Is this normal?
 

I am reducing my intake if Gabapentin and replacing it with Lyrica, but my feet have gone from intense burning to intense chilling, they are so swollen and sensitive I don't know where to put them. Yesterday I reduced 900mg of Gabapentin and replaced this with 200mg Lyrica( I have been tapering since Friday) I also can't sleep, it is 3 am and although I am intensly tired I cannot sleep for the pain. Should I just give up the notion of Lyrica? Any advice will be greatly acceptable. Work tomorrow morning is looming and I don't know how I will get through the day :(

Could it be circulation? I took gabapentin for 6 months but I do not remember if affected circulation or not. But I do have the problem of cold/swollen limbs - my case it is my hands and forearms. My neuro says that when my pain increases in my arms, my body will react and will decrease circulation to area that is in pain and therefore cause the increase inswelling and cold chill/freezing feeling. Perhaps your body is reacting in a similar manner. I don't know? Sorry your so bad off. Wishing I had more to offer.

Just replying is enough Adelina, thanks.I do feel it is circulatory, at times there doesn't look as if there is any blood in my feet and then others when they are so swollen that a pin could burst them. The joys.........

Gabapentin and Lyrica both cause fluid retention in some people.

When feet swell, they can hurt from nerve compression.

When my left foot swells, (my old surgical foot), it aches. And my scar throbs. I haven't found my trigger yet for this, but using my laser pointer on it seems to fix it for a while until the next week or 2 and the swelling begins again. The doctor is stumped and just gives me a blank look. And two foot doctors just said, lymphathic blockage etc from the surgery?

I know is sounds strange, but my 5mWatt laser on it for about 10-15 minutes reduces the swelling. I discovered this when playing with my cats laser pointer toy, and so I bought a stronger one for my foot. Now they come and vie for it when they see me doing my foot while I watch some TV ! LOL

Thanks Mrs D.
 

I guess I need to get the diuretics out again - it is so long since I have experienced this swelling.
I called my GP today and he said keep going with the reduction in Gabapentin and he has prescribed Tramadol to get me through this next few weeks.
I have just had 2 weeks holidays, why did I wait until I was back at work to switch......?

RE: Great Idea
 

Lyrica sounds just right for you as it helped me after 20 years of suffering:wink:

Thanks
 

That is good news, fingers crossed it will have the same effect, I can't go on at this level of pain:(

RE: Help is on the way
 

You cant just go from 900mg of Neurontin to another drug. In this case Lyrica.
50mg-100mg a day or you will experience withdrawal. If Lyrica is your choice then stay on Neurontin until you gradually get off it and then hit a higher dose of Lyrica.
Good Luck

Malawigirl has stated just above:
Anyone discontinuing gabapentin, should be tapered by the doctor and supervised carefully. The higher the dose, and the longer one has been using it, should have a longer taper. But there is not much information on the net giving strict taper schedules, so one must be sure their doctor is informed on how to do this. Some people come down 100mg a week. But that is only an average. It may vary from person to person.

Mrs D, my doc wants me to come off 2400mg per day in a week, at the rate of 300mg per day- I am in day 3 and it isn't pleasant- I am going to maintain this level for a few more days- I have loads of gabapentin so willtake my time. My GP is so young she must just be out of med school and had to look up a book to see if switch was possible! I dont have a lot of confidence in her experience.