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UniqueUserName

(316 posts)

45. I was prescribed Gabapentin for DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis) caused nerve issues

Tue Dec 31, 2024, 12:17 PM

Dec 31

My pain is in my upper back. So not at all the same but here's my take:

Gabapentin was like magic!!! ---for about 3 months. Dr. said that it would take a while to work up to therapeutic levels. In my experience, gabapentin worked immediately. It just stopped working in 3 months. As you know, gabapentin is an anti-convulsant so one should never abruptly discontinue usage because of the risk of seizures. I tapered myself off with no issues. My prescription was 300mg @ 3 times daily. I had no issues with discontinuing. It just wasn't working any more.

When I went to see my PCP, I told him that I had tapered off because it wasn't working. He consulted the prescribing specialist. The specialist said that I should not have tapered off. Specialists said that I should have increased my dose. So I left with a prescription of 600mg @ 3 times daily. Again, it worked like magic! ----for about three months. I tapered myself off (using the same method as before with no problems). I don't know what taper regimen I used. I just googled safe tapering.

So for me, I still have the left-over pills from 2019. I will ocasionally take a 100mg to 300mg dose and it works fine. I reserve it for things like long road trips.

I never had any bad side-effects. It did not make me sleepy at all. It also worked immediately and still does (that is it doesn't have to build up in my system, the pain relief effects begin comparably to the time it takes an NSAID to work. I always bring my Rx and show my PCP, because I do want a re-fill when I'm finally depleted.

My cousin's SO has been taking 100mg gabapentin daily for about 20 years with no issues. He has not had to increase his dosage and it still is effective for his issue.

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barbtries

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Are any DUers taking gabapentin? [View all] barbtries Dec 31 OP

My father took it for neuropathy in his feet. It helped. surfered Dec 31 #1

thank you. barbtries Dec 31 #4

Yes, for my father. Tell the your doctor how you feel and follow his advice. surfered Dec 31 #9

i definitely will barbtries Dec 31 #27

good morning mdmc Dec 31 #2

Thank you. barbtries Dec 31 #5

I took it very briefly during chemo for nerve pain... Trueblue Texan Dec 31 #3

huh. barbtries Dec 31 #8

7.5 years since chemo. Doing well. Trueblue Texan Dec 31 #12

so glad to hear you're doing well. barbtries Dec 31 #28

I've had neuropathy for years. My brother and my multigraincracker Dec 31 #6

I know mine is associated with diabetes. barbtries Dec 31 #13

I take it oberle Dec 31 #7

Thank you barbtries Dec 31 #15

I take it. It makes me sleepy and very drugged up in the morning. With the other meds I take, this was the only choice. debm55 Dec 31 #10

this sounds like something different. barbtries Dec 31 #18

I tried it for about two weeks for post-herpetic neuralgia and it was a disaster. catbyte Dec 31 #11

ooh that sucks. barbtries Dec 31 #20

My partner says she swelled up and stopped it like you n/t Yonnie3 Dec 31 #24

sounds like allergic reaction. barbtries Dec 31 #36

I took it for approximately five or six years. I Emile Dec 31 #14

so it worked well for a few years? barbtries Dec 31 #21

It did help on needles and pins pain that Emile Dec 31 #25

so that's good to know. barbtries Dec 31 #31

You will be under your doctor's care. I hope Emile Dec 31 #39

Mr onecaliberal has been taking it for years for the burning in his feet. It gives him complete relief. onecaliberal Dec 31 #16

this sounds like the response I hope to hear lol barbtries Dec 31 #22

I hope the results are the same for you! onecaliberal Dec 31 #32

too much B6 can cause neuropathy, anxiety and insomnia so check your b6 intake before taking another product. rainy Dec 31 #17

thank you for the heads up. barbtries Dec 31 #23

I took it for a month or so several years ago Yonnie3 Dec 31 #19

thank you yonnie3 barbtries Dec 31 #26

It is usually the unusually high doses that may cause side effects in humans. You might speak hlthe2b Dec 31 #29

thank you barbtries Dec 31 #33

A year ago I was on 1800mg of gabapentin a day for a pitched sciatic nerve in my hip. They just kept increasing sinkingfeeling Dec 31 #30

ah, the psychotic nerve. barbtries Dec 31 #34

I am not using gabapentin, but I just read through several user's accounts. TexLaProgressive Dec 31 #35

It works well but it gave me weird nightmares. Elessar Zappa Dec 31 #37

weird dreams. barbtries Dec 31 #43

I had a family member take if for a horrible case of Shingles. mucifer Dec 31 #38

what a nightmare. barbtries Dec 31 #42

Yeah, people react differently to meds. Fingers crossed Gabapentin is a good fit for you. mucifer Dec 31 #44

I was prescibed gaba when neuropathy was diagnosed in my feet fargone Dec 31 #40

yeah, after looking at the possible side effects of the drug barbtries Dec 31 #41

I was prescribed Gabapentin for DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis) caused nerve issues UniqueUserName Dec 31 #45

I took the maximum dosage of it for about a year after a bout of post-herpetic neuralgia. Vinca Dec 31 #46

I've been on it for almost 30 yrs. Maximum dose. (3,600 mg) I've got fibromyalgia. LeftInTX Dec 31 #47

I hope it really helps you. barbtries Dec 31 #48

I was a few years ago and stopped. ificandream Dec 31 #49

My youngest child has been on this drug for fibromyalgia for over 10 years LetMyPeopleVote Jan 1 #50

I took it for a while for post-shingles nerve pain. LudwigPastorius Jan 1 #51

sorry you got shingles! barbtries Jan 1 #53

Thanks. I've been on it about 3 & 1/2 years now, but I think it too is losing effectiveness. LudwigPastorius Jan 1 #54

I just started taking it last month. Borogove Jan 1 #52

Gabapentin was the first thing I was prescribed for neuropathy. GoodRaisin Jan 2 #55

thank you barbtries Jan 2 #56

I have taken it for about 5 years for Restless Legs. It works for me and I have Raven Jan 2 #57