1. < Chronic Pain

Gabapentin side effects?

Posted by Sundance(RB) @sundance6, Apr 13, 2019

I am a regular on the Mayo Board! I don't know what I would do without it! Our doctors don't want to discuss openly the things about illnesses and side effets of drugs and other things. Anyway, my question to all of you is Gabapentin and it's side effects. I have been on it now for 6 months. My doctor raised me from 100mg. to now I am on 400mg. three times a day.
The problem is my tiredness! I happen to be in a friends office yesterday and she was taking some medicine. She said she was taking Gabapentin. I asked why and she said she had, had shingles back when and it still helped with the pain. I know the drug is percribed for many things that is why I take it for my issues.
I told her I had been taking it for about 6 months. She asked if I had been tired all the time, just out of the Blue. OF COURSE I SAID YES! She said it took her a year before she got out of the tiredness.
Let me know if any of you have experienced the same thing. Also let me know at what dosage you may be on? I know this is all confidential!
Again Thanks to The Mayo Clinic and Everyone who is kind enough to be open with their lives!
Sundance!

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lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Mar 23 2:24pm
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lizziel1 It may be the combination of Gabapentin and the Percocet that are causing the respiratory..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@lizziel1
It may be the combination of Gabapentin and the Percocet that are causing the respiratory issue.
All anti-seizure medications
including Gabapentin have suicidal ideation warnings. It can cause anxiety and depression. However, it is also a mood stabilizer and regularly prescribed to treat anxiety.
You might ask your physician if the combination of Gabapentin and percocet could cause the chest pressure and if it's something to be concerned about.
I'm sorry to hear you suffer from Pudendal Neuralgia, I understand that it's very painful. I hope your episodes are infrequent and short-lasting.
Take care,
Jake

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Thank you for the information. Yes, I’ll speak with my doctor about the combination. I’ve only been on the Gabapentin for 2 weeks now.
The Pudendal neuralgia is sometimes excruciating! It bothers me 24/7. I’m trying to see a doctor about a nerve block or something, but was told there are no doctors in my area who treat this. 🙁

REPLY
ripley | @ripley | Mar 24 9:22am
In reply to @ginger123 "I just ordered the lipoic acid from Amazon. Will start with the 100 mg, and go..." + (show)
@ginger123

I just ordered the lipoic acid from Amazon. Will start with the 100 mg, and go from there. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m just started back on gabapentin at night, 300 mg. for sciatica and leg pain.

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How did you hear about trying alpha lipoic acid, and how do you know how much to take? I've heard it can relieve nerve pain. What is your experience with gabapentin -- does it help relieve pain for you and have you had any bad side effects? Thanks.

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2 replies
ginger123 | @ginger123 | Mar 24 9:59am
In reply to @ripley "How did you hear about trying alpha lipoic acid, and how do you know how much..." + (show)
@ripley

How did you hear about trying alpha lipoic acid, and how do you know how much to take? I've heard it can relieve nerve pain. What is your experience with gabapentin -- does it help relieve pain for you and have you had any bad side effects? Thanks.

Jump to this post

I read about it from one of our other participants on this site. I always start low dosage and work up. I’ve been on gabapentin and it works somewhat, but I don’t want to have to keep increasing in order for effectiveness.

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1 reply
ripley | @ripley | Mar 24 10:49am
In reply to @ginger123 "I read about it from one of our other participants on this site. I always start..." + (show)
@ginger123

I read about it from one of our other participants on this site. I always start low dosage and work up. I’ve been on gabapentin and it works somewhat, but I don’t want to have to keep increasing in order for effectiveness.

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Can you share what condition you are taking it for? I have fibromyalgia and am taking various supplements recommended by my DNP, but lipoic acid is not one of them. So far, the ones I'm taking don't seem to be helping much. The only medication I take is 5mg Flexeril before bed, if needed. Thanks.

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1 reply
ginger123 | @ginger123 | Mar 24 11:32am
In reply to @ripley "Can you share what condition you are taking it for? I have fibromyalgia and am taking..." + (show)
@ripley

Can you share what condition you are taking it for? I have fibromyalgia and am taking various supplements recommended by my DNP, but lipoic acid is not one of them. So far, the ones I'm taking don't seem to be helping much. The only medication I take is 5mg Flexeril before bed, if needed. Thanks.

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I’m taking for severe RLS, sciatica, and lower leg neuropathy. I have an appt for testing for a pinched nerve as well to address the neuropathy.

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digbymacdonald | @digbymacdonald | Mar 24 2:26pm
In reply to @mikem75 "My Dr. Wants me on gabapentin,I said no because of side effects (75 yrs.old) 3 weeks..." + (show)
@mikem75

My Dr. Wants me on gabapentin,I said no because of side effects (75 yrs.old) 3 weeks I,ve got another appt. Don't want to be a Zombie . X rays tomorrow to see if lumbar, cervical might be to blame?

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I found that Gabapentin caused severe swelling of my legs and upper body. The only things that works on me for PN is to alternately soak my toes in hot and cold water twice a day. That opens up the blood vessels allowing for increased flow of oxygenated blood to my toes.

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wmsemperfi | @wmsemperfi | May 9 5:17pm

I have taken both Gabapentin and Lyrica. The Gabapentin made me incredibly sleepy all the time. I had to change back to Lyrica in order to prevent falling asleep at work or while driving, the side effect was THAT acute. I never felt sleepy while taking Lyrica, but insurance companies don’t want to cover it, because it’s much more expensive than Gabapentin. It can be done, it just takes time, perseverance and paperwork. For anyone experiencing tiredness from Gabapentin, I would suggest getting a trial sample of Lyrica and see if it works as well within the side effects. That way you and your doctor do not waste a bunch of time getting an insurance approval for no reason. The co-pay WILL be higher, but the cost of falling asleep at the wheel makes the additional copay amount negligible in comparison.

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3 replies
tucker1127 | @tucker1127 | May 9 9:04pm

Been taking Gabapentin about a year, not tired. My latest dose in at night only 3 capsules, mg 300 each pill. It only helps a little bid. Does anyone have experience with PT or anything else that helps them? My doctor says nothing really works. Hard to believe that.

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sbrown293 | @sbrown293 | May 9 9:54pm
In reply to @wmsemperfi "I have taken both Gabapentin and Lyrica. The Gabapentin made me incredibly sleepy all the time...." + (show)
@wmsemperfi

I have taken both Gabapentin and Lyrica. The Gabapentin made me incredibly sleepy all the time. I had to change back to Lyrica in order to prevent falling asleep at work or while driving, the side effect was THAT acute. I never felt sleepy while taking Lyrica, but insurance companies don’t want to cover it, because it’s much more expensive than Gabapentin. It can be done, it just takes time, perseverance and paperwork. For anyone experiencing tiredness from Gabapentin, I would suggest getting a trial sample of Lyrica and see if it works as well within the side effects. That way you and your doctor do not waste a bunch of time getting an insurance approval for no reason. The co-pay WILL be higher, but the cost of falling asleep at the wheel makes the additional copay amount negligible in comparison.

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Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience.

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sbrown293 | @sbrown293 | May 9 9:55pm

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is very helpful for others to read comments like yours.

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