I have neuropathy real bad. I have taken Gabapentin at 2000 mg a day and it did nothing. I was told that lyrica was in the same family as gabapentin.
My doctor put me on amitriptyline 100 mg at night and it did wonders.
It is normaly used for depression but it also worked for me.Actually it did both when I quit hurting I wasn’t so depresed about it.
I have taken both Gabapentin and Lyrica. I found out the hard way that the Lyrica gave me seizures. So, for me the Gabapentin is a better choice.
They are indeed weaker but still work well. You may not have the “allergy” to Lyrica that I had that caused the seizures, but you never know!
I too have taken both having severe neuropathy in my feet and fingers. Lyrica 300mgs 3x a day but like alot of people say,weight gain. I gained 40 lbs in 1 year,only side effect I had. Gabapentin,now I take 300mgs 4x a day,not quite as strong as Lyrica(a close second) with no side effects.
I have heard memory and speech problems and a few others. Remember everybodys body is different so they effect people not all the same. best of luck
Gabapentin Works Great for Neuropathy
I know that Gabapentin works great for neuropathy. I take 2400 mg. and it works wonders. I don’t have very much pain during the night, which was a real problem for me. If you have to work, it makes me a little drowsy, so take it on a weekend or early in the evening, so you don’t have a groggy feeling in the morning.
I haven’t taken Lyrica, but I understand it’s a good medication. The next med that the docs want me to try is Lyrica. I’ve been on Gabapentin for over 2 years and unless I have to, I don’t want to change.
As I understand it, Lyrica increases appetite, weight gain and drowsiness.
Lyrica causes some people to have suicidal thoughts. (This is probably common in a lot of meds we take) The cost of Lyrica is more. Some insurances pay $10 every two weeks with insurance for Gabapentin, and $30 a mos for Lyrica with insurance. I think they both cost about the same, but from what I’ve found out, Lyrica is definately more expensive. I’m not sure if that’s an issue for you, yet it is for so many people.
I pray you find the right medication. It’s really difficult sometimes. We’re here, so you won’t be alone if a med doesn’t work or does.
Neuropathy (Peripheral Neuropathy)
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves that typically results in numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain in the affected area. Neuropathies frequently start in your hands and feet, but other parts of your body can be affected too.
Neuropathy, often called peripheral neuropathy, indicates a problem within the peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord make up your central nervous system. Think of the two systems working together this way: Your central nervous system is the central station. It is the control center, the hub from which all trains come and go. Your peripheral nervous system are the tracks that connect to the central station. The tracks (the network of nerves) allow the trains (information signals) to travel to and from the central station (your brain and spinal cord).
Neuropathy results when nerve cells, called neurons, are damaged or destroyed. This disrupts the way the neurons communicate with each other and with the brain. Neuropathy can affect one nerve (mononeuropathy) or nerve type, a combination of nerves in a limited area (multifocal neuropathy) or many peripheral nerves throughout the body (polyneuropathy).
What types of peripheral nerves are there and what do they do?
The peripheral nervous system is made up of three types of nerves, each with an important role in keeping your body healthy and functioning properly.
- Sensory nerves carry messages from your five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) through your spinal cord to your brain. For example, a sensory nerve would communicate to your brain information about objects you hold in your hand, like pain, temperature, and texture.
- Motor nerves travel in the opposite direction of sensory nerves. They carry messages from your brain to your muscles. They tell your muscles how and when to contract to produce movement. For example, to move your hand away from something hot.
- Autonomic nerves are responsible for body functions that occur outside of your direct control, such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, bladder control and sexual arousal. The autonomic nerves are constantly monitoring and responding to external stresses and bodily needs. For instance, when you exercise, your body temperatures increases. The autonomic nervous system triggers sweating to prevent your body’s temperature from rising too high.
The type of symptoms you feel depend on the type of nerve that is damaged.
What does neuropathy feel like?
If you have neuropathy, the most commonly described feelings are sensations of numbness, tingling (“pins and needles”), and weakness in the area of the body affected. Other sensations include sharp, lightening-like pain; or a burning, throbbing or stabbing pain.
How common is neuropathy? Who gets neuropathy?
Neuropathy is very common. It is estimated that about 25% to 30% of Americans will be affected by neuropathy. The condition affects people of all ages; however, older people are at increased risk. About 8% of adults over 65 years of age report some degree of neuropathy. Other than age, in the United States some of the more common risk factors for neuropathy include diabetes, metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes), and heavy alcohol use. People in certain professions, such as those that require repetitive motions, have a greater chance of developing mononeuropathies from trauma or compression of nerves.
Among other commonly cited statistics, neuropathy is present in:
- 60% to 70% of people with diabetes.
- 30% to 40% of people who receive chemotherapy to treat cancer.
- 30% of people who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
How quickly does neuropathy develop?
Some peripheral neuropathies develop slowly – over months to years – while others develop more rapidly and continue to get worse. There are over 100 types of neuropathies and each type can develop differently. The way your condition progresses and how quickly your symptoms start can vary greatly depending on the type of nerve or nerves damaged, and the underlying cause of the condition.