Confused about gabapentin...

[silverwings87]

so, I understand that gabapentin is used in nerve pain for ms. what I'm wondering is about the other uses besides pain. my neurologist just decided to try it, the first medication I've been on for my symptoms, and I've got twitching, tremors and tingling and numbness ect. but no pain.

so my question is have any of you been on gabapentin for other uses beside pain and has it helped much?

[trisca]

I'm on gabapentin for muscle spasms. I'm not convinced it's doing anything, I find massage is better at dealing with the spasms. The dr told me it would make me feel better over all, stronger and more "upright."

[DrGeoff]

The original use for Gabapentin was as an anti-epileptic.
Now it is good for neuropathic pain as well.

We have two sorts of pain sensors in our bodies - slow/deep and shallow/fast. Think about touching a hot stove and you take your hand away really fast, a deep cut will "throb" almost continually (Until dealt with). What Gabapentin does is to prevent the random firing of the synapses that act as relay stations in our nerves.

So, the "electric shock" type of neuro pain is one or more synapses in the shallow/fast category firing at random. The pain where the whole leg (for example) feels like it's being crushed is down to the slow/deep synapses running wild.

It's use against muscle spasms is interesting - Baclofen would be the standard medication for this. Of course, if the spasms are a synapse firing in the opposite direction, the Gabapentin might work, but I have not heard of this case., although is is starting to be considered for migraine relief.

Geoff

[milesap]

I take it for nerve pain. It only is for nerve pain and works similar to Lyrica. If you do not have nerve pain then why are you taking it?. It does have side effects.

[silverwings87]

I take it for nerve pain. It only is for nerve pain and works similar to Lyrica. If you do not have nerve pain then why are you taking it?. It does have side effects.

That is my question... it seems to stop my feet buzzing, but I'd rather have buzzing feet then be even more tired and foggy.... I just don't understand why it's the first med my Nero would try..

[centenarian100]

silver: There is no medication specifically for treating a "feet buzzing" sensation, so your neurologist probably just wanted to try something that is used for neuropathic pain since it is somewhat similar (I'm guessing). gabapentin at high doses can cause some sedation, and if the side effects are worse than the benefits, you may want to consider getting off of the medication.

[santanabmw]

I am on this 3 weeks now plus another med. My dose is 300 x 3 times daily and I find it is doing nothing for the spasms,numbness and pins n needles. just to say I was really drowsy for about 2 weeks but that does ease off. so if it is doing anything for the pain stick with it the drowsy feeling will go. I am going to be speaking to my Neurologist on Monday about increasing the dose as I might as well be taking a placebo at this stage( and this is after 2 courses of steroids oral and IV)