FYI - - You may want to take a look at the discussion on the Back Pain Board:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Back_Pain/forum/17822431-neurontin-gabapentin

I've been on and off of it for several years now. For me it's fairly easy to get adjusted to the side effects. The worst is that I have to increase the dose fairly quickly and then usually within 6 months I am off of it again. After a break of a few months I'm back on.

I tried it a few years ago and it didn't agree with me. My hands were shaking so much i couldn't pick up food with a fork or hold a pen and write. I've heard that it has helped a lot of other people and hope it gives you some type of relief.

not sure how much it helps generally with my fibro but I see results if I double the dose once in a while for rsd terrible flairs .. not sure its wise 2 do but I feel so desperate . .. I find it makes me sleepy at regular dose of 600 mg. 3 xs a day and I m afraid it is adding 2 weight gain . anyone else experience these symptoms ?? I purposely try 2 cut back due to the weight issue but find I m drawn back due 2 my rsd .

I think most of the folks here have been on it at one time or another. As your tritrating up or down to find the therapeutic dose that works for you, neurological side effects are pretty normal. Dizziness, balance issues, leveling issues, kind of similar to the same effects you'd get when your trying to get used to a new pair of glasses.....that stepping out and the floor seeming farther away than it should. The result though can be falling, so you just have to be careful, normally they last a couple weeks and your brain adjusts.

People forge to remember Gabapentin and the other drugs now used for nerve pain were not meant for this, their all anti-seizure meds, and as such they have an effect on the brain and how it processes data. You have to give it time to adjust.

The other thing is these meds can cause weight gain, so adjusting to your diet to high fiber/high protein foods and watching what you eat from the start can help fight that.

Take care,

Kat

It helped me get through a very trying time. I took 2 a day and did not experience the weight gain most do. I think that was due to just not being able to eat because of the pain though. I am thankful I had it when I needed it and would take it again if I needed to but at this point it isn't really adding anything to my pain relief.

I take 300 mg 3x/day, and have another 700 mgs/day that I can take as needed when my nerve pain flares up. I actually get (4) 300 mg capsules and (4) 100 mg capsules per day.

I have gained quite a lot of weight since I started taking it at the end of the Summer. A lot of puffiness and it really slowed down my digestion, to the point where I think food was backing up into my stomach. Recently when I had a bad fibro flare I started taking my full amounts every day for about two weeks, and my arms and breasts got huge! I started using all of the Master Supplements system as well as dropping back down to just the three doses a day and I am losing weight and digestive tract is almost normal again.

I have been on and off gabepentin for a few years. I have taken very high does up to 1000x 3 times a day. It has helped me greatly and so I went back on it. It is very good for nerve pain. It is good to increase slowly or come off very slowly as it can cause seizures and heart problems if you come off it to fast. I have had no issues with it causing weight gain. That is not a typical side effect. It can cause tremors though in some people. I know it is different for everyone but I know that it make a huge difference for me. I hope other people find it useful. I know for people with fibro it is best when used in higher doses. That is when it is most effective. God luck to everyone.

Actually, weight gain on Gabapentin is a fairly common side effect. Though obviously not everyone will have that. Part of it seems to be from water retention, part from the slowing of the digestive tract. Some people get hungry or have food cravings on it, though I haven't.

Recently when I cut back down to the 300mg 3x/day I lost about 12 pounds in two weeks. My arms and breasts visibly went down in size. Something about it being processed whole through the kidneys? I can't remember now...

It has helped my pain, however I have also gained weight. Not sure if it is because of the gaba or a combination of that or another me altogather. I have noticed the puffyness in my hands in the morning and I have also noticed sometimes very uncomfortable indigestion and that backing up into my stomach feeling too. For now pain management is more important I think, since I actually made it to the gym 4 times last week!
Can I get a hallelujah!!

i am its life saver for me it helps pain between my shoulders as i only take Tramadol for pain only 100mg a day not enough but the gabapinten works great i do have flex areal twice a day i do not have side affects hugs minnie