in my first post on this forum i was very frustrated because the answers to my questions were slow in coming. its been a very busy 2 weeks. transposition surgery for my left scheduled for sept. 4, this is quick. my right elbow felt like it was getting worse by the day, till i was put on gabapentin & i stopped drinking COFFEE & SOFT DRINKS (CAFFEINE). pain is bearable now as long as i dont have to answer the phone or put on my glasses. just wondering if anyone else is on gabapentin, for how long , and if they are suffering any side effects other than being tired. thanks

Hi bap,

I was on gabapentin (neurontin) for over a year. My doctor told me it's like prescription-strength Advil. I didn't suffer from any side effects and never really noticed it making me tired. Like with all NSAIDs, it's important to take it with food to prevent stomach upset or ulcers.

Good luck with your transposition surgery on the 4th! Please stop back after and let us know how it went.

I am also on gabapentin. Before I started to take it I did alot of reading on it. Mostly online. If there is a bad side effect I normally get it. My biggest concern was the weight gain. I have no trouble gaining weight on my own. I do not need medicine helping me. I have Cuts and Cts. I work in a very busy call center so I am on the phone all day and typing all day. That in return means pain all day. Hard to work out when you are in pain. At any rate- getting back to my symptoms. I actually have not gained any weight, but I have noticed I am never hungry. I have to force myself to eat. So - that could be a good thing if you want to loose weight. I have noticed that I have a really hard time sleeping. Once I have fallen asleep waking up is not easy. I feel very groggie. Other then that it has been fine. I am up to 3 pills at bed time. Next week I go to 4 pills. So we will see how the effects are long term. I have not noticed any difference in my pain or diminished symptoms. However, I go for surgery tomorrow. My Doc said it is really good to be on because it helps with the healing of the nerve. So I stay on it. Anything I can do to help. I am so ready to feel better. I hope this helps, and good luck!!

Hey there. My mom has degenerative disc disease, and has had alot of nerve pain in her arms to to the damage that has happened in her back. her dr. did put her on neurotin.. another version of the gabapentin* for the pain. It took a little while to kick in but it did help with her pain tremendously. However, she did have side effects with it. Mostly the weight gain, as soon as she quit taking it she lost the weight. Most of it was liquid and was making her feet legs and knees very swollen. The dr did have her quit taking it though and said that after a while that weight gain can be permanent.it works diff for diff ppl but if you try it and have that side effect. He is disgusing other pills with her that are similar but might not have that effect at her next app. so ill let you know how that goes. I to have CuTS but no one has ever suggested this for me. but i dont have any pain with my condition just alot of clawing and atrophy, loss of use. hope this helps

I am now 7 weeks post op. from first transposition surgery on my left. I still have numbness in fingers, hand & elbow, But I no longer have muscle cramps & only have slight burning in the elbow. Pain is usually manageable with Advil. Overall my left arm has greatly improved since surgery. I am still off work and taking it easy. I do feel well enough that intramuscular transposition surgery on my right set for Nov. 6, Just wondering about having surgery on both arms 9 weeks apart, causes any problems I havn't thought of. Thanks

Smile. It will get better. I took Gabapentin for over a year and nothing happened. I just had the carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel release surgeries at the same time (yeah I'm crazy in pain now but at least its all done at once). anyway, I'm getting there. my fiance is a wonderful man that helps me when he can. we're not married yet, so there are still things he can't do until we're married. I'll make it though. January isn't that far away. Our wedding is January 2.
I wish you the best and tell you get the surgery if you can. I've already noticed a difference in my arm, even thought I don't have wrap from surgery off (all it is is gauze and a ace wrap. they didn't even for a clean gauze on it. my checkup is the 19th. I hope for something positive from VA by then PLEASE GOD!!! know what I mean? but is worth it, believe me. I would do it again if needed too. it will help. its helped me and I don't have the wrap off yet.
Kathy

don't worry. the surgery is simple and takes about an hour. mine took longer because of carpal tunnel at same time.