Does Gabapentin help ur pain or get you high?

[Sgrbr420]

I was given a script of gaba 300mg for back pain and found it absolutely useless for back pain, but it gave me some very scary and realistic nightmares.

I have read that gaba has become a recreational drug in the last 5ish years for some people. I read insulfating was stimulating and tried it, after I got done crying I got nothing but a headache.

Do people like this stuff and if so how do you use it?

I've read it might be a potentiaitor of op8 but haven't found that to be the case although I have read conflicting statements about order of taking it and soda pop for some unknown reason.

Would be cool to know what I can use it for since it didnt help the back.

 

[mountaincat9]

I take 300mg 3x a day for cancer pain.  I've never noticed anything with it.  No buzz, fuzz, tingle.....nothing.  But I also take a lot of oxy for the pain.  But even in the past before cancer I never noticed anything with it.

 

[eagan1]

My doctor gives it to me for multiple fractured disks.does absolutely nothing for relief ECT.have heard it helps small amount of people.wish it worked for everyone though.

 

[Sgrbr420]

Sounds like I am not missing something, thanks @eagan1 and @mountaincat9

 

[Scilenny420]

,I find the only reason its recreational is because young naive kids get ahold of it and maybe the 1st or 2nd time it causes a little drowsiness but other than that I definitely would find it very non-recreational... that being said one of the guys that frequents the local watering hole swears by it for his discs in his back. He was so debilitated he could barely even walk. He's still a hunchback but swears it's his miracle drug.

 

[EmeraldAlchemist]

Gabapentin is primarily prescribed for nerve pain. Trying to achieve a "high" off of this compound could prevail to be quite difficult as the bioavailability decreases the larger the dose. To circumvent this issue one could take let's say..300mg every half hour until original dosage is met. Has a long come up and even longer duration. Honestly would suggest taking as prescribed and jus buying some Phenibut. Hope that helps

TEA

 

[seasonal]

I have a prescription for gabapentin and it does help with my neuropathic pain. It doesn't do much for muscle soreness or other kinds of pain though. In higher doses it does get me loopy.

 

[2earls]

Yes loopy, but I sure wouldn't describe it as any kind of high. Too bad because the doctors are always trying to foist it on me instead of pks. Unfortunately it didn't work for my neoropathy pain either. Stayed on it much longer than I wanted to in hopes that it would work if it built up

 

[Sgrbr420]

@Scilenny420 @EmeraldAlchemist @2earls @seasonal

Thanks folks, sounds like my experience with gabapentin is not out of the ordinary. I too wish it worked for my pain as they have zero issues subscribing it

 

[Olart Pharma]

@eagan1 As a medical practitioner, I can tell you a few things regarding the successful use of anticonvulsants in Pain Managment (Topamax, Neurontin and Lyrica). If you looking for more detailed consult please contact me via email, other than that if you suffer from musculoskeletal (and sound like you are) Chronic Somatic Pain GABAPENTINE WILL ONLY (possibly) make you a bit drowsy, and sadly it is more and more Rxed without regard to the type of pain where physicians keep ignoring key factors such as: duration of pain, prior successful/failed non pharmacological treatments, patient’s age, and history of failed treatments with similar medications such as Topamax (Topiramate) or Lyrica (Pregabalin.)

Gabapentine itself is and old medication has a well established medicinal use in moderate cases of fibromyalgia, positive side effects profile for successful use on neuroinflamatory conditions where linings of the nerves are already damaged and/or inflamed (H.Zoster Virus/Shingles, or severe one sided or dual sided Piriformis Syndrome, and most common one - Diabetic Neuropathy). Ehatbshiukd hebhoted, to achieve adequate pain control patient often requires to take doses well beyond maximum FDA Recommended (over 3600MG) and therefore such treatments are poorly tolerated.

When we are talking about acute/chronic musculoskeletal, somatic, visceral and acute intractable cancer pain cases these medications are nothing, but useless and sometimes dangerous. These medications could also raise cardio toxicity threshold and  continued use WILL impair your renal function. 

