This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

My neuro put me on gabapentin for pain in my legs and hips. Fatigue was an issue and now I'm even more fatigued.. My balance is of as well. Is this usual?

For me, any medication to reduce pain, spasticity, makes me weaker.

I was given Gabapentin for nerve pain a few years ago before I was diagnosed with MS...nerve pain that was MS pain and at that time my balance became really awful. But was it the Gabapentin or the MS??? My guess is that the Gabapentin makes one's balance worse. But what was even worse for me was that I gained weight horribly while I was on the stuff. The only good thing to come of it for me was that I was finally able to sleep after months of not being able to get a single good night's sleep.

without gabapentin, my feet feel as though i have electric current running across my soles.
i don't know if it makes me weaker (i'm fairly weak), but i doubt i'd stop taking it to find out.
elyse

All I can say is avoid this (if you're taking for nerve pain)
it causes suicidal feelings and worsens depression
Try Epitol if you have nerve pain, little to no side effects (dry mouth for most)
and $4 at pharmacy

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http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maledictesjewels

Maledicte,
Thank you for that information. I do not need to add to my depression.
Wishing you a great new year.
elyse

Depression is a *potential* side effect, not guaranteed. If you've been using gabapentin already without new/increased depression there's no reason to stop (unless/until you *do* have side effects, of course)...

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RRMS dx 3/3/11; Copaxone since 12/1/11

I don't think depression - esp to the point of planning suicide is worth
someone risking gabapentin

You sound like a pzfizer salesman
Epitol (if you look it up) has little to 0 side effects

On the other hand, pfizer has had SEVERAL lawsuits for fraud
but hey, let's risk depression

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http://www.etsy.com/shop/Maledictesjewels

I felt more tired when I first started taking gabapentin, but once I built up to an effective dose, that tired feeling went away, although I still struggle with fatigue, which to me feels different that a drug induced tiredness.

I've tried to reduce my dose a couple times by 300mg/day but each time my neuropathic pain returned within a day or two, which is proof enough to me that the gabapentin is working.

I haven't had any depression issues, but my DMD also warns depression as a potential side effect so if I did start to suffer depression I wouldn't know what medicine, if any, was the cause. I'm thinking any side effects would show up early on when taking any new drug, but I may be wrong.

I also have balance problems, but I never noticed any increased balance issues since taking gabapentin, although they may have gotten worse and I just didn't notice....

Mike