Gabapentin for Pain User Reviews

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2014

"I have severe sciatica in my right leg and horrible back pain due to two herniated discs, and severe spinal stenosis from an injury. I've seen 3 doctors and have tried everything out there. Today my doctor prescribed 300mg of gabapentin 3 times a day. 5 hours ago, I took the first one and AMAZING! I can feel the pain going away!"

• Hon...
• May 18, 2021

"This is decent medication at a low dose like 100 mg twice a day, but the problem is the body will get used to that and will need a higher dose. A higher dose at 350 mg twice a day made me feel like I was drunk. People thought I was using heroin. I nodded off. I fell asleep standing at the ATM machine. So embarrassing. This stuff will make you have memory loss. You may think you see people who aren't there. It had people thinking I was doing hard street drugs. I wrecked my car on this medication, fell asleep standing in line at the grocery store, dropped too many drinks out of my hands to even count. This medication is awful, and for me, it is not beneficial due to the horrifying side effects. They give this stuff out in place of opiates. People are in rehab for this drug too. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, stay away from this awful so-called medication."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2014

"In mid-May, I suffered a back injury after heavy squatting in the gym. The pain progressively became worse to the point where I couldn't stand or walk. The doctor (I am a UK citizen) started me on Co-codamol and naproxen. This did not help, and I was unable to sleep for more than 2 hours a night. I was then put on amitriptyline, which did not work, as well as slow-release morphine, still with no relief. Yesterday (25th July 2014), my doctor advised switching from amitriptyline to Gabapentin. I started on 3x300mg tablets. Last night I had my first full night's sleep in 8 weeks. I cannot explain the relief I felt to wake up in the morning like a normal person again."

• Roy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2014

"Lumbar fusion, cervical fusion. 12 years of opiate treatment for the pain led to a large tolerance for these medicines. I'm opiate-free now. I have been put on Gabapentin. I love it. For me, the build-up of stiffness is more of a problem than the pain is. Don't get me wrong, it hurts! but I seize up the more I do physical activity. I'm on day 4. The stiffness is all gone. The pain is reduced to the lumbar area only, and only a 2 or 3 on the pain scale after a full day of housework. So many good reports out here, I thought I would share... thanks."

• jaw...
• July 15, 2014

"I had a back injury in the Marine Corps in 1989. I have had 7-9 on the pain scale for over 15 years. I have been on morphine 30mg 6 times a day, Vicodin 10/325 for over six years, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl patches 150mg every 72 hours, almost any pain medicine you can think of. I stopped my Vicodin cold turkey after six years. If you have been on pain meds, you know what withdrawal is and how painful it can be. I went right to gabapentin. Oh my God, thank you for this pill, it is amazing, absolutely zero withdrawal effects from the Vicodin, and I was on over 300mg a day for six years. I mean it, zero withdrawal symptoms. I feel zero back pain, and I mean zero. This pill is a miracle. I'm on 900mg 3 times a day."

• Lil...
• March 11, 2020

"I have metastatic breast cancer and I had a spinal tumor that was causing intense wrap-around pain in my right rib. I had radiation which helped a lot but I still experience very severe pain in my lower rib. I am only 35 and married with 3 kids and on so much OxyContin and Oxycodone for breakthrough pain that it causes me to feel like a zombie. I asked about gabapentin because my oncologist said it could be pain from damaged nerves from the tumor in my spine. I was started on 300 mg once a day yesterday to see if it works for me (my main goal is being able to take fewer opiates). It works GREAT! When I was just on opiates for the pain, they worked okay but I still couldn't sleep on my right side or even touch my right ribs without severe pain. With the added Gabapentin, I can't feel the pain at all and I'm so happy about this. I don't have to use as much of my breakthrough Oxycodone either. Another perk is that it helps with my hot flashes due to medically induced menopause."

• Nur...
• November 29, 2014

"This is the first medicine that dropped my back pain from 10 to a 2. I was on increasing oxycodone for years due to crushed back in an accident. Had 5 herniated discs L1 - L5, which eventually developed bone spurs and arthritis. Severe radiating leg pain would cause leg numbness and some great falls in public. Surgery was recommended - I declined. 15 years later, my psychiatrist prescribed it for anxiety/mood stabilizer to replace Depakote (also an anti-convulsant). 3 days later, I noticed I could get by with Advil and gabapentin. Why didn't my ortho surgeon give me this? I take 900 mg/day. Only been on it 3 weeks and I'm a different person."

