I've taken quite a lot of these. I was on 3600mg/day for about 5 years. I was later on lyrica for about 3 years.

These drugs _do_ help you to tolerate nerve pain, but do _not_ stop it. I found they led to my otherwise amazing memory developing "holes" - I knew I knew something, but I couldn't put my finger on it. As someone accused of having an eidetic memory (I'm not convinced) I found this really disturbing. I also felt more stupid, and less quick.

I've been off gabapentinoid medications for about 4 years. My pain is more "in my face", but I no longer feel retarded.

Note: The advice on the gabapentinoid box "May increase the effects of alcohol" is both warning and recommendation. It's not unknown for the mix to include open-eyed hallucinations.