Gabapentin

i have been using gabapentin for months and have now reached a dose of 1200mg a day, it doesn't help with my back pain but it has made me gain weight rapidly 2 nearly 2 stone in 6 months, I would rather out up with the pain than gain 2 dress sizes, this medication is useless, am not going to take it anymore.
Posted by: Anonymous June 30, 2010 3:42 am

I am using gabapentin compounded as a 4% topical cream for vulvar vestibulitis. So far, it's been the only thing that has worked to relieve pain. My gyno weened me off it and the pain returned, but I'm back using a pea-sized amount 2-3 times daily with much success (finally!). And luckily, no side effects that I've noticed.
Posted by: tlm0205 April 12, 2010 11:55 pm

I've been on it since 2003. It took more than two months to work up to an effective dose (900mg). Then it stopped working. We increased the dose to 1200 mg per day in divided doses. Since the pain is variable, I can increase it to 2400mg as needed. While it works well on the fibro and generalized vulvodynia, it does nothing for my vestibulitis or bladder pain. Also, I've experienced increasing levels of anxiety on it and my mood has been exceptionally variable. Cymbalta and Effexor were ineffective for my pain. Strangely, non-drowsy sudafed seems to help though it's side-effects can be dangerous.
Posted by: Weesh August 21, 2009 11:08 pm

What was your experience with this treatment? Any side effects?
Posted by: Weesh August 21, 2009 10:59 pm

My gynecologist put me on Gabapentin almost three years ago to combat severe clitoral pain, and it has helped a lot. Before i started on Gabapentin the harsh shooting pain was unbearable. Even when I was laying or sitting completely still I experienced pain. The Gabapentin totally stopped the pain and enabled me to go about my daily life without being in agony.
Posted by: Morrigirl March 9, 2009 12:00 pm

I take 800 mg 3x a day. Sometimes I think it isn't doing anything b/c I am still in pain, but if I try to go without it, I realize that I am in far less pain with it than without it. It does make me dizzy and woozy sometimes - helps with the fibromyalgia as well as the vulvodynia - wish it made all the pain go away!
Posted by: dcary February 25, 2009 12:15 pm

I said yes to this because i tried Lyrica (similar) It first knocked me out, then vomited for days. each level up got worse, headaches nausea, dizziness, foggy brain. feeling insane. at 4 weeks I had a 15 minute break from pain. The Dr upped my dose & I felt like my body was being beat up &was so depressed, almost suicidal. Got off with terrible withdrawal that was worse the the side effects. I can't think of trying any more meds!!
Posted by: hollyleaf February 11, 2009 12:20 am

It seemed to work for awhile. I could finally wear underwear but it's not doing so great now.
Posted by: IowaGirl February 6, 2009 3:22 pm

I've only tried this as a compound cream - didn't even consider taking it orally, hadn't even heard of taking it orally for this. As a compound it didn't do much for me though even though it's gotten good results for others.
Posted by: Cara_Rouge January 23, 2009 7:41 pm

Controls itching and burning. I HATE taking medicine. It does make me a little woozy. I am a teacher and can't be off my game. I take it all at night. By the end of the day, it wears off, and the symptoms return. I am taking 800 mg./day. I had vestibulectomy 9 weeks ago. Dr. wants me to continue Gabapentin for at least 6 months. No weight gain.
Posted by: jana December 20, 2008 4:49 am

this is a LIFESAVER for me. before i started taking it, i had a terrible generalized aching all over my pelvic region and down into my thighs. sitting was difficult because staying bent at the waist like that was too painful after a while. walking only made everything worse, and i didn't have a car at that time so i had to walk and take the subway everywhere -- daily life was awful. i've been on gabapentin now for at least six, maybe seven years, and i don't know what i'd do without it. it's made SO much difference for me. i'm currently taking 1600mg. (of course, it does nothing for the vulvar vestibulitis, sigh...)
Posted by: rothko November 21, 2008 8:36 pm

Just made me feel kind of high... no pain relief.
Posted by: dusty02 November 20, 2008 2:50 pm

Did absolutely nothing for me except made me gain weight and the more depressed I got.
Posted by: glenda November 20, 2008 2:29 pm

I am taking Lyrica which is the same as Gabapentin. Have been on it for 8 mths and it's starting to fail me. Terrible terrible withdrawal symptions.
Posted by: Sunshine November 18, 2008 7:35 am

It worked great for me for three years and then one day 9/20/08 it stopped completely! I can't believe I have to live through this again.
Posted by: marfaith November 3, 2008 7:09 pm

been on gabapentin 4 8 months.. was brilliant 4 2 months... 80-90% improvement... then... BANG... stopped working... even tho dose increased.... back 2 square 1.... very confusing!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous October 24, 2008 11:16 am

It also did nothing for me. I felt no relief whatsoever. Just made me gain weight.
Posted by: hollynoel September 30, 2008 6:37 pm

Did not work for me- side effects were horrendous- memory loss, weight gain and it did NOTHING for my pain no matter how high I increased my dosage.
Posted by: S July 25, 2008 3:48 pm