I wonder what dosage your doctor was giving you on the amitriptyline and nortriptyline? (Dosage for treating PN is usually much lower than the standard dosage used for depression.)

As for gabapentin, everyone's experience is different. I've been taking it for almost a year and a half. In my case, it is very effective for controlling twitching and cramping - so it might work for your "spasms". For me, the side effects aren't terrible - it's somewhat sedating and it does have a negative effect on libido. (I am male, so not sure how it might affect a female in that regard.) All in all I'd rather not be taking gabapentin - but the benefits are outweighing the side effects for me right now.

He had me on the lowest doses to start. With both meds I was bumped up a dosage before the side effects began.

I took my first dose last night, 100 mg. I felt really weird this morning and it took a while for me to wake up. But I'm on spring break so no biggie. I went for a 7 mile jog at the park. I felt a bit sluggish, BUT and this is a big but my feet did not curl under and my legs kept a normal gait. It was pretty darn awesome. Starting to have some mild burning and that sensation of having feet made of broken glass this afternoon. Doc wanted me to take two doses today. Probably won't do that for a while. As of now, gabapentin gets a high rating from me. Hoping that I am able to continue using it without any severe side effects.

I'm glad to hear it's helping. None of us want to be on medication if we don't absolutely have to. But gabapentin is certainly not the worst.

For me, the drowsiness moderates once you get used to your dosage. Actually, I don't mind that aspect - it helps me sleep through the night very soundly, but I'm still awake during the day. And, I travel by car a lot for work so that is important for me. Obviously, use the lowest effective dose, and move up as necessary based on your symptoms. The typical does is 1800/day and some go as high as 3600/day. I was on 1800, then backed down to 1500 but below that symptoms get much worse.

So glad to hear that the drowsiness will get better. This morning I woke up fine, but I am feeling a little spacey.

I have been on Gabapentin for about 5 months now and am up to 2100mg/day. The drowsiness/spaciness only last for 2 days or so when I up the dosage and after that it subsides and I feel normal.