Fibromyalgia & Gabapentin

CarlyF

All,

I just wanted to make this topic to help others if they have had suggested to them to start Gabapentin for treatment of Fibromyalgia.

Initially diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis Jan 2009 - 200mg hydroxy-chloroquine seems to keep my joint pains / rheumatic symptoms at bay. On top of that I turned to a gluten free diet which also stops the aching/burning of my joints. Since Dec/Jan 2011 i've got worse with mostly fatigue - yes i ached every day but that i could cope with - being so tired I couldn't manage a day at work I couldn't cope with.

Anyway, my rhumy doc took bloods in March, though I might have developed Fibromyalgia but as my thyroid was low he first tried thyroxin... which helped a bit... my day at work seemed easier but I couldn't do anything outside of work.

After trying thyroxin, I gave in to starting with Gabapentin - I just thought that it was quite a powerful drug, messing with your brain chemistry and I didn't quite like the idea of that.

However, I'm now on 200mg 3 x a day and I've had such a positive result.

1. Fatigue is almost fully under control
2. Pain - is very minimal
3. Side effects (i notice) - maybe a slightly upset tummy, but I'm hoping it goes away.

After the first night of taking just 100mg of Gabapentin, i woke up feeling 'different' but good... like i'd had a proper nights sleep... and since then i just think its improved so much more. The weekend just past I spent 2 days walking around shops/towns/the beach almost all day when visiting my parents, they were so impressed with my activity/outlook... its really helped me that much.

I hope this post helps anyone else who has just been told about this drug to try

jilly

Hi I had to reply to your post we are so alike, I was diagnosed with inflamatory arthritis last year , I had already been diagnosed with thyroid 6 months before , In the last couple of months i have been diagnosed with fibro . I was started on pregabalin which has really helped , i think it is the same as Gabapentin just a newer version. I am on Hydroxy for the inflamatory arthritis but only been on it for a couple of months it is not helping much .
I think there are quite a lot of people with the same mix of problems it makes you think what causes us to have the mix of illness , thyroid , inflamatory and fibro .
all the best ...........jillyx
PS Yes the pregabalin is working well for me to , I have found it stops me having pain all over , with the pregabalin i can say just where in my body the pain is coming from which means i can coupe better.

julie47

Morning carlyf

what a great post to read.....that the gabapentin is making you feel soooo much better. I am so pleased for you.
I hope you continue to feel well for a long long time.

Take care
juliepf x

wannabewriter

Me too! Well, they thought maybe inflam arthritis at first, but apparently not – just thyroid and fibro (and OA in knees). Apparently fibro and thyroid go together strongly, and my rheumy is so interested in it he’s referred me to the endocrinologist to see if having combined therapy (T3 nd T4 – not overly common prescription and not one your gp can give you, bah) instead of just T4 would also alleviate the fibro symptoms. I’ll keep you posted on that, as I’m almost certain that might have something to do with it, as on bloods I’m coming up as fine on TSH and T4 (even a bit towards hyper instead of hypo, apparently), but I’m still gaining weight eating lettuce, have dry skin, and all the muscular aches and pains and the fatigue to boot. If you’re interested, I can keep you posted on how that all goes to see if it might also help you?

Wx

frogmorton

Carly

thank you so much for this post - how lovely to hear of something which actually helps someone!!!

I tried it many years ago and got up to the max dose sonething stupid like 3600mg a day and no luck :sad: but l am thrilled for you!

Love

Toni xx