Im Afraid To Take My Gabapentin (Top voted first)

My name is Sara. I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and crohns. I take prednisone and 50 mg tramadol. I've also been prescribed cyclobenzaprine for muscle spasms. Im super sensitive to medications and im allergic to penicillin sulfa toridol, cant take nsaids as I'm allergic to shell fish. Im terrified to start the Gabapentin for spinal and nerve pain. Im afraid i will have a reaction to it. Its 300 mg every 8 hrs. Any advice or reassurance?

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@Sara,

In conjunction with all of the helpful feedback being shared here, I just wanted to add that no matter what "the reviews say", everyone is subject to react/respond differently to these types of medications. There are some patients who feel that Gabapentin has been a life saver for them and others who were riddled with unpleasant side effects who swear against it. Therefore only you can be your own best advocate for or against it, but only after some degree of trial and error. Perhaps it would be best to talk with your doctor about starting at the lowest effective (threshold) dose and slowly work your way up based on how you feel. I wish you all the best and look forward to reading any future updates you might have along the way.

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I tried Gabapentin two different times. The first time I did not notice any benefit from it. The second time that I took it I felt like it was somewhat in a fog. It did not help my nerve pain with my back pain. I think it affected brain more than anything so I stopped taking it . I would say just do your research on the medication and see if the side effects outweigh the benefits . I have chosen not to take any medication help for paying such as gabapentin which was actually used initially for epilepsy so imagine how it does affect your brain in someway. I have chosen not to take Cymbalta or Lyrica or any mood altering drugs. I have been Effexor for over a year and feel so much better and much more clearheaded. The pain is still there, but I can think more clearly......

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I tried gabapentin or Neurontin twice and it did not seem to help my pain. The only thing I do remember giving me is like brain zaps and buzzing in my head. This medication is initially used for patients who have seizures. The best thing to do is do your research on the medication and how easy or difficult it is to get off the medication as far as withdrawal symptoms. I do not believe that gabapentin helped my pain, but it may for you. I just believe there has been overuse of these medications that affect your brain so much and not the pain enough. And then when you try to get off these medications it is awful let alone the side effects of taking the medication. That is just my experience.

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Sara

It's surprising that you can tolerate tramadol since that's very similar to the NSAID family. One would think tramadol would cause the same effects that NSAIDs do.Gabapentin is a drug extremely effective for nerve pain unfortunately it has a host of side effect that many find bothersome. But If your prescriber believes it effective, he knows best.When the benefit outweighs the risk I would deff. Follow his direction and begin treatment exactly as prescribed.best of luck

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Thank you . My pc and pain management dr put me on tramadol and they tried NORCO but ot eould make me too drowsy. Neither dr or my GI informed me it was in the NSAID family. I will call tomorrow. I xant have NSAIDS due ti Crohns and it causes inflamation and bleeding in my intestines . Thank you for your help

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I slept for three months and was on the least amount given in the beginning I also am allergic to everything it didn't help me but my only side effect was I slept for 3 months slept n the way to and from work and fell asleep on the phone talking just could not get enough rest hope this helps

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My Dr has prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain, only 100 mg 1x a day. Will I have any side effects from that low of a dose?

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Re: ckkrista (# 7)

Ty , I was trying to find a good answer. I took this before and I also got brain zaps. , terribly, it was so scary. Like instant panic attacks. And I was recently prescribed this again. And was afraid of taking it. Cause I vaguely remembered. Zaps.

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