pain relief for arthritis? gabapentin?

lizzy100
lizzy100 Member Posts: 235
edited 1. Jan 2014, 12:37 in Living with Arthritis archive
hi guys. iv been struggling but the site was saying my email wasn't registered when it is, grrrrr.
anyway i was wondering if anyone has tried more unusual things for pain. iv been in agony and paracetamol and ibuprofen/non steroidals aren't helping. I cant take anything codeine based and i cant take opioids, so i cant really take anything.
I was wondering if anyone has tried gabapentin for joint pain? i know its normally for nerve pain but just wondering. Iv tried amitryptaline before but it totally knocked me out.

Comments

  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm currently on Gabapentin along with a whole host of other meds including Amitriptyline! It's always worth trying a new med if your G.P thinks it might help. Especially when it comes to pain relief!!
  • Deb123
    Deb123 Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I've recently been put on gabapentin and I also take amatriptaline (excuse spelling) but I have fibromyalgia as well as arthritis. I struggled to start with on the GABA as I was told to take 300mg at night to start with the increase till I was up to 900mg at night. It totally wiped me out. I couldn't think straight , my head was sooooo foggy. So I spoke to my gp and he recommended that I start it at 100mg at night then gradually add in, but instead of taking it all at night to spread it to 3 x a day. This has worked for me. Don't think it's doing that much for my pain but I'm not up to full dose yet. The idea of them was to help me to sleep better at night so my body could rest properly and repair itself. All I can say is anything is worth a try as what works for some doesn't for others. :wink:

    Debbie x
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I take the amys to sleep, you do get used to it..a bit too used really has it wears off..and the gabapentin I am in the process of coming down off it..I found it really messes with my brain and have become very forgetful...am now down to 100mg 3 times a day and things have improved memory wise..and it really helps with the pain.
    Love
    Barbara
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The stronger the pain relief the more you are removed from the pain, not vice-versa. The only effective relief I have found to-date is general anaesthetic :) but the blasted pain always comes back because that is what it does. :( You certainly appear to be stymied on this front, I hope that the gaba can do something to help but not at too much of a cost to you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi; I take gabapentin but have to say it doesn't do much for my joint pain. I have PsA. If you can't take others though it's sure worth a try if your doc has recommended it. Hope it works for you!

    I have a painful neuropathy and it does help a lot with that pain. And yes, I agree with the others; it takes a toll on mental functioning, although that improves with time.

    Best wishes, Anna
  • lavenderlady
    lavenderlady Member Posts: 409
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on gabapentin for about 4 years now it was given to me to help with my muscle pain that is caused by my lupus, I admit my brain is foggy and memory is not too hot but with mum having dementia I have to keep reminding them its the medication I'm on

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