (allodynia), and think that I may be able to comfortably wear trousers again. There has been no change as yet in the constant pain at my right ischial tuberosity, but I am hoping it will also subside.
So far, my thinking is a little fuzzy, and I have a funny metallic taste in my mouth, but I've made an exchange. I lost my sense of smell about thirty years ago (anosmia), and had learned to live with it. My sense of smell has miraculously returned, and I am immersing myself in the scents I have missed so long - the rosemary in our garden, the taste of fresh figs, the fragrance of my wife's skin! Although I still feel like a cat in a cage with the PN issue, I'm happier at the moment than I have been in the last four months.
So far, my thinking is a little fuzzy, and I have a funny metallic taste in my mouth, but I've made an exchange. I lost my sense of smell about thirty years ago (anosmia), and had learned to live with it. My sense of smell has miraculously returned, and I am immersing myself in the scents I have missed so long - the rosemary in our garden, the taste of fresh figs, the fragrance of my wife's skin! Although I still feel like a cat in a cage with the PN issue, I'm happier at the moment than I have been in the last four months.
Re: Gabapentin
Thanks to all who replied. I've tried many of the antidepressants and anticonvulsants used for pain, and none has provided good pain relief. Nortriptyline seemed to help a bit but it had side effects. I am scheduled to have a phone conversation with my doc today and I'm sure she'll urge me to try oral Gabapentin. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet but your comments have been helpful.