@donsabi

Gabapentin has a warning about suicidal thoughts.
http://www.drugs.com/gabapentin.html

Also --where do you apply your Lidoderms? And where exactly is your pain?

Application site can make a huge difference in response.

--often due to the twin mechanisms of fluid retention and carbohydrate craving, is a fairly common and well-documented side effect of Gabapentin.

This effect is common with many of the anti-epileptic medications, with the interesting exception of Topomax, which is more often associated with weight loss.

The common side effects are listed in the insert given with Gabapentin/Neurontin prescriptions:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsa...129s027lbl.pdf

MrsD

I put the Lidoderm patch directly on the pain sight that was mainly the ball of my foot.

glenntaj,

I am aware of the side effects stated by the manufacture of these meds. I was asking for the personal experiences from those actually taking the meds mentioned.
If we are to believe all the side effect in the C.Y.O.A. statement provided by the pharmaceutical companies then we might as well sum it up in one statement, "the sky is falling," and simply not take those medications.

--I certainly gained weight on gabapentin--about 10-15 pounds--and noticed I craved a lot of cake. It almost seemed as if my body was getting ready to hibernate for the winter.

It's taken me quite a while to get rid of most of that weight, and I have now been completely off of the med for almost five years.

I put 1/2 patch on the instep of the foot because that is where the nerves are that feed the foot. I have sesamoiditis in both feet in the balls of the feet and where I place my patch results in total numbing and relief. I have also put a 1/2 patch around the ankle just above the inner ankle bone...this is where the major nerve enters the foot.

http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...e-Anatomy.html
more detail at this link:
http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...-the-Foot.html


The skin on the bottom of the foot is very thick, and penetration of the lidocaine in the patches will not be good there.

When used on the top of the foot, coverage is so good, you may find walking difficult as the numbness can be bothersome.
Hence when I need the patches on the foot, I put them on at night and remove in the daytime. The skin on the top of the foot is very thin, and the nerves very close to the surface. You can tap your foot with a hard object and get zings in those nerves,
which is calls Tinel's sign. Alot of positive Tinel's suggests entrapment issues.

Check the website I gave you more thoroughly if you want.
Metatarsalgia
http://www.northcoastfootcare.com/pa...Foot-Pain.html

This sublink shows the various mechanical causes of foot pain in the area you seem to have.

MrsD

Thanks for those links. Great information!

I have been on Gabapentin for about 6 months I havent had any problem with gaining weight, But I dont eat like I should as I am afraid to eat as just about everything I want has carbs, I also have a craving for cakes and white rolls.