I have a low dose (100 mg capsules) on hand, and I might use them if I hadn't had such good luck/results with R-Lipoic Acid and B5. If you've tried all the supplements to no avail, it may be worth trying. I also feel doctors tend to prescribe it (initially) at too high a dose (on the recommendations of BIG PHARMA).

Be aware that it may address some types of PN pain, but not others, and only helps about 30% of patients who try it. It will do nothing for the numbness.

Doc

I don't know how the pharmaceutical execs sleep at night. I read an article in a very reputable paper that they pay people in india next to nothing to be guinea pigs for the drugs before they get to us here. many have died or worse. no way to sue because of signed contract and no arrests. I don't want to feel better from a drug at someone else's expense. but unfortunately I guess I am.

Consider the alternative—taking a new drug without benefit of human trials. You would BE the human trial. It's going to happen sooner or later. As long as patients are fully informed of potential risks, I think it's a necessary evil. The real crime is if they're testing on people unknowingly or without full disclosure—e.g. MKUltra, et al.

Never mind India— Unethical human experimentation in the United States

Doc

I'm reading about mkultra now. it's horrifying. I get the suspicious feeling that pharma probably does things we don't know about but it is what it is. life has never been fair I guess. thanks for the good read

Neurontin was tested off label on millions
Of patients off label for pain and bipolar.

Pfizer paid a huge fine over this experiment.
The sales reps even sat in on patient cosultations
To help doctors choose candidates for this
Illegal activity.

You can find many Google sites discussing
This.

Today the results of this experiment reveals
that only about 30% of pain patients find
Effectiveness with Neutonin/gabapentin.

I could not even finish reading the link you provided. It just blew my mind to see the amount of tests done to unknowing people. And at some of the top hospitals in the US.

I was born in 1962....In 1963 my mom had become almost a crazy woman due to problems with her thyroid. We were stationed at Travis AFB, CA at the time. The Air Force flew a plane from CA to TN just to pick up some type of radioactive drug to give my mother. It burned her whole thyroid up. And my father had to have a vasectomy because if they had anymore children the dr's told them they would be deformed So it's just me and my brother (my parents wanted 6 children) and my mom is still living at 83......on thyroid meds of course.

I was seeing some of the articles had the dates of 62 and 63. Awful stuff they did.

Sorry about changing the subject.

Debi from Georgia

I've been using Gabapentin for my Neuropathy for about 3 years now. I am on 3600M a day. Always in a Fog, have had the weight gain, and other side effects.. but better than the pain. Message me for more info if you want.
(Started at 800 a day) those were the days.

Thanks to all of you who responded to my request related to Gabapentin. I have always been extremely reluctant to take ANY medication...and this one is no exception...and, in fact, I actually am fearful about taking it. From what I was able to determine from your responses, it's a question of getting some relief with the possible issue of uncertain and unpleasant side effects...something that I'll have to wrestle with. Susanne C...if symptoms seem to be just a nuisance, I may want to put Gaba off for a while. I discussed this with my new internist this past Tuesday, and she more or less agreed w/this...even suggested that I start w/Tramadol for pain (but, to be very careful about constipation). I was given Tramadol when I was in the hospital in January for a broken hip so that wouldn't be new to me and I just might feel more comfortable using something more familiar to me than the Gaba. Groucho...you mentioned Tramadol, too. How does that "work"for you? You also mentioned "decent days"...that's exactly how I would describe my days at this point, Groucho...so thankful for "decent days"...just wondering if I should consider these to be just "nuisance days"...but, then, when I do have the burning, pain and stiffness, I probably should consider trying the Gaba. Maybe I'll just start using the Tramadol to start. As you can see, I have a dilemma. Dac122 and Mike K. switched to Gralise...had been taking Gaba...how would you compare it to Gaba? Effectiveness? Side effects?

Again, thank you to all...Susanne C, Markneil 1212, Groucho, Debi, Dac 122, Mike K, Cholecasey and IllPn (hope I didn't omit anyone)...I appreciate the input from all of you...now, I just have to decide what I should do. If the pain and burning becomes intolerable, I guess I will just have to opt to try the Gaba. I have been suffering with this for 2 years...had an internist who did nothing to pursue it...told me it was arthritis...and, when I asked if it could be Neuropathy, his response was: "Yes..it could be, but there's nothing you can do about that." I should have moved on to another internist at that time. I just hope this hasn't gotten such a "hold"on me that there will be very little that can be done for me. I have read that if/when this is "caught"early, the chances for getting relief are better. Hopefully, I will still be able to get some relief. I also hope that all of you will get the relief you need.

Thank you...Virginia Therese

has increased my appetite very much and has made me drowsy but it certainly worth it to not wake up and horrifying burning pain. But that is my situation thank you

I didn't tolerate neurontin well. I take Lyrica right now, though would gladly swap to someting else if it offered close to 3/4 of the relief. The side effects are tolerable for me with how bad the electric nebulas (how I think of them) randomly zapping in my legs, light burning sensation (compared to what others have documented) can be.

I continue to gravitate toward any potential natural or OTC relief I can find. But a full time job and two kids under 10= find something that enables better function with minimal side effects. Thankfully for me Lyrica is not the horror show of side effects it is for others. I take tramadol as needed, which lately is more than I care for.

As always, results may and probably will, vary.

Jon