?'s about Gabapentin - Fibromyalgia Message Board

sleas · 08-24-2005, 01:24 PM

Hi,

Have posted a couple of times before. Have just seen a rheumy last week after my family doc finally listened to me and did some bloodwork. ANA came back positive and RH(?) factor was up. Anyway, the rheumy doesn't think I have Lupus or RA. Does think I have fibro. I have to do a sleep test and he prescribed gabapentin. I am supposed to take 300 mg before bed. It doesn't seem to be doing much for me yet. What exactly is it supposed to do? Is it more of a sleeping drug? Or is it for pain? He said we could up it to 600 mg if it wasn't doing anything, but I am not sure what it is supposed to do. Does it have more of a cumulative effect, longer you take it the better it works? I have found it amazing how a person can go from relatively healthy to feeling like crap in a span of a couple of years. I am 35 and most days I feel 75.

goldenwings · 08-24-2005, 03:00 PM

Hello sleas,

The other name for this drug is Neurontin. I think in the main it is a painkiller, but I am in the UK and the names of our drugs and the US drugs are different. I do know there is a lot of information about it to be found.

Hopefully someone will be able to let you know who is familiar with it.

goldenwings

jdlfmc · 08-24-2005, 03:53 PM

Hi, I was on it for a few years and it is actually a anti-seizure med that they have found to be effective in pain aanagementI took it for nerve pain which is what most RX it for, it can have some very nasty side effects, I didn't like it and didn't find it to be very helpful with my pain.
They start you on a very low dose and then gradually increase I know many that are up to about 3600 mg a day.
I don't know if you have any spine problems or nerve impingement, other then for seizures, I haven't heard of drs using this for FM I'm only saying I haven't heard of it not that it isn't done, okay.
I would however be talking to my dr about it as it can be a tough medication and you should know more about it and why your taking it.
god luck.
Linda

Glojer · 08-24-2005, 05:07 PM

Hi sleas, did the doc say why he/she doesn't think you have lupus or RA and thinks it is fibro instead? Does the doc think you have a problem with sleep apnea (snoring, gasping for air at night etc.) and that is why you are having problems. I would be asking a few questions of the doc, about your med as jdlfmc suggested and why not RA or some other explanation. Of course I'm just like that, I want info and explanations from my docs. Keep us posted as to what you find out.

sleas · 08-24-2005, 08:16 PM

I am not sure why not Lupus or RA. He asked me alot of questions, then pressed on area's of my body that I knew were tender spots (I've been doing much reading here the past year and a half, trying to find answers). All the areas he pressed on were painful, some more so than others. And I should have written down the symptoms I have been having. I get in there and my mind goes blank. I have had much emotional and physical stress since Jan 2004 (my grandfather and mom both died in 2004, had a total hysterectomy in Jan 2005).

From my reading and searching, I think I can agree with the diagnosis. Have had steady weight gain, sporadic blurry vision, exercise intolerance, extreme muscle aches, fatigue, bloated face in morning, slight anemia. Thyroid tested OK. I do have a bulging disc between T7-8. And I really haven't slept well since my mom was diagnosed with cancer and now has passed. My body is so sore by morning. And my husband says I snore, therefore the sleep apnea test.