I have been on Gabapentin for 5 years for nerve and muscle pain. It helped, but it never totally got rid of my pain. My doctor recommended I go on a gluten free diet, which I did several months ago. I also started walking 3 miles a day. The diet has really helped my pain levels, so much so that I am no longer taking the gabapentin. I have lost 8 pounds and I feel better than I have felt in quite a few years. Gabapentin helped when I was at my worst, but it feels good to be off of it.

Suze51

Eagle River, AK

I have been taking 400mg Neurontin 3 times a day for the symptoms of Fibromyaglia for over a year. I must say, it does help with the aches and pains associated with Fibromyalgia. Since beginning taking it over a year ago, I have noticed far less Fibro flares. Prior to taking Neurontin I took Lyrica for my Fibromyalgia. I experienced so many side effects while taking Lyrica that I will never take it again nor would I ever recommend it to anyone else who has Fibromyalgia. I have experienced no ill side effects from Neurontin. Coupled with daily Tramadol, Neurontin has helped me to regain some of my abilities and to be more active with less pain. Neurontin is by no means a cure for the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, but it does weaken the symptoms to a somewhat tolerable level. It is also far more inexpensive than Lyrica. I recommend it to others who have Fibromyalgia as often as I can.

LouieMerlin

USA

This was the worst medicine I have ever tried! My doctor had me try it for my arthritis pain. Not only did it do nothing to stop the pain, it caused more problems. I could not urinate, my vision was blurry, I could not walk (when I tried to walk, I would fall down and it felt like someone slapped me on the back and made me fall), I couldn't function for an entire day. It was very scary! I would NOT recommend it to anyone.

Marie12345

Dallas, GA

My doctor's nurse practitioner prescribed 300mg 3x a day for peripheral neuropathy -- a condition where one loses feeling in their extremities. Now, to be fair, I am already taking Cymbalta for depression, so why my doctor would prescribe another type of anti-depressant on top of that to treat neuropathy is beyond me. It made me extremely hopped-up and very combative. I wasn't my usual self. I immediately cut to two per day and now one, which is much easier to deal with. I see now there is a 200mg dose. My suggestion is that you have a discussion with your doctor, before you consider using this medication. It is my opinion that a doctor with a thorough understanding of your history should prescribe for you, not one else should. And start on it slowly, don't go full-on all at once like I did. I was told that there are a couple other drugs indicated for neuropathy, but that they induced huge weight gain, so of course i wasn't interested.

valgale

Orlando, FL

I AM A DISABLED RN HAING WORKED FOR 25 YRS. THIS DRUG WAS PRESCRIBED DUE TO COMPRESSED NERVES AND NERVE DISORDER-POLYNEUROPATHY. THIS DRUG NEARLY KILLED ME EVEN ON A LOW DOSE. COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING, ATE CONSTANTLY, SWELLED MY BODY UP AND NEARLY SHUT DOWN MY KIDNEYS-BAD CHOICE FOR ME. I KNOW THERE ARE SOME WHO TAKE IT IN HIGH DOSES THAT DOES NOT BOTHER THEM BUT NOT E. DID NOT HELP THE NUMBNESS, TINGLING, ETC ET. BEWARE OF SIDE EFFECTS.

deerfisherman

Benton, KY

I tried this drug 6 wks post op from surgery for nerve pain But it didn't really help even whenI increased to 900mg.Nothing at all really helps the pain.I've been just suffering since march from a routine surgery and have had thre moore to try to correct it with no help.I would reccommend one to try if needed for this pain.Who knows it may work for you.

