I have idiopathic polyneuropathy affecting the left leg, foot, and thigh for the most part. I take Gabapentin 2400 mg a day, 800 mg thrice daily.

I tried reducing the dosage just to see if less would work for me. After a week, I was so miserable that I decided that the higher dose was beneficial. I went back to the 2400 mg daily, and I feel much better.

Ordinarily, Gabapentin manages the pain.

I don't see that taking a drug or medication, however you want to call it, that provides a distinct benefit is drug dependence in the pejorative sense.

Type 1 diabetics take insulin, rely upon the drug, and are not seen as drug dependent.

I think that we should not be so hard on ourselves. I hate the disability that the polyneuropathy imposes on me, but I decided to press on as much as I can.

Chris