• som...
• May 18, 2013

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I've been on Neurontin for almost 4 months, and it has given me relief for chronic pelvic pain. 300mg at night and 100mg mid-day was the initial dose, and at present, I'm on 300mg at night only. It has made the pain bearable, however, the side effects have been lethargy, headaches, aching eyes, and dreaming so vivid it leaves me hung over. I'm hoping this will improve with time. It has helped with the pain."

• Sky...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2019

"I was on Gabapentin for over 5 years for pain and anxiety. The withdrawal almost killed me. I'm still suffering months later. I have permanent damage to my bowels due to the fact that it numbed the signal to my brain that I needed to go to the bathroom. I gained significant water weight. I was unable to think clearly and would get lost driving to places I've been many times. It raised my hemoglobin to the point that I had to be hospitalized. I developed sleep apnea. I had 8 central sleep apneas in 30 minutes. I stopped breathing over 60 times an hour. This was all on less than 300 mg. I now lost 28 pounds, underweight and was unable to eat due to withdrawal. My doctor said it can take up to one year for the effects to wear off. I pray it does not last that long. This is a dangerous drug that is given out like candy."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

"I've been on Ultracet (Tramadol and Tylenol) for 20 years for extreme, unrelenting nerve and muscle pain. Because the US swings from one extreme to the other, the 'opioid epidemic' and forced tapering for all people - most especially chronic pain patients - has caused a great deal more suffering. No problems at all and effective pain relief from brand Ultracet. But the morons are pimping Gabapentin to pain patients and even dogs/cats by veterinarians as a 'replacement' for critical meds like Ultracet (and the real narcotics). Someone's making big money pushing useless Gabapentin on people and animals in pain. Useless at best, bizarre and scary psychiatric problems at worst. Avoid this medication. Gabapentin has an array of its own very serious problems, so best to avoid."

• Dut...
• April 19, 2014

"I have suffered from the pain of arthritis and disc degeneration in my lower back and neck. I also have fibromyalgia. As if that wasn't enough, I have been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This medication has been great for me. I've only been on it for 4 days and already my pain has been greatly reduced. I haven't had to take any Percocet, which is great. I have had to take a couple Tylenol. It has also really helped reduce my anxiety and depression. I really hope it keeps working. I take 300 mg around 1 PM and two 300 mg capsules at night. Side effects are minimal. I'm still a bit drowsy in the morning, but it's nothing a good cup of coffee won't cure. It has been a great medication for me."

• Ash...
• June 12, 2014

"I have been dealing with thigh pain/numbness and tingling for almost two years from a pinched nerve in my thigh and lower back. Doctors always say, 'LOSE WEIGHT!' Well, easier said than done. I am not that overweight. Finally met with a SMART neurologist. He said to throw away the meds they had me on before, which did nothing but MAKE me gain weight (Nortriptyline). He put me on Gabapentin 800mg. I was told to take half a tablet three times a day unless I needed more, which I don't. It has been three days. First time in almost two years I sleep through the night because the irritation is GONE. I sleep all night like a baby, wake up refreshed, and have ZERO pain in my leg. My coworkers say I am pleasant now. I have NO anxiety now as well! LOVE IT!"

• Ell...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 13, 2019

"I have taken Gabapentin for almost ten years for sciatic nerve pain. It works amazingly well for me. I take one 100mg capsule at bedtime. I sleep well, and I do not feel any sciatic pain. My internist has told me that I can take two capsules, but I have not needed to do this. I have not experienced any side effects from Gabapentin, although a friend of mine stopped taking it because it made her feel as though she were in a fog. I am grateful that this medication works for me."

• Bos...
• October 5, 2014

"I was diagnosed with neck hernia on C5/C6 with arthritis, and Gabapentin (paired with Physical Therapy exercises and a foam roller) truly helped out. The one interesting thing about Gabapentin is that it somehow knocked out my anxiety as well. It was really nice to be able to take a medicine that left me with no side effects but also improved another condition. I found out that taking Gabapentin with soda (I use Ginger-Ale) actually helps absorb it better than taking it with water. My dosage was 3600 mg per day. It's worth mentioning that you probably shouldn't drive when you take Gabapentin. Every individual is different, so try it out and see what works for you. This medicine has the ability to make things appear more 'vivid' while enhancing music and sound."

• Lan...
• January 21, 2015

"I can exercise now in less pain. Make sure you get the correct dosage that you feel comfortable with. If you take too little of a dosage, you may still have pain and lose hope in the medicine. It happened to me. I ended up doubling my dosage from 300mg to 600mg a day and feel so much better. I take 300mg twice a day as needed. I was originally on 100mg a day and it did nothing for me. Most people start off with 300mg."

