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!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

prudencemorton | @prudencemorton | May 12 7:24am

In reply to @lioness "#gracy Welcome to connect I had the same memmory problems went of it was only 100..." + (show)

Hi
I too am on Gabapentin 100 my 3xday. Started 9 months ago. Experiencing short term memory but functional think it was the gaba. I’m being tested now for Sjögren disease which could be the cause of my feet neuropathy. I’ve read that neuropathy is in 2 categories —- small fibre neuropathy and I guess large fibre, does anyone know anything abt sfn?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 12 7:55am

In reply to @bonwalsh1 "Hi there, My name is Bon. I'm new to this site. I've been taking gabapentin for..." + (show)

Hi Bon @bonwalsh1, Welcome to Connect. I don't think you are alone not liking the side effects of gabapentin and Connect is a great place to connect with other members sharing your condition. There are many different discussions on fibromyalgia that might be helpful. Here's a list from searching Connect for "fibromyalgia what helps" that you might want to scan through to connect with others - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Fibromyalgia+what+helps.

Here's an article I found that might provide some additional suggestions if you haven't already seen it.
-- Fibromyalgia Fatigue: What Causes It and Tips for Management
https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-fatigue
Did your rheumatologist offer any suggestions other than medications to help with the fatigue?

bonwalsh1 | @bonwalsh1 | May 12 8:24am

In reply to @johnbishop "Hi Bon @bonwalsh1, Welcome to Connect. I don't think you are alone not liking the side..." + (show)

Hi there,
My Rheumatologist basically suggested a healthy diet and exercise for fatigue, and for fibromyalgia in general. Good "sleep hygiene" can also help.

gracie71 | @gracie71 | May 12 10:44am

I took Gabapentin for debilitating facial nerve damage and was gradually amped up to 1,200 mg. a day.

It originally helped with pain control but lost its efficacy with the passage of time. I had side effects of some dizziness but more of complete tiredness. Also, I began reading about research being conducted that indicated Gabapentin's potential of contributing to dementia. My trusted pharmacist confirmed those studies.

Goodbye Gabapentin.
Goodbye Lyrica.
More prescription goodbyes.

Prescription side effects are so downplayed in order that they can be downplayed.

darby413 | @darby413 | May 12 1:45pm

I've taken both for short times only. Gabapentin make me extremely depressed and Lyrica impaired my thinking ability. I haven't had any medication to replace them as those are the best drugs for my conditions. So, I taking pain management classes to help. I have found them helpful and will continue my last class. If you get an opportunity, classes are very helpful.

floralou | @floralou | May 13 10:06am

In reply to @bonwalsh1 "Hi there, My name is Bon. I'm new to this site. I've been taking gabapentin for..." + (show)

I've been taking
Gabapentin for over 5 years. I take it 2 times a day for my legs never have had any troubles

willjean19 | @willjean19 | May 14 7:58am

I also took Gabapentin for nerve decompression pain post cervical surgery. Big regret for me - caused severe limb edema in both knees & elbow. Discontinued use however the knee swelling & discomfort is taking time to fully heal. Read up on the long term effects & side effects of this med and discontinued after 2 months.

bunnybear | @bunnybear | May 15 10:18am

In reply to @gracie71 "I took Gabapentin for debilitating facial nerve damage and was gradually amped up to 1,200 mg...." + (show)

Was Lyrica also implicated in contributing to dementia? They work differently.

tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 15 6:15pm

78 year old male.
7 years on gabapentine
400 mg 9/day. Also Ativan 1/4 mg and ametriptoline20 mg. Yes I’m tired and like resting by 1pm nap. Have chronic migraine and spinal stenosis.
It’s the single best drug I take and it helps every four hours to get back to sleep. If you need the pain relief it’s just part of the price to pay. Opioids are only short term at best.
Good luck all drugs bad for you, but if you are in pain you have no good choices.
I do pray a lot also.
Tony

tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 15 6:34pm

In reply to @sundance6 "Miss L , I Will! Actually, I saw my Ortopidic Dr. today, Dr. Fell Good, for..." + (show)

Suffer chronic migraines 20 years
78 yr old male take gabapentine 24/7-365 all night long as the migraine wakes me as the gabapentine wears off. This is a life saver for me and been on it 7 years 400 mg x 7/ day. Some times double. It cuts the ear ringing and throbbing pain in half. Quickly!
Drugs are all some kind of poison and for me it’s a life saver.
Yes it makes me sleepy, that’s part of the relief.
Good luck and pray for his grace and mercy.
Tony