You all heard about 2016 CDC New OPG (Opioid Prescription Guidelines) where dosing thresholds of 90 MME/day OR LESS IS SUPPOSED TO BE VOLUNTARY RECOMMENDATION, yet it became a barbaric “STATUE” WITH DEA/CDC/FDA TRIUMVIRATE  trying to audit/fine/close and/or put in check every practitioner that continues to prescribe more adequate dose of opiATES/OIDS or opiATES/OIDS in conjunction with benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, and sleep hypnotic drugs even where such polipharmacological approach is medically appropriate (places such as hospices, and for patients of palliative care cancer centers, and other similar establishments.) This is main reason why we as  medical professionals taking a second look on such medications as second generations anticonvulsants (and also antidepressants and antipsychotics despite the whole sadness of the situation.)

In conclusion, if you have no signs of depression, yet you do have moderate to severe anxiety - DON’T SETTLE FOR SSRIs & SNRIs “experiments” on YOU as a first line for GAD or MADD Treatments, rather seeks second opinion or email me, and (while I can’t promise anything) I can try to give you advice. And I will give you advice only if I would give the very same advice to myself. 

God Bless you and be well.

 

[Sgrbr420]

@Olart Pharma thank you sir or madam for your detailed post. Makes sense. My pain management doc gives me cyclobenziprene for sleep time and was ready to write me tramadol but I didn't want to start opi8s so she gave me gaba to see if that helped. Much like you said it was an attempt to experiment in vivo. 

I've since originally posting this talked to some people and read a number of articles on off label use of this substance for anxiety which some people swear by, however doses in the 1000-2000mg range are often sited. Several articles are pointing to this off label use justifying a potential scheduling of this substance. 

Sounds like they're after this option next.

 

[takingiteasy]

pain and sleep, but no fun which might be good in some circumstances.

 

[Lemmyhellcat]

Just started yesterday, it makes me freaking loopy af! I also started cymblata too so could be combo not sure it's helping pain wise? 

 

[2earls]

 @Lemmyhellcat I took both of those meds at different times. Gaba made me loopy too and Cymbalta didn't do anything. Neither helped with my pain, but I know of some people who do get relief from Gabapentin, can't think of anyone who ever told me that Cymbalta helped them. That is kinda crazy considering how much doctors seem to love to prescribe it.

As I recall it takes a bit of time to know if Gabapentin works for you. Not positive because I have been prescribed so much crap over the years it's hard to keep them all straight, but I am sure it's one of the two that made me weird (Neurontin being the other).

 

[aintnouse]

When I detoxed I was prescribed Gabapentin and it did not get me high.  If I remember correctly the Dr said it would help calm down the nerve signals in my brain.  I was not in pain other than the pain of not getting high.  I stayed on it for awhile and no matter how much I took it did not do a thing for me.  I think the max I took at one time was 900mgs and I think all it did was make me tired.  I have a relative that takes it and he gets all goofy on it.   He will not remember shit and it will couch lock him for hours.    What works for one doesnt always work for another.   I think its primary use is for nerve pain but I think there are a lot of off market uses for it.   Good luck with the combo it sounds pretty heavy.  I hope it provides some relief!

 

[Lemmyhellcat]

Gabapentin is expensive my dr needs to request special authorization so it will get covered. I have been on it before and I don't think it did really anything. Apparently cymbalta has pain mgmt properties too? The pharmacist said i was on my way too serotonin to the point it's detrimental. 

I did learn that kadian is accepted for chronic pain mgmt like methadone and suboxone which I never knew. It's because it's 24hour morphine. Ok I'm rambling! Sorry! 

 

[jax1982]

There are some excellent responses here, I have to say that when I was first injured with fractures to my mid back and my lower back was just a hot mess starting 20 years ago. I was on Vicodin for months. Another point in my story: I'd been prescribed Klonopin at 16 for insomnia, the inability to sit still, they also thought I had anorexia as I was shy wearing my Dad's shirts cause I thought my butt was huge (It was tiny) I got over that by the time I saw a shrink, I did see myself as "not that thin" when I was. But I really didn't care too much. I chugged mt. dew and a candy bar. Anything quick. I worked over 40 hours a week in high school, very physical so I was thin. 

