Gabapentin? - Neuropathy Message Board

Slimlad · 04-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Hello everyone,

An MRI of my cervical spine showed that I have degenerative disc disease in that area with one disc showing a posterior bulge. There is also bilateral exit foraminal narrowing in the same region.

I went to my General Practitioner (GP) after receiving the results of my MRI as my next scheduled appointment with the neurology department is not until May.

All I wanted from him was something to free me from the tingling/burning/soreness which I am experiencing on the soles of my feet and on the palms of my hands. Also in my fingertips which tingle or ***** when I touch things, such as the keys on this keyboard as I type.

He prescribed Gabapentin, 300mg one at night for one week and then an additional 300mg in the morning for the second week culminating in a third dose from then on. i.e. 900mg per day.

For some reason he referred me to a neurosurgeon and I had that appointment last Friday (4th April). The neurosurgeon gave me a very cursory examination and then showed me the MRI scan on his computer screen. He said he would not wish to operate on someone such as myself as the risks involved were not condusive to relieving my symptoms (or something like that).

When asked why I was feeling the way I was he said, "I am not a specialist in that field." He said he would write to the neurology team.

I was out of there in, what seemed to me, about 10 minutes.

The symptoms/sensations started about 18 months ago now and have got worse.

When I first started the Gabapentin, 300mg at night for a week, I thought I felt a slight relief of the tingling in my feet. Strangely, I thought, when I increased the dose to two capsules per day my hands started tingling more. By the time the third week came and I was on the full dosage of three capsules per day I Felt as though I was back to square one with no relief of anything and a strange sleepyness to boot!

Anyone else on Gabapentin for these symptoms? Do they take a while to work properly?

I dislike taking drugs if I do not need to and I am loathe to swallow these things if all they are doing is making me sleepy and poisoning my body in heaven knows what way.

I still feel very confused as to why I am getting these strange sensations as before all this started I was reasonably well.

Any comments would be welcome.

I wish everybody a good day and relief from whatever symptom is troubling you.

Take care.

shady123 · 05-08-2008, 04:57 AM

Hi Slimlad i too am on gabapentin and dihydracodene and diazapam none of these drugs are really giving me any relief. i have ddd at botom of spine l5 s1 level and they think i now have it at top of my neck ,this is going o be looked at shortly. i am having a caudle injection again in spine on monday 12th May to try and relieve but i have had them before and no joy. i get burning tingling and numbness in leg and left arm.Gabapentin is suppose to help this nerve pain!!!! I wish you luck and hope you are feeling better soon.

Tracy

Aussie100 · 05-08-2008, 04:40 PM

Hi Slimlad, to give yourself the best chance of finding the culprit that is causing your nerve damage it's paramount to have a neuropathy expert on your side, there are plenty of neuro's out there that know the basics of PN but it's no were near enough, as this a specialized field of neurology, that has a huge amount of possible causes.

Originally i too was very confused about my symptoms, i was mucked about by the medical profession when i first got neuropathy, even one professor of neurology didn't have a clue, but once i found an experienced neuropathy specialist he found the cause/s in the first lot of blood tests, it was Prediabetes and low B12, none of the others even tested for low b12.

I wish you my best,
Aussie

Slimlad · 05-11-2008, 05:03 PM

Thank you both,

Shady 123 and Aussie 100 for your time in replying to my message.

Your interest is very much appreciated.

I am still taking one 300mg capsule three times a day and, for about a week or so, felt much better. However over the past three days my hands and feet are again feeling really sore and I find that I am even kicking off my slippers in the evening as they suddenly feel so 'restrictive'. Perhaps the arrival of the warmer weather has some influence, I don't know.

I am due a six monthly review soon and am awaiting an appointment with the neurology department.

There seems to be so many variations as to what may be the cause of such symptoms. From reading of your own experiences and researching the web it certainly is bewildering.

My very best wishes.

woondog · 05-11-2008, 09:40 PM

see if you can get your doctor to prescribe: 2 mg of hydromorphone aka dilaudid
and 10 mg of nortyiptyline both twice a day but the nortripyline should be
taken : 1 in the early morn and the other before bed. Works for me. If it does
not take the pain away in about five days, ask your doctor to up the dosage.
Having had pn for about 25 years, I've got some experience with excrutiating pain
and with the exception of three days in the past 6 months, I have had no pain.
Hallelujah! The woondog