was taking 500 mg daily of gabapentin. In july started to increase to 600 mg daily. Just after starting to have problems with hands. When I would go to sleep hands get numb and burn. So doctor figured it was capable tunnel. Had steroid injection felt better, but hands still would be numb and swollen at night. So here I am today still sleeping with painful swollen burning hands? What do you think????
That's too many months to let this go!!
Talk to your pharmacist about side effects and maybe find a new doctor! Or at least a second opinion.
Let us know!
I am going to see a new doctor end of Feb. I truly do not believe that its carpal tunnel. I do have Raynauds disease that does effect my hands and feet, but comes on from cold and stress. Any suggestions on any other meds, or do all anti seizure meds have this side effect. maybe increasing nortriptyline instead.
Lauren
Lauren, my husband had carpal tunnel. you need a special nerve test to diagnose. you have to see a nuero for the test. carpal tunnel usually hurts at night. sometimes a special hand splint helps. I was told I have it in both my hands but I don't have any symptoms.
Since I am not sure if I have ATN, but I strongly suspect I do. a nuero started me on 300 mg of gabapentin at night time. Had some issues wit hit but also had some relief from my symptoms. What dose did you start at and how fast did they increase it. Did you have side effects and if you did they go away with time? Sorry to be asihng so many questions but I am not going back to the nuero because he told me to go to a pain doctor. Instead I went to my family doctor and he changed my dose to 200mg at night abd 100 mg in the morning. I will increase 100 mg every morning every few weeks. Does this sound too slow to you?
I strongly suggest you get the testing done for carpal tunnel because a doctor cannot make a diagnosis without these tests. If you do have it you mitth get relief with the hand splints. If you have any questions about it please let me know sinced I have the experience of it from my husband diagnosis.
Hope I hav been helpful. Gizmo
Gimo, I had nerve condition test done at hand surgeon. He believes its carpal tunnel. I feel it was a big coincidence that as soon as I raised meds from 500 mg to 600 mg about 2 weeks I had awful pain in my hands. I had been out of work for 6 months from tn so how could it be carpal tunnel. I had injection and felt better for awile. Did have symtoms few years back from my job. Just don’t know if the hand swelling is true carpal tunnel or swelling from meds causing it. Gabapentin is known For swelling in face which I have under my eyes. Swelling in hand and feet as well as numbness and tingling. Will discuss with Neuro at end of month. Tn type 2 pain is horrible And have it for year and a half with no relief.
I do use hand splints. Hands still well and go numb a d burn all night.
What if you reduce the gabapentin to 500mg, is that an option? If the symptoms in your hands go away then you will know it is from the gabapentin. My husbands pain in his hand was burning in his fingers and he said it felt like his fingers were being torn out. He got some relief by hanging his hand off the bed at night. Since the injection worked for a while as it did for my husband, it could be capal tunnel and might just be a coincidence that the symptoms started when you increased the gabapentin. Have you been on the gabapentin for a year and a half or were you taking other meds? I am only taking 300 mg per day of gabapentin for 2 weeks so I don't really know what the side effects are. Right now I get nauseous but don't know what will happen when it is increased.
I think if the hand doctor did the nerve conduction tests and he believes it is carpal tunnel it probably is. If you think it isn't you should go to another hand doctor for a second opinion. I am so sorry that you have to have this problem with your hands when you are dealing with the TN. I hope you get some relief soon. Let me know what the nuero says.
Gizmo
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Lauren(pebbles) said:
I do use hand splints. Hands still well and go numb a d burn all night.