missybee

Jackson, GA

**I started taking Neurontin last year when a doctor prescribed it for my headaches due to nerve pain.  I was started out on a low dose and increased to 300 mg 3 times a day.  ** **Before I went to the doctor, I had been suffering from very intense headaches, the worst pain I had ever had.  This had been going on for almost 2 weeks when a family member insisted that I go to the doctor.  I reluctantly went.** After I had a CT scan, MRIs, xrays and blood tests and no structural problems, tumors etc., the doctor had me increased to where I was able to manage my headaches and return to work.  Since I started taking Neurontin, my life went back to normal.  It is something that I will probably take all fo my life, but it is worth it to me.  I no longer take life for granted and I know that my medicine is very important for me to have a good life and as long as I don't miss a dose, I do so well with it.  Even though it can cause drowsiness, I believe that my body has adjusted to it just fine.  My job is a physically demanding job and I am able to be alert and able to complete necessary tasks.

msthax10

Kenton, OH

**If you wake in the night with leg cramps or wake feeling as if you never slept at all, then you mght want to read this. I suffered through endless nights of leg cramps that left me feeling as if I would have been better off staying awake at night. The wear and tear on my body effected both my physical attivities and my thinking ability. Both of these are very important to any daily routine.** ** I talked with my Doctor about my condition and she said she had just what I needed. Having heard this for years from other Doctors, i was a little skeptical. She gave me a small prescription for **Pfizer Neurontin, a medication used to treat Restless Leg Syndrome.  Restless Leg Syndrome is a disorder related to sensation and movement. People with restless legs syndrome have an unpleasant feeling or sensation in their legs when they lie down to sleep. Most people also have a very strong urge to move their legs, and moving the legs sometimes makes them feel better. But all this movement makes it hard or impossible to get enough sleep.**** ** I tried the prescription and in a very short time, I noticed a difference. The feeling as if something were inside my legs greatly deminished and the need to move my legs constantly, lessened significantly.  **Pfizer Neurontin made a difference in the position I slept in and the way I felt when I woke in the morning. I could roll on my side now or snuggle into my blanket without worrying about severe cramps in my  calves and upper thigh area. I began to feel more rested and my legs didn't ache through out the day.**** ** There are some side effects that can occur with using this medication. S**igns of an allergic reaction can include** hives, fever, swollen glands, painful sores in or around your eyes or mouth, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.  You can talk with your Doctor about these side effects.** **Pfizer Neurontin made a difference in my life and I know it would in yours. Pfizer is one of the best known distributors of great medications. They have something for nearly anything that is ailing you. They are heard of and trusted by patients and Doctors alike.**

boogieman50627

Eldora, IA

Gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) can be used for nerve pain, commonly referred to as neuropathy.  Neuropathy can be caused by many conditions, such as diabetes, but also by nerve damage, such as the type caused by herniated discs.  While the pain relief begins to be noticable at 300mg (and maintenance doses can range from 100mg to 900mg or so), the side effect of short-term memory loss is bothersome. Like many non-narcotic pain medications used for neuropathy, gabapentin was used primarily for seizures before it was seen to help in pain relief, and thus so, it is understandable that it may affect brain chemistry (and/or neurotransmitters). While it is a good drug in its non-addictive properties, and that it doesn't interact with many other medications, I noticed the short-term memory loss within the first week of taking it, and opted to discontinue it. In short, it's a toss-up between (nerve) pain relief and short-term memory loss.  You can't have one without the other.  Gabapentin doesn't help with other types of pain, inflammatory or acute pain, and won't help everyone, but those who have neuropathy have the choice.

TimothyL

Alameda, CA

I have been taking Gabapentin for about 3 months now and it's taking most all my fibromyalgia pain away. At first, it made me violently ill, but I cut back the dose and increased slowly. I have had no side effects since then. I take 1500 mg before bed. The only problem is that it wears off after 10 - 12 hours. My doctor is affraid to give me more since I got so ill at the beginning, but, I hope I can convince her to let me take it twice per day instead of just at bedtime. I also take 100 mg of Trazodone before bed. I have taken Amitripyline, Cymbalta and Savella but side effects were terrible. They made me feel like a zombie most of the time. With Gabapentin, I feel like myself again! I hope it keeps working.

shortnsassy2011

Sanford, FL