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.

I just started SOFT WAVE therapy, which is different than SHOCK WAVE. It is supposed to be regenerative. there is a lot of info on the internet on it, the best ones are if you find some Dr.s who use it in their clinic, as they have the actual patients, with real life results. Now, the one Dr., I am seeing, He had me on such a high intensity level, that i insisted he turn down the level. Dr.s are supposed to actually "listen" to patients, and use the intensity accordingly. apparently, like him, some don't listen, they just go by what they learned in school......hmmm.........I had him use it on my thighs, as i knew that was where my personal weakness in my legs was coming from. but, it can also help not just feet, legs, but also other problems. when he "hit" a few spots and i let out a little squeal, he said that was good, that i felt something. he said one gentleman has no feeling, and was not able to walk. But after a few treatments, he now actually can walk , into his office. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover this. And altho, you can get a a First time special price of around $69 or $79 , the continuing visits run from $100, and I guess some charge $150 a visit. The treatment only takes aprx 15 minutes. And it could take 7 to 10 sessions before you might notice a difference . In my case, my legs are weak, but not dramatically weak yet, but after just the first treatment, I felt a little more strength, when i left. If anyone should try this, and if the intensity if way too extreme, just insist the Dr., turn it down. You do need to feel some sensations, and some will hit a tender spot, but it should not be to the extreme where you are screaming thru the whole thing. I am Not trying to scare anyone, it is just that this particular dr., should have listened to the patient, and known to turn down the level. If anyone has ever had a TENS unit, where there are different intensity levels, this is a little like that. except Soft Wave is using Sound Waves, Not electric pulses. But, they both have different intensity levels that can be turned higher or lower. If one is on a tight budget, this will sound impossible to try. But when one is in intense pain, if there is a possibility this could help , maybe at least the first initial treatment, to see what a Dr., thinks he could do for you, maybe might be useful. I also think there are some people who use this, who are not Dr.s, but have learned how to use it, and are certified. So MD.s probably will not have gone down this road. they are still on the drugs and surgery avenue. I was just lucky to find a Dr, in a neurology clinic who was sharp enough to study this treatment.........even tho.........he still needs to listen to patients levels of pain/and what is bearable.................

So far I read about 2 articles about the impacts of gabapentin and higher chances of dementia (they say the group between 18 and 65 y.o. have higher chances) and im thinking on talking about this with my new neuro I'm seeing. So far I've been about 2 years taking only 200 mg at night (otherwise I feel sleepy during working hours) and been gradually taking 100 and soon will stop. I noticed very little help on the shooting nerve pain I have in my neck and arms (the shot in my back helped 10x better than gabapentin). I'm wondering what other nerve relaxing meds are out there that won't trigger side effects. Has anyone tried specific cbd products? or Ayurvedic?

I was diagnosed with neuropathy in 2010. I had nerve inpinchment surgery that year. That was a huge scam. But i was grasping for straws. The surgery was supposed to take care of my neuropathy but when it hadn’t changed and I complained, the Dr said it was for inpinchment of nerves in my feet. BS. He prescribed gabapentin. Said I could take up to 12- 300mg tablets a day. That was when I lived in Texas. A year later I moved to Minnesota and saw a neurologist. He said he never heard of that kind of surgery for neuropathy. He immediately reduced it to 6 a day and 3 duloxatine a day. I’m seeing a Dr Chiropractor with the Blue Print plan. Im down to 3 gabapentin a day. Feel much better but Im concerned about the effects from the gabapentin.

liloldlady -

Your story sounds and reminds of enormous amount of misleading internet research, doctors, specialists, hospitals and medical website plus blogs. I have had PN for many many years and visited with many specialist, doctors, hospitals, neurologist, etc, and if there was any actual remedies, cures, and solutions in the medical system, they would have known about the cures NOT make you believe taking pills, medications, insulin, etc. will eventually cure the painful discomfort health issues.

There pills, insulins, medications, consultations, etc.. are stupid Band-Aids with many side affects but who cares, right?!? We are contributing to their rich life styles and that's all. I rather trust a doctor with my life that would say, there is no cure and you are pretty much SOL but not one ever bothering telling me except for body part amputations.

Sadly, we trust these specialist, doctors, etc. to heal our medical and health issues but the truth is, they make millions and millions without a care in the world as long they receive their insurance claims and money. This may sound a bit harsh but its the real truth ! They are no different from majority of society which take and steal money for their own pleasures and benefits. Its extremely heart breaking!!!

It is a sad and ugly world we must better learn to deal and understand while we age. The goal for majority of the world is "how much money can I make" from clueless people. And I was one of them!

And into the golden years, I will continue to deal with the pains and discomforts plus attempt and fake to enjoy the rest of my short life the best I can with my precious dog.