Hello,
I am sure this has been discussed before. The neurologist that I saw wrote me a script of 600 mg of gabapentin once a day. She started me off on 300 mg for the first week At bedtime then go up to the 600 mg the next week. My question is does gabapentin take a while to accumulate in your sustem to get the full benefit from it? Also does this seem like a low dose? I just don't see how there would be pain management of one 600 mg dose per day.

Thanks

--depending on your size/weight, that dosage might range from a small one to a very small one. It's not uncommon, though, for doctors to start people out on fairly small doses of gabapentin and other anti-epileptics for nerve pain to see how effective they will be, and to see how prominent side effects will be.

Gabapentin side effects include short-term memory difficulties, general lethargy, and fluid retention/weight gain/carb craving. These are fairly common side effects among this class of medications; it seems as if the body responds to a lessening of neural propogation by acting as if it wants to hibernate. these side effects vary widely among individuals, though, and often lessen in time as the body acclimates to the dosage, which is why some people eventually have their dosages ramped up to get better pain symptom control. There have certainly been people on up to 2400mg to even 4800mg/day, though the "additive" effect of additional dosing tends to decrease at higher levels, since gabapentin is not metabolized in the liver but is instead excreted whole through the kidneys at a fairly constant rate. For this reason, higher doses are better taken broken up into three or four doses each day.

Here is some additional information:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post829091-8.html

It has been shown over time, that only about 30% of people get success from gabapentin. It is thought that its major effects on pain occur in the spinal cord by blocking signals from going to the brain. Over time there appears to be a tolerance factor, and relief may occur, and then wear off and require higher doses, until there is a plateau and relief is gone.

Avoid magnesium orally in any form (antacids and supplements) as magnesium complexes gabapentin and prevents absorption from the GI tract. That warning should be on your pharmacy handout that came with your medication.

Report any major side effects to your doctor.

I made this post just before the gabapentin link above to be an overview of how neurons work. You might find it helpful for understanding how gabapentin (and other pain drugs) may or may not help.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post828704-7.html

Hi ~ I was on Gabapentin (Neurontin) for awhile, and I just HATED it. It made me feel loopy, and not only that but I gained 30 lbs in WATER weight! My legs and feet were swollen something terrible, and i told my doc that this just was not acceptable.

I did some research on similar drugs, and found an article on Topamax -- some people call it "Dopamax." lol Anyway, I asked my doc if we could try it, and he put me on it. It does NOT dope me up like people say -- but perhaps it does others, I don't know. All i know is I lost ALL the water weight and then some. I don't feel loopy. AND - all the burning pain is gone!!! I get no more zaps either. I used to get "electrical" zaps along with tingling and the feeling of water running down my legs. That doesn't happen anymore either. So it works great in my book.

Just thought i'd let you know my experience. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

Thanks for the replies. I bumped my gabapentin up to 900 mg per day. It seems to me that it is working some what. I don't think I am playing mind games with myself hoping that it works. It's good to know that there are other meds out there that might work. I want to stay away from the pain meds. Hoping that my next test might pinpoint where this pn is coming from

So what you are saying is cut my nine hundred up throughout the day. This is good to know. Why waste the dope

. I am way past people judging me. That is irrelevant and takes no space in my brain.

Welcome to Neuro Talk. While taking this new medicine, just keep a journal for your doctor. Sometimes the dose starts lower to see how you do on it. I am not sure what the theraputic dose is for your particular circumstances. There is a wide range of doses that people take on Neuro Talk. Welcome again, and explore all the boards. ginnie

I did have communication with my neuro on increasing my dosage. I would really like to know what the therapeutic dose would be for my situation. I quess you have to experiment with it until you find out. Thanks Ginnie

If you tolerate the drug OK. I don't doubt your doctor will increase it until you get some measure of relief. Let me know how it goes. I tried the drug myself, and didn't do that great on it. Some do, some don't, it is best to go slow, and up the dose weeks or even months apart. Let me know how you feel on it. Do you have depression at all? ginnie