What are the side effects of gabapentin?

Posted by cate321 @cate321, Mar 22 3:25pm

I'm taking 300mg 3x day for nerve pain in my leg due to a ruptured disc. It's helping but not completely. I've started to have memory problems that I haven't had before. And the other , more troubling thing that has happened is I'm having trouble speaking. I can't pronounce some words and end up saying something else. Or I say a word similar but not correct. Also, swallowing food has become a challenge. Do you think this is from gabapentin or something else? Thank you for reading and responding!

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I gained 30 pounds in 6 @600mg months....no change in diet. I did cold turkey and no withdraw. Only learned after about weaning off it. I would not recommend doing cold turkey. Ten years later I tried Cymbalta and this worked for me.(60 mg)

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You described to a T some of the things I have experienced using gabapentin 600 mg three times a day. Thank you for putting it into words. I couldn't figure out how to explain it to anyone. All 3 symptoms I experience. Quite embarrassing to be involved in explaining something and my mouth says something else than what I am trying to say.

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At 68 I had major spine surgery in 2-2020. I had been on Oxycodone through pain management for a couple years as my back pain worsened. I was given Gabapentin after the surgery along with more Oxycodone. After reading about Gabapentin I didn't take it. I've never had any problems or allergies from any medications. Gabapentin scared me. At this stage of my declining health, mostly arthritis in all my joints, I've learned to manage the Oxycodone. I need a shoulder and knee replacement now, shots don't help. Had a hip replacement three years ago. I'm getting more sedimentary because my back and knee pain keep getting worse. Last year I started using cannibis edibles in the evening which has greatly helped my sleeping. My point here is these drugs may have a cloud over them, but taken in small amounts until one discovers the dosage that works best for you, there may be help there. Is my memory getting worse, yes. Why? Don't know.

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I've heard Parkinson's, alzheimer, memory loss, no thank you.

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Profile picture for mrmacabre @mrmacabre

I've been taking 3600mg of gabapentin a day to dull the pain in my feet for about 3 years now, and all 3 things that you mentioned are things that I occasionally have to deal with. Sometimes my short term memory just disappears. I'll be in the middle of a sentence, and then I forget what I was even talking about.
I also have trouble speaking sometimes as well, I'll know what I want to say, but the words don't come out right, I have to stumble for them, and it's embarrassing. And I occasionally have trouble swallowing, even without trying to swallow food or any liquid. Just the act of swallowing takes some effort.

I've just assumed that these were the kinds of things that happen as you get older, I turned 66 last month. I'm the oldest member of my family now that our parents are gone, as well as our older sister who passed away in 2020, so I don't have anyone to talk to about this. They might be side effects from my medication, but how would you determine something like that? I'm taking 12 prescription drugs currently for multiple issues, including neuropathy in my feet.
I think I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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@mrmacabre I have been noticed from many people has put there stories about living with Gabapentin tablets pain killers. I have been using the Gabapentin as well since after the disease Bird Flu 2009.
I think in 2011 my GP sent me to Private Hospital in Dublin for my feet were in pain.
The Doctor do a diagnosed and having told I have Diabetes neropethy from nerve damage to my feet.
When I have put on medication I have been noticed my brain having problems as fog brain, poor concentration, focus, headache, forget words, bad speech for getting words, cheeks pain, teeth issues and even more complicated symptoms.
I didn't realised what all this has caused trouble into my life.
After couple of months I went diagnosed to the assessment to hospital they have been told me by my consultant who has put you on prescription Gabapentin with knowing I don't have diabetes neuropathy.

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Profile picture for mariatela @mariatela

I've heard Parkinson's, alzheimer, memory loss, no thank you.

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@mariatela
Everyone reacts very differently to any medication. I have been taking 350 mg 3x a day for several years with no problems. At 82 years old my memory not as sharp as it used to be but aging is not a memory enhancer.

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I take 600 milligrams 3x a day and have some short term memory loss which I deal with by writing things down that are important like appointment dates. The other issues you mentioned disappeared over time. I hope that helps.

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