The other day my doctor put me on Gabapentin for neuropathy pain which I experience after my IVIG treatments. Has anyone else been put on that? Can you share your experience?
Thanks so much!!!

I have been taking Gabapentin since 2007 to help with the pain in my lower back caused by a fall 20+ years ago down a flight of steps which has resulted in two degenerative disk in my lower back. I was diagnosed with MG in 2009 so I had been taking Gabapentin before the MG happened.

I haven't seen any conflict with the two, the Gabapentin still helps with the pain in my lower back but now that I am also taking Prednisone (for about two years) to control my eye muscles due to MG, I do believe that the Gabapendin's affectiveness is being deminished by the effect the Prednisone is having on my bones. Two steps forward, one step back.

Dealing with multiple drugs and the effects they have on each other is very frustrating. But I will keep taking it as long as I feel there is some relief.

Hope my experience helps you. Everyone has different experiences with medicines.

Southern Bell

First, let me say that I think finding the REASON why someone has a neuropathy should come before throwing a drug at it. Now, I'm saying that knowing full well what a neuropathy feels like and it doesn't feel good! You only have to go to the neuropathy forum here to find all of the many reasons for having one. One many think of immediately is a B12 deficiency. MS also comes to mind. Guillain-Barre is yet another.

Have you tried Tylenol or any other drug for the pain?

Sure, we all react differently to drugs. I'm glad it works for you, Southern Bell. But Gabapentin/Neurontin is one that can not only make MG worse - due to how it works - but has been shown in studies to actually CAUSE MG. I'm not saying that to ward you off of the drug but to make you aware of all possibilities. What you do is your decision.

Do you experience pain only after IVIG? Where you having it before that? If IVIG is causing a neuropathy, have they considered running a chem panel afterwards to see if any of your electrolytes are off? WHERE is the neuropathy? Is it localized or generalized? Can you use something like a "Boo Boo Buddy" on it? That's an actual name of a cool gel pack, used for kids so as to not a cause cold-induced injury to the nerves.

You have to be your own best advocate. You might want to discuss this with your primary doctor, who is supposed to keep your entire health picture in mind. Sometimes doctors throw a drug at a symptom because they want to help a patient and their complaints. Symptoms are not "causes" and a cause, in my opinion, should always be attempted to be found.

Pain isn't fun to live with but neither is an MG crisis. Please talk to someone about your concerns.

Annie

I've been experiencing bad widespread muscle pain for about 2 and a half years. My pain mngmt dr tried me on Gabapentin... Didn't help, and within 3 weeks I was barely able to brush my teeth... I noticed pretty quickly the increased weakness, but I had no idea that the meds were doing it until my hubby looked it up when it had gotten really bad.
Jess

THANK YOU all soooo much for your input!!! I did look this drug up on the internet when I got home and haven't taken it yet because I saw that it could aggravate the MG. Now that I have all of your input I don't think I will try it.
What a wonderful place we have found to share and educate one another as we journey with this disability. Thank you all again!!

I don't miss a day without checking this board. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike

Wow I have taken Gabapentin for about 6 years and never noticed it made me weaker. But I recently stopped taking it since it no longer helped prevent my migraines. LOL.