*** I will say when going through a couple of Klonopin withdrawals the Gabbies helped and stopped me from seizing. I have had seizures twice without it that I KNOW of due to doctors forgetting to call in my meds on a Friday or going on vacation and not caring that I SHOULD NOT Suddenly Stop taking the meds and I didn't have the Gabapentin, the ER gave like 5 Ativan once when my poor husband watched me almost choke and throw up a bit of sprite and crackers while seizing. 

The real problem that drove me crazy turned out to be a photographic memory and a slight red/green color blindness. So I took the Klonopin off and on but by 18 living on my own, stress had me taking my klonopin but after my accident and months on Vicodin I didn't feel the same...which I just stopped taking the Vicodin when I felt better. I didn't have a clue that it was like a DRUG. By the next day I was in my doctor's office going wtf? and he set up a weaning plan. I did fine weaning off.

Then I needed teeth pulled. Hmmm Vicodin...I felt so Great! I would get the meds for various things over the next two years until I was ordering them from Florida..some may remember, Easy Peasy. Get 300 pills overnight like clockwork. I was up to 20 a day and taking them to not get sick at that point. It didn't help pain as much, no high. I went to my doc and told him all of it. He said Ok we'll wean you off and gave me 100 pills telling me to take 8 a day. SO when I finally collapsed due to lack of potassium and lack of sleep I was withdrawn off it in the hospital. They gave me Gabapentin 300mg a day 5 times a day. It made it more bearable tho I was given a patch too. Oh and No More Klonopin. So I was taking Gabapentin 600 mg 5 times a day by the time I was home, I was somewhat calm but social anxiety was horrible.I worked from home medical coding, I was so content to watch TV and do nothing when before I couldn't sit still. It didn't do sh*t for my insomnia tho. I added tylenol PM, Nyquil.. 

I finally went to a new doctor and got back on my klonopin. HOLY WOW I was back in action. I was LIVING, Leaving the House and getting a 2nd job bartending. I didn't touch the Gabapentin once I had Klonopin back. And before my insurance covered it..IT WAS SO Expensive my pharmacy let me get half my monthly script at a time. So Many years later when my regular doc just said I can't prescribe Klonopin and after doctors going on vacation, can't fill klonopin until the day you run out, I said I'm done and I found this lovely site. My shrink costs as much as it does to get a nice supply from a good vendor of the meds I need..

Sorry back to Gabbies as my friends call them. I was injured badly again and this one is for the rest of my life. So yes every doctor I know that used to prescribe tramadol, vicodin, oxy. They now want to prescribe Gabapentin. It's the 'safe' drug. My friends with Fibromyalgia say this of their doctors. I've helped them find relief sending them here. I DO take the Gabbies on occasion when I have bad pain or a migraine from Overload in My Mind. I throw everything I've got at the pain, Muscle relaxors, Xanax, Gabbies, and Benadryl to knock me out. It's the only way to cope. So the Gabbies do help on occasion with pain/sleep when ADDED with other things, Ambien doesn't do anything for me but 3 Benadryl will have me slurring. 

So I'd keep the Gabapentin around if you can afford it. I know vendors who sell it. I get a ton from my doc. I have days where I barely sleep. And then I crash for 12 hours and wake up in a ton of pain with a pounding headache, the Gabbies get thrown in the mix and I feel they do help a bit. OH I should mention I can't take Ibuprofen, NSAIDS..things that DO HELP PAIN. I break out in Hives and My throat will start to close. I was actually in so much pain once I took a ton of benadryl and A Prescription NSAID. 40 minutes later I was jamming an EPI PEN in my thigh. The things we do to stop the pain. Yes there's an OPIATE CRISIS and tons of us are paying the price. Sorry for the Novel, I hope this gives some info or helps. 

Best wishes to my fellow Victims of The Opiate Crisis. 

 

[Jade2020]

It didnt do anything for me! Wish it had. The first couple days it made me a little spacey but did nothing for my pain.

 

[Ruthiejams]

@aintnouse in regards to gabapentin, I know it is now scheduled in a handful of states in USA. So, it potentials opiates is The ivory tower crowd consensus!! Now, I took it before for withdrawals awhile back , But I had tramadol hiding aroundThat is what helped most. I did try the staggering  doses, drinking soda, took about 900 mg. Got a wobble.