• Big...
• November 10, 2013

"Started this medicine four days ago. I have been living with back and leg pain keeping me awake most of the night. I also have psoriatic arthritis along with herniated disks and leg pain. I take 300mg at night, and it worked from the first night!! Slept for the first time in years, not waking up with pain and remaining awake half the night. I would recommend this medicine to friends and family!!! Thank God the doctor put me on this!!"

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2019

"I have taken gabapentin for 1 1/2 years, 600mg x 3. I was addicted to morphine for years because of degenerative disc, 5 herniated discs. I flushed all my pain meds and between the gabapentin and Suboxone, I have very little pain and do NOT need heavy narcotics anymore. What really helped was that with the pain level lower, I was able to start exercising and feel 110%. Good luck and God Bless"

• Sat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2014

"I have a ruptured disc in my back (L5, S1) with my disc touching the sciatic nerve, giving me excruciating pain, and before this, my doctors had me on hydrocodone, Flexeril, and naproxen. This was no relief for me, the pain literally had me in tears at work and at all times of the day. There were days I wouldn't be able to sleep because of the pain. My lovely girlfriend told me to ask my primary care physician about this medicine, and I am so happy. I was at a level 9 pain this morning, and now I can be in any position I want without feeling the sciatic pain in my leg. I have absolutely zero pain now, and I am very, very happy! I got my life back. I am still doing the epidural steroid shot this week because I would like my disc to heal faster."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2020

"I take gabapentin for back pain, but what I'd really like to comment on is... please do not flush these types of meds down the toilet! If you want to discard them, take them to your local P.D., where they have a drug disposal box. Please don't put others at risk by putting them into the water supply where they may leak into the groundwater and poison people or wildlife. Thanks."

• Ltb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

"NOT happy. Was given this to take at night only for nerve pain. Have bulging disc and pinched nerve. Did absolutely nothing positively, but am having horrible side effects and am going to stop it. Memory loss, grogginess throughout the day, fuzzy thinking, headache, eye pain."

• RA ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2015

"I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis and I've been in constant pain since my diagnosis 4 years ago. The rheumatoid arthritis medications curbed the pain, but it was still 7 on a scale of 1-10 and it was debilitating. I've been on gabapentin for just 2 weeks and the pain is now down to a 2 on a scale of 1-10. Why didn't any of my doctors suggest this before now?"

• vvi...
• October 1, 2008

Neurontin (gabapentin) "Do not be put off by initial dopey feelings you may get when you start this medicine. For me, these feelings diminished after a day or so. I needed to have the dose increased to 3600mg daily to make my pain almost disappear. Each time the dosage was increased, I felt dopey for a bit, but it was only temporary. The reduction in pain and the good sleep I get is well worth any side effects. In my case, side effects are minimal. I have nerve damage resulting from ankle surgery for arthritis. Before I was put on Neurontin, my outlook on life was pretty bleak. I couldn't sleep, and the pain was excruciating. This drug has really helped me."

• kur...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 12, 2020

"Starting about 4 years ago, I started having headaches that began at the left side of the back of my head and migrated to the top back. It felt like a large knife was being pushed into my head and twisted. It was as horrible a pain as I could imagine. They woke me up in the middle of the night and would last hours. I have bipolar 2, which I am treated for. When they were over, I was totally exhausted and my day was shot. My psychiatrist finally had me try gabapentin, two 300 mg capsules per day. It worked immediately. I have had no full-blown headaches since then. It saved my life. I am lucky I did not lose my job. At times, my life was so miserable. They can only say I had atypical cluster headaches. Gabapentin saved me with no side effects."

• Sgw...
• July 27, 2015

"Because I am a recovering alcoholic, it is crucial for me to find non-narcotic treatment for the persevering pain of my chronic pancreatitis. I was feeling a bit hopeless with the repeated prescriptions of pain meds (which, of course, offer only temporary relief, and for me, a danger of overuse), until my GI prescribed me Gabapentin. This med has been incredibly successful in mitigating my pain, while also giving me huge energy. I’m a consistent runner, so this factor is welcomed, and allowing me to move forward with my sobriety. I give it four stars, though I realize like anything, it's not for everyone. That said, good luck to you all with finding what works."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2014

"I have a bulging disc (C4) which traps a nerve leading to severe pain in my right shoulder (at worst) and a near constant tingling and semi-numbness in my left lower arm and hand (at best). I've taken Gabapentin before and had been reluctant to try them again because of the drowsiness, fatigue, and general weirdness I felt the last time, but the pain got the better of me and so I capitulated. I take 1200mg 3 times a day and so far the sharp shoulder pain has gone, however the tingling has not. Apart from having great difficulty coming to full wakefulness in the morning, I feel completely hyperactive and a little manic - not a bad thing as I'm getting a lot done!"