Hi Everyone and Cme,
I love Gabapentin and I can't make it through the night without it. I always take the smallest dose of anything for I don't want to damage my liver or kidneys. However, I don't believe Gabapentin does any damage to major organs but it might make you lose your balance and make you somewhat loopy and somewhat forgetful. I had back surgery in 2012 and it was a success. However, I do have some numbness and tingling in my feet. Ialso had elective foot surgery to correct bunions and hammertoes. I have DDD in my spine along with osteoarthritis in my hands and feet and heaven knows where else. I still lose my balance somewhat and when I take GABA... I hang on to walls or whatever i can if I lose my balance. Arthritis in my spine is absolutely painful. Somedays it's OK and other days it's bad. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2003 and have gone through many medicines and kept only a few. I also have coronary heart disease but it's controlled and it's not bad due to HBP also controlled. I cannot make it through the day without GABA... I only take 600mg at night usually, and if my feet feel like they're on a vice I take 900mg. During the day if the fibro is horrible I take 1 or 2 GABA... which does help with the overall pain. I take aspirin (2 baby) with food. Never take aspirin on an empty stomach. I also use the Flector Patch on my back and it helps a lot. However, I cannot use Flector but once or twice a week due to CAD. I was on 60mg Cymbalta for 2 months and gained 10 lbs. It did not help with the pain.I am getting myself off of it. I am now taking half every 2 days. I have dropped 5 lbs in 3 weeks. I will not go on any antidepressants again. I have to keep my weight light due to my spine and the laminectomy I had. Clonopen .5-1 mg works great for the anxiety if I get it at night.
I go to the gym 2-3 times a week and do minor weights on the machines and the bike or elliptical. I have a Schwinn Adyne bike that I use if it's raining. I walked a mile in the park today with my hubby. I am retired but keep busy and clean the house when I can and organize. I eat healthy and love to cook. I start little projects that keeps my mind off the pain and I don't dwell in the pain. I read, sew, help my hubby if he paints but I can't overdo or my back pain at night is a 15 out of 10. Stretches help and I swim in the summer outside or at the gym. I usually exercise every other day.
I know how dull, constant and nagging the fibro pain can be, but help yourself. Gabapentin does work and the dosage depends on how bad your pain is. I hope you feel better. Dealing with Fibro is trial and error with meds. Good luck and hang in there!:wink: