Diabetes Type 2 Support Group

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...

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brendacaytonwhite 09/17/2011

Does anyone take Gabapentin? I wasn't experiencing any numbness, just a little tingling at times in the toes of my left foot, but when I was in the hospital for a muscle biopsy my doctor put me on Gabapentin and my new doctor elevated my dosage from 100mgs three times a day to 300mgs twice a day.

I now seem to have pain on the top of my feet all the time, as if there is a rubber band wrapped around my feet. My doctor told me something about the nerves in that area not working properly or something, but that doesn't make any sense, since I didn't have the problem before and the surgery was only in one thigh and not both.

Does this sound right? I would like to eliminate an unnecessary drug that I may not need.

mzizgayle 09/17/2011

I have not heard of that drug, so checked it out and one of the side effects is tingling in the hands and feet, and to notify the doctor regarding this...call your doctor but do not discontinue right off the bat, it should be gradually reduced until completely off

brendacaytonwhite 09/17/2011

I am going to advise her before I refill it. I didn't take the dose this morning but then read the warning to not stop so I took it. I just don't need this extra pain that I didn't have before starting it.

deleted_user 09/17/2011

I have known people who took it. and they seemed to think it really helped with the nerve pain. It is the generic for Neurontin.
I would ask my doctor and heed those warnings.
Like mzizgayle said don't stop all at once.
Good luck

deleted_user 09/18/2011

Brenda, I take Gabapentin, the same dose you are on. However, I have been on the med prior to being diagnosed with Type II. I was put on the med after I had a very serious car accident, breaking several bones. My doctor indicated that it was an antiinflamatory, which would help me with inflamation from all the broken bones. When I was diagnosed with type II my doctor said I should continue with Gabapentin since it would help me deal with Diabetic neuropathy, which involves among other things tingling in the hands and feet, Generally it does help, but I do notice that the beneficial aspects seem to be lessening and I am going to have a talk with my doctor on my next visit

deleted_user 09/18/2011

This is not an anti inflammatory drug it's an anticonvulsant originally developed for people with epilepsy to control seizures.

It is also used to treat neuralgia pain from shingles and diabetic neuropathy. I was given the drug initially for the burning stabbing pain from Fibromyalgia, that was before I even got diabetes.

I still get numbness and tingling but it doesn't feel like someone is stabbing me in the leg with a knife anymore. I'm on 2400 mg daily.

brendacaytonwhite 09/18/2011

Everything that I have read about it states that it is mainly used for seizures and that is one of the things that at first was confusing to me as I do not have seizures and I feel that the pain that it is now causing in my feet is not worth taking it. I feel as if it is causing me issues that I did not have at first. Why take something for a problem that was not there. The tingling that I had was only if I propped my feet up to long and it started to tingle. Now if they are concerned that the muscle biopsy is going to affect my toes I can understand that, but otherwise it isn't worth it. I will discuss it with my diabetes nurse tomorrow at the class.

I have an all day class at USF. I have never had a full day diabetes class, It should be very informative.

deleted_user 09/20/2011

ls gerb... the same as Lyrica?? lyrica helped me w/fibro & neuropathy
lt cant hurt to talk to DR GL
God Bless

brendacaytonwhite 09/20/2011

I don't know if Lyrica is the same. I had never taken either before. I am going to emailing my physician.

deleted_user 09/26/2011

I have been given the same drug. It took me over a month not to be afaird of it. I read the same things you all have read. It scared me all the warnings.
I told all my doctors I refuse to take.
Then I had so much pain I was willing to try made my husband promise me to call 911 if something weird happen to me.
Then I started last week taking the pills.
first: Gabapentin was 1 pill 3 x a day 100mg. for one day.
second: 2 pills 3x aday for 2 days 100mg.
third: 1 300mg 3 x a day complete. I guess when I go back to Nuro doctor.
I have a few side effects I know of....I didnt' have before....blury vision time to time...sweat like a dog ......and I think these bruses on both of my legs only a couple might be cause by this new pill?

I hate pills, and who doesn't....but for me I have a problem.

I should follow what I am told mostly I do.

I have diabetes 2 and I wonder how I got this so quickly?

They thought I have neuropathy.... not too far off.....I have severe senory ployneuropathy....a little different all the nerves do it not just hands and feet/legs. and I haven't been able to ben my toes in almost two years before all this.
So they pick me with pins and did and emg and found I have nerve damage further then they thought.
lots of more MRI's and saw legions.....and I guess some of the messages don't get to my nerves. as I understand it.

The pain is what I really feel and not being able to walk like I use too. I guess when my face which it is don't have some feelings either.

oh well...life is a bitch sometimes.

bee

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