Gabapentin - being linked to increased risk of dementia

Hi. I've had idiopathic poly neuropathy in my feet since 2015. I've tried most every solution I could find and kept coming back to Gaba. I'm 73 now and a caregiver for an older disabled man with tbi and MCI. I take 900 mgs. of gaba 4 X's daily which is a lot. It cuts my pain by roughly half depending on how much I'm on my feet, gym, walking, caregiving etc. Perhaps I'm lucky, perhaps different bodies are affected differently. I don't know,nor do my docs. Do your own research,make your own final decision. Obviously I have made mine John Maccorkindale

I have been on it for 20+ years. I am now 81 and fully competent. If you don't believe me, ask my wife.

Lost 4 hours sleep last night due to pain in hand and arm. At follow-up with doc today, he said I could increase dose to 300mg if needed. Maybe I'll be able to get more sleep tonight.

I appreciate your concern, and to a degree share it, since my family tree is littered with dementia. However, these sorts of correlations exist for so many drugs, behaviors, environmental factors, etc. that I'm not sure how anyone would live their lives if they tried to avoid all of them. New correlations are constantly emerging. Therefore, until they are more than statistical correlations, I tend to react more with "huh" than worrying or changing any of my choices.

I've found myself among the 80%, the 20%, and the 1% probability categories before when it has come to drugs and side effects. I do think that if you see a 20% side effect and it worries you, or if you have other reasons to believe you fall into that category, then it's perfectly reasonable to avoid the drug. If you see a 20% side effect but the drug is something that really helps you, it's about weighing the benefits against the risks and moving on.

If I had Parkinson's and the issue was Lewey Body dementia, or if I had a family history of early onset Alzheimers, or a known genetic propensity, then I would be more concerned. But even then, it would be a risk/benefit analysis, and if the gabapentin helped materially right now, I would go for it. In fact, I've taken it for years for restless legs, and would not stop due to this particular study.

It's important to realize that cause and effect for this sort of thing can go both ways, too. In other words, it may be that people who are more prone to dementia are also more likely to have issues which are effectively treated with gabapentin. Or even have genetics that cause gabapentin to be more effective for more problems, and therefore more likely to be used. Having not read the study, my guess would be that they tried to correct for this sort of thing, but it's not practical to correct for all of it, especially since it's data in these sorts of records can be hit or miss, and it's really early days for this kind of genetic data to be available in those records.

I'm 58. I am a diabetic since 2017 and peripheral neuropathy started with my feet (tingling, numb, painful nerve discomfort, etc..). Until this day(2025), I have been dealing with incurable, unmanageable, uncontrollable diabetes II and painful body peripheral neuropathy from feet, legs, waist and hands starting to become more and more numb especially feet as I have to wear two soft socks. And fell 5 times as legs went dead as no longer functioned properly. This was the most terrifying and scary feeling as I thought became suddenly paralyzed.

After all the doctors, neurologist, emergency rooms, hospitals, etc.. , plus prescribed medications (PR gabapentin/gabapentin, Juniva, Metformin, Duloxetine, etc.. and even purchased massagers, creams, and stuff to help with PN at no avail....Sorry to say, I completely regret to spend thousands and thousands of dollars (Out of Pocket and/or Insurance) for PN and not to mention, disability claims have been denied twice and must endure the pain without telling anyone even with employers.

After 8 years with such painful conditions, you DO NOT want the neuropathy (PN-nerve damage) to grow, spread and affect your entire feet, calves, thighs, waist and hands as it is an extremely terrible feeling along with an uneasy painful and frustrating state of mind, major anxiety, stress, sleepless nights, nervousness with daily activities, etc.. And not to mention, impotent for the last 7 years and specialized doctor(s) want 20K to make you believe that they can help with it. I declined!

Sadly, advise for these serious mental and health complications and conditions were experienced as "NO CURE" ! The final solution mentioned by Neurologist was to amputate feet, and legs, and maybe hands. I could not live with myself with such a decision. I will continue to endure and suffer which I have accepted to convince my mind this nasty discomfort is strictly a part of my remaining style way of my life and golden years.

As I feel discomfort and pain, I purchased a 3 year dog (German Shepherd) to help encourage, smile, and walk at least 4 times a week which helps body, muscles, and seldomly nerves but still painful. He is amazing! I seriously regret not adopting a dog many years ago...

Sadly, I found NO devices, creams, massagers, meds, specialist, doctors, etc. to ultimately eliminate nor majorly reduce the discomfort and sleepless nights of Peripheral Neuropathy not to mention diabetes II(except for short/long term insulin to lower blood sugars on a daily basis). Again, I molded and learned to ignore both awful symptoms as it has been a part of my remaining life. An extremely sad way to live into your golden years.....

My advice is to eat healthy, "exercise', possibly adopt a pet for serious encouragement, and most definitely "Save your Money"…! As far as diabetes, I take insulin each day and eat healthy to help maintain blood sugars and when very low or high, PN brings out more of the dreadful and nasty pain in feet, legs and waist plus hands. And ultimately alters and brings extremely sad moments in my mind in which I try to fall asleep with sleepy pills and when at work must excuse myself some way to regain some control.........

My very temporary relief is 'icy hot' cream rubbed around feet, legs, hips, and hands which becomes expensive $12 week or two. With lengthy research, studies, doctors, specialist, I am still with the discomfort and pain as I found 'no cure.' We can place a person on the moon but can not find a cure for PN which I sometimes feel my life is pretty much over.

i do not mean to scare anyone but this is simply my long dreadful experience with PN.

My prayers are with all of you …

Sadly previous experience often led me to the news of a wonderful new treatment, or a development that would be starting "human trials" soo, but my spouse died before those trials bore fruit. Now my current spouse's condition has me tracing stories , but you are correct in your assertions that risk and reward have to be balanced. I guess if theres something other than gabapenten the doc'll know. Meantime we should live our best life.