Gabapentin, a generic for Neurontin, is frequently prescribed for fibromyalgia. This drug has been shown to reduce pain, but it does have a number of drawbacks. I’ve been on gabapentin for over two years and it does provide some relief, but I’m concerned about the side effects. The rationale behind its use is based on the types of pain that OA causes, namely nociceptive pain (pain caused by damage to tissues) and nociplastic pain (pain caused by altered sensory perception). Fibromyalgia is the main example of nociplastic pain, the condition of which is responsive to drugs like gabapentin. Gabapentin can influence this neurotransmitters and target overactive nerve cells, reducing the ongoing activity that contributes to the pain associated with fibromyalgia 4, similar to turning down the volume of a noisy sound system. And you may have found that your pain gets worse without one. Here are the most effective prescription surrogates: Gabapentin (Neurontin) Carisoprodol (Soma) Diazepam (Valium) Alprazolam (Xanax) Lorazepam (Ativan) There are also herbs and amino acids available without a prescription that can be used as GABA surrogates: Valerian root Medications. Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Common choices include: Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) may be helpful. How Long Does Gabapentin Take to Work for Nerve Pain? After taking a dose, IR gabapentin starts to work in the body within two to three hours. However, the full effects of gabapentin can take one to two weeks to become noticeable, and some people may need to wait longer to experience significant pain reduction. Learn about medications used to treat fibromyalgia symptoms and how they can help reduce pain and fatigue and improve sleep. The most helpful treatment approach for fibromyalgia is a combination of self-care, physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy. But medication may also be needed. Many It dawned on me after a week or so, I had no fibromyalgia pain. After going over what I had been doing differently, I figured out it was the Neurontin. I googled it and found that the University of Cincinnati had tested it yielding positive results in treating fibromyalgia pain symptoms. Does Gabapentin Help Fibromyalgia Pain? Research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) in 2007 demonstrated that gabapentin could be an effective treatment for the pain and other symptoms associated fibromyalgia. Gabapentin is often prescribed as an off-label treatment for fibromyalgia. Also sold under brand names Neurontin, Horizant, and Gralise, gabapentin works to balance the neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Fibromyalgia is believed to be caused in part by altered glutamate levels. Classes of fibromyalgia drugs include: Analgesics (pain relievers) you can buy over the counter (OTC) may be helpful in fibromyalgia. They generally will not relieve the pain of fibromyalgia itself. However, they can reduce painful triggers of fibromyalgia, such as arthritis. Doctors typically do not prescribe narcotics or opioid painkillers It is not licensed for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but is commonly used because fibromyalgia can respond to the same medicines as neuropathic pain. Objectives: To assess the analgesic efficacy of gabapentin for fibromyalgia pain in adults and the adverse events associated with its use in clinical trials. Fibromyalgia: Patients suffering from fibromyalgia often find relief from widespread pain. Post-Surgical Pain: Gabapentin may be prescribed following certain surgeries to help manage acute pain. Chronic Pain Syndromes: Conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can benefit from gabapentin’s analgesic properties. Differences in how the brain processes pain can be seen on functional MRI scans of people with fibromyalgia. Standard approaches to treating fibromyalgia include patient education, exercise, treatment of other conditions that may contribute to symptoms (such as depression or sleep apnea) and medications. Gabapentin is an antiepileptic drug widely licensed for treatment of neuropathic pain. It is not licensed for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but is commonly used because fibromyalgia can respond to the same medicines as neuropathic pain. Research supports the use of the anticonvulsants gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and pregabalin (Lyrica) to help relieve pain caused by damaged nerves. Both gabapentin and pregabalin are particularly effective in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and pain caused by a spinal cord injury.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() |