Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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BuffyS 03/19/2015

Anyone experience going off this med, then getting back on it? This is my situation and I would like input:

I was taking gaba 300 ml 3X per day when I was suffering from severe peripheral neuropathy. The flares gradually went away and I weaned myself off of the gaba with no issues.

Jump forward 2 years to the last month or so, and I am again suffering from the peripheral neuropathy. I just took a 300 ml gabapentin (I still have a 3 month supply from 2012) and am wondering what to expect. I don't remember what it was like adjusting to gaba, and since I can't get an appointment with my rheumy until JUNE 23, I'm going to have to depend on these gabapentins to get me through.

How long before I get any relief from gabapentin? Should I start out slowly, and not immediately go back to 3X per day? Help!!

AnnNY 03/19/2015

I had a seizure and when I came home from the hospital, my neuro put me on that dosage. I slept alot for about a week, and then I was OK. I also have peripheral neuropathy.

Hope you feel better.

BuffyS 03/19/2015

Thank you, AnnNY. Are you still taking gabapentin?

RJRelaxing 03/19/2015

My husband's doctor gave him this medication at full strength. No need to slowly build up unless you are having major reactions. My husband did not have any reactions so I can not help you on that, but maybe you will not have any issues either.

So sorry this has flared up again. Will be praying for you and hope that someone cancels and you get in sooner. Sending lots of hugs and positive energy.

Hugs-RJ

AnnNY 03/19/2015

No. I gained 25 lbs, and it didn't seem like I was going to stop gaining weight. One aspirin a day helped the pain going down my arms. (I think I may have seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome.) Plaquinil was helping sciatica. (Undifferentiated connective disease.) But at the moment I am having a flare of the sciatica and having trouble moving. I upped my dose of prednisone which has helped somewhat, but I apparently didn't go high enough, since I'm still struggling to move. I'm going to the rheumy next week, but I don't want to take gabapentin, but it has helped me with pain in the past.

PinkAnything09 03/19/2015

I was given this for my sciatic pain... 300mg x3 a day... no relief. The first month was lots of hand & feet swelling, very dry mouth, hard time thinking, head felt funny... but everyone is different! Hopefully if you take this again, it will provide relief with minimal symptoms.

BuffyS 03/19/2015

Thanks for your input, everyone! You are so kind. This first pill has already helped. I don't know if its a placebo effect or the actual drug, but either way, right now the pain is much lower. I'll take these as needed, not to exceed 3x per day.

drangonflylady 03/19/2015

I'm on a 1000 mg 3x a day. I've been on it awhile but I've gone of it before. You can start at 300 3x a day but when you go off it it is important to come off it slowly. You can go on it much faster than you can go off it. Good luck hun.

heatherhurts 03/19/2015

I can't answer your question, but wanted to mention my experience with gabapentin. It made me depressed and I had to stop taking it. The depression was already present, but not at the level gabapentin did.

I hope you have luck with this medication. I know a lot of people who are on it and are much helped by it.

redheaddiva 03/20/2015

You increase by one pill every 3 days to the 3 per day. Begin at night. For instance...

Day 1...1 pill in the evening
Day 2...same schedule as day 1
Day 3...same schedule as day 1-2

Day 4...1 pill in afternoon, 1 pill in the evening
Day 5-6...same as day 4

Day 7...1 pill in a.m., 1 pill in afternoon, and 1 pill in evening
Day 8 on...same as day 7

Hope that helps.

redheaddiva 03/20/2015

Oh, and to come off, I suggest doing the same as when beginning...reduce by 1/3 every third day.

jasmine0523 03/20/2015

I have been taking gabapentin for several months now for spasms. If I remember correctly it helped the pain right away. It did put weight on but not enough to stop taking it.
Hope you get some relief soon.
Hugggss Jasmine

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