Past and present Gabapentin users... advice please
 

My Neurologist put me on Gabapentin almost two weeks ago. He told me it would take time for it to build up in my system before it would start working.

It has been almost two weeks now and I have noticed an improvement in the frequency and intensity of my headaches over the past two or three days, which is great. However I have also noticed in the past few days that I am feeling more sad and blue, I even cried a bit this morning for no reason at all really. I have only cried once since my injury, and that was more because of exhaustion then anything else. I am usually a very happy person. In fact, I have been surprised how upbeat and positive I have remained throughout this process.

Anyways, depression is one of the possible side effects of this med, and I am worried that my recent emotions/mood is because of it. I am thinking of weaning of off it in a few days if I still feel the same. I would rather have the headaches then feeling the way I do now all the time.

For those of you who have taken or are taking Gabapentin, what have your experiences been? Did you have any of the side effects, did it affect your mood? Any advice or words of wisdom are welcome and much appreciated.

Thanks

unfortunately, i am not on gabapentin....however, I also began to get extremely tearful and more depressed as time has gone on. And my antidepressants that are being used for headache control (nortriptyline) and on celexa havent seem to help much with the depressive symptoms. Prior to the injury i had zero issues with depression and was a very energetic happy person. So part of me thinks the emotional lability is more from the PCS sequela as opposed to a side effect of the drug. Definetly discuss with your doctor as well. And also worth considering talking with a therapist about everything thats happening because what we all are experiencing is a form of trauma and very overwhelming. good luck

gabapentin
 

Hi there, I've been on Gabapentin for the last 6ms and for me it is really helpful. I have RSD in my right arm,wrist,hand that has spread up my shoulders and down to my left arm and hand. I also take Cymbalta for pain and depression (caused by the RSD) just 60mg per day. not necessarily enough but thats a different story. I am currently taking 1 300mg pill @ 11am and 3 300mg pills at 8pm of my Gabapentin. I did not notice worsening depression symptoms after starting it. I find that the Gabapentin does take my burning down to about a 4 or 5 from its usual 8 or 9. I do also have more releif with my Cymbalta/Gabapentin combo than with just gabapentin alone. Hope this has been helpful.

Ruby,

What dose of gabapentin are you taking? I have not heard of it being prescribed for head ache.

I take 900 mgs a hour or more before bed. It is really helpful at letting my body and mind relax. Otherwise, I am tense both mentally and physically.

It only has an 8 hour half life so it has minimal build-up in the blood unless you are taking it more than three times a day. For example, if you took 300 mgs every 8 hours, after six doses, you would finally maintain a blood level of 300 mgs minimum.

My doctor started me out on a low dose. I am taking 200mg at noon, and 200mg before bed.
He believes the type of pain I am experiencing with my headaches is nerve pain, so he is thinking that this medication might help.

Interesting that he chose gabapentin. Lyrica sounds like it may be more help. But gabapentin is much cheaper, at least to try. Why didn't he try Elavil (amatriptyline)?

Amitriptyline really worked for me. I have chronic depression and was already taking Pristiq successfully. PCS caused me to feel depressed anyway, but the amitriptyline really took care of the pain and depression.

I am not sure why he didn't start me out on something different. He didn't really give me a choice, just said 'I'm giving you a prescription for this med'.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will keep all of these meds in mind in case the Gabapentin doesn't work.