I have been prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin) by my Neurologist for Large Fiber Neuropathy. After doing some research on the the drug, I find that the reactions are very similar to the that of Lyrica. I am having back pain, tingling, a feeling that my lips and finger nail areas are cracking and have a headache most of the time. I am wondering if taking this drug and the having the reactions is worth the minimal help it is giving me.... Anyone have this problem that can help???

Hi ~ These side effects almost always go away after you've been on the drug for a little while. But if you aren't getting much benefit from the drug, I'd ask to be switched to something else - perhaps Topamax. I haven't had ANY side effects from Topamax, although I'm sure some people have. I've taken Neurontin before, and it didn't help much at all, but TOPAMAX has taken away ALL the burning, tingling, zapping type pain from neuropathy that I had. I've been taking 400mg per day for quite some time now, and ALL the symptoms are gone.

That's pretty good results in my book. Best of lucik and I hope you get some results soon. Hugs, Lee

I've been taking Gabapentin since March. I developed a case of Trigeminal Neuralgia after a car accident & was prescribed gabapentin. I started getting other neuralgia pains since that time.

In the past few months I've started having some anxiety issues & now I'm having troubles sleeping.
I'm missing so much work, it's not even funny. I can't for the life of me force myself to go to work.
I'm thinking it's a mild form of depression.

My symptoms can all be side effects from Gabapentin.

I will be talking to my Dr. this week. I want off the meds!!

The pain I can deal with, but the mental stuff forget it.

Just so you know -- there is a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT regarding NEURONTIN. Evidently it's about the drug causing the lower limbs to swell. I haven't read the lawsuit yet, but all you have to do is look it up - do a search on it. I'll do the same. Hugs, Lee

Is the lawsuit just for the states? I'm a Canadian, I wonder if our laws are the same, it's way more difficult to sue, for anything, here in Canada.

Thanks for that info, though. I'll look into it.

I have been on Neurontin since 2004 for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I have tried almost all the anti-seizure meds and it's the only that has ever helped. I have short term memory problems from it and sometimes it still makes me sleepy. When I was first on it my legs and ankles swelled, my dr. prescribed a water pill and it has taken care of that problem. I will endure all the side effects although the memory problems does bother me because it helps with my pain. I am on disability my job put me on it. I don't know if now I would be able to work but I guess it's up to each individual whether the trade off of the side effects is worth it to them.

Neurontin is a very effective medication for neuropathic pain. It has a relatively "clean" side effect profile. Some of your symptoms may be related to Magnesium deficiency and that might be an avenue to look into before discontinuing the medication