I am rereading this thread today. And I think I am seeing GABA being used as an abbreviation for gabapentin?

GABA also refers to the gaba receptors (and Benzos work on that receptor system). Gabapentin, while it has the first four letters...
"gaba" is totally different. GABA supplements are very different from gabapentin.

It is best to type out what drug family you are referring to:
GABA or gabapentin. I know it is confusing.

Gabapentin and Lyrica belong to the class of anticonvulsants.

Gaba drugs are typically Benzodiazepines (Valium and Klonopin).

I have used the Gaba supplement off and on for some yrs and it's in my sleep remedy. The supplement Gaba is a calmer as is Inositol, L-Theanine, Lemon Balm and I've worked with them all.

Yrs ago when I was told I have the Fibro syndrome, I tried the amitriptyline as it was one of the drugs suggested for this Fibro stuff. I call it stuff as far as I can tell now after the dx in 1999, it is so much that is gone wrong in our systems. Thyroid, hormones, adrenals etc etc....I didn't take the drug very long as it did nothing for me. I take ALL supplements except for ibuprofen and bp drug and thyroid for my issues.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant drugs that work on GABA neurotransmittion, not a supplement
That would be pregabain and gabapentin from anticonvustant
Pregabain made me twitch so I was assuming that similar family drugs may have similar side effects
I may be wrong of course, but I'll rather try a different drug family first, that's why I was thinking of tricyclic antidepressants
I'm just a bit unsure about QT prolonging on a small dose as I have history of arrhythmia

from what I see on Google sites, gabapentin does not work on Gaba receptors.

http://www.rxlist.com/neurontin-drug...armacology.htm

OTC Gaba products and RX benzodiazepines (like Valium and Klonopin) are GABA agonists...and bind to the Gaba receptors. So don't expect OTC GABA supplements to help much with pain.
They are marketed to address anxiety and panic attacks.

This article is fairly recent and goes into more detail about gabapentin pharmacology.
http://link.springer.com/article/10....-0057-y#page-1

Thanks a lot, it looks like I've confused many facts

What would be most important me right now:
Is gabapentin and pregabain work on the same pathways? E.g. If I had bad reaction to pregabaine would I have similar on gabapentin?

yes, both gabapentin and pregabalin work as anticonvulsants.
The pregabalin is more potent and a newer product.
Other anticonvulsants do work on neuropathic pain
Carbamazepine
oxcarbazepine
lamactil
vimpat (rather new for neuropathic pain
Dilantin (however this has been found to actually cause PN)

Some doctors use benzodiazepines which have mild anticonvulsant actions in some people,
for neuropathic pain. But in the long run these tend to cause more pain overall, and
so this treatment is falling into less use. These drugs are also habit forming and hard
to discontinue.

Thank you for that extensive list
I know that both are anticonvusants, I was just wondering same side effects in the same person
You call gabapentin less potent pregabaine, but is it really it? If it is I guess I should rather try other drug from that class or other class of drugs altogether

Pregabalin shares some chemistry with gabapentin. There are slight differences but Gabapentin is its precursor. Pregabalin was basically developed to do what gabapentin does without the absorbability problem. it absorbs faster and is retained longer with better efficacy. Does it really work for neuropathy as all these TV ads claim? i personally dont see it. it just zombifies you. I have taken both and Lyrica offered some (and i mean small) relief but the side effects outweighed the benefits.

Now that clarifies it, I see no reason to go on gabapentin in that case

I must tell you however that pregabaine was extremely effective for me, one week and 50mg/day did it work, 90% reduction of pain

Involuntary movements and twitching were scary though, I'm still not sure if it's side effect or something else, but they stopped after stopping lyrica
I asked neuro who said that EMG didn't show it either, so I guess it must be the side effect, at least I hope so

Well you have to weigh the side effects and the relief then. For me, there was not enough relief for all the other stuff. my joints stiffened up, my reaction time was slowed, I had a hard time waking up in the morning, I felt like a different person. I wasnt who i wanted to be for my family.