Does anyone take gabapentin for fibromyalgia?

[deeindiana]

After a recommendation from my rheummy, I spoke with my family doctor about my chronic pain from fibromyalgia. She prescribed gabapentin. Just wondered if anyone here uses it. You all know how new medications can sometimes cause our bodies to over-react! Just hoping to get some input before i start taking it. Thanks!

[Carolina]

Dear dee,

I take gabapentin for Small Fiber Neuropathy.  SFN occurs when the small nerves is the skin are damaged and send pain signals constantly.  It is often called "skin on fire' syndrome.

AND, I take lots of gabapentin (3600 mg a DAY because that's what it takes to stop the SNF).  AND I have found that it helps with all of my pain.

Gabapentin essentially stops the signals from your nerves from reaching your brain (VERY unscientific description).  Whatever is causing the pain is still there, but you don't 'get the message', and so don't have the pain.

Try it.  I'm SURE your initial dosage will be very low.  I started fairly low and then increased until the pain was gone.  I take my dosage in three installments during the day.

The only side effect I notice is a slight slowing down and sleepiness.  I am retired, and the pain was already exhausting, so I chose slight sleepiness over living in a cage of pain (my own skin).

So you can give it a try.  It should start working right away.

Cymbalta is also on label for many types of pain. 

As for any medication, 'your mileage may vary'.  We are all very different, to say the least.

Keep us posted!

Regards,  Elaine

[susanep]

Hello,
Yes, I take it for fibromyalgia. At first I didn't like it due to it making me feel like I would sway a bit, and had to be careful not to sway into the wall. But now, I would not want to be without it, because it helps so much, and it's only sometimes I feel that a bit now with swaying. It's just something I am alert about now. I hope it helps you.

susanep

[deeindiana]

Thank you! That is encouraging to hear. Im going to try it this weekend. It would be a relief to get away from the pain.

[irish]

Good luck girl. Irish

[zopdeep]

Gabapentin was not helpful for me, but Lyrica was. So you have options. Good luck!

[quietdynamics]

Hello deeindiana,

I was taking Cymbalta alone for fibro.
Fibro was at a 'bone crushing' level in my wrist and legs, in hips trouble walking and I would stop in my tracks literally.
I was maxed at the highest level of Cymbalta  60mg x's 2/ day.

DH was using Neurontin (gabapentin) ( for diabetic neuropathy and suggested.
So mentioned to Dr.
We added and the combo worked so I could walk and manage stairs. And then lowered dosage of cymbalta.
The neurontin was a major benefit.

Later, another Dr. added a test for Vit D and B's. Result deficient in both D and B12.. added theraputic supplement (and monitored) and I felt relief from bone and muscle pain. Summer and winter doses are a bit different for VitD3 as I get more sun (VitD is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin).

I did recently read that gabapentine should be taken 3x's per day as dosing for higher efficacy .. so I am going to ask my Dr. about that.
Gabapentin and Cymbalta mostly affect receptors of pain.. I did need to see a neurologist due to other symptoms of debilitating 'migraines' (which were neuro that were severe, almost stroke-like, and necessitated the only few times I went to ER.) Neuro Rx'd Topamax (anti-epilepsy med) and  is also used for Fibro. So there are options. And sometimes we need combinations.