Side effects of Gabapentin

Posted by dlexvold @dlexvold, Jan 25 10:14pm

What are the most prominent side effects for gabapentin being taken for pain management?

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cleveland26 | @cleveland26 | Feb 16 12:38pm

In reply to @bini41 "@cleveland26 I stopped taking gabapentin recently because it’s said to cause dementia 😫" + (show)

Yes, I have now seen that mentioned recently in these forums and elsewhere. I would really like to get off it completely. I have tried Lyrica (pregabalin) and nortriptyline, both with unwanted side effects. I hope that the combined effect of magnesium, vitamin d, vitamin b12 and now recently r alpha lipoic acid (RALA), will help in further reducing if not eliminating the need for gababentin, my gee! drug.

botterd | @botterd | Feb 17 4:44pm

In reply to @cleveland26 "@bini41 Yes, I have now seen that mentioned recently in these forums and elsewhere. I would..." + (show)

@cleveland26 I refuse to take gabapentin since it does nothing to repair only mask. And I don't want the side effects. Taxol caused diarrhea which I'm waiting to be resolved before I add back magnesium, ALA, and Vitamin B complex.

lchilbert | @lchilbert | Feb 17 6:21pm

I have taken different dosages of Gabapentin for 25 years. I try to go completely off and nerve pains get worse. I have Small fiber neuropathy, and spinal stenosis. I am now on Cymbalta twice a day and Gabapentin 300 mg twice a day. My last blood tests showed mildly elevated liver enzymes, since adding the Cymbalta. Dr said to cut Cymbalta to once a day. Keep taking the Gabapentin. I have never had elevates liver enzymes just taking Gabapentin.

cleveland26 | @cleveland26 | Feb 17 7:17pm

I take gabapentin 4 times a day, total 1500mg. I find the timing is crucial. After 6 hours the feeling of intense pins and needles returns.

It's like the continental shelf, the water depth plunging from hundreds of feet to thousands. This reflects I believe the half life of gabapentin of 6 to 7 hours.

I'm slowly trying to reduce each dose but maintain the timing of 4 times a day.

gregd1956 | @gregd1956 | Feb 18 11:20am

Dear @dlexvold
It’s not pain but my anti-sezuir instead
Thx
Greg D. @greg1956

humblyhoping | @humblyhoping | Feb 18 12:17pm

In reply to @cleveland26 "I take gabapentin 4 times a day, total 1500mg. I find the timing is crucial. After..." + (show)

@cleveland26 I take gabapentin 2 to 3 times a day. 300 mg. It only takes the edge off so walking is tolerable. It does not last long.
I am going to ask for pregabalin next week. It is supposed to be stronger, absorb 90% and last longer.
Quality of life is poor. I hate the medication but my neuropathy is so painful I have too. I stretch everyday to keep muscles healthy. Very very difficult disease. Really bad balance problems.

humblyhoping | @humblyhoping | Feb 18 12:19pm

In reply to @botterd "@cleveland26 I refuse to take gabapentin since it does nothing to repair only mask. And I..." + (show)

@botterd what does Taxol do for nerve pain? First time hearing of this medication.

botterd | @botterd | Feb 18 12:53pm

In reply to @humblyhoping "@botterd what does Taxol do for nerve pain? First time hearing of this medication." + (show)

@humblyhoping sorry for the confusion. Taxol or paclitaxel was the chemo drug that I got. I had tons of side effects (diarrhea, loss of hair/ taste buds/ toenails), weird rash on feet and of course neuropathy.

cleveland26 | @cleveland26 | Feb 18 1:06pm

In reply to @humblyhoping "@cleveland26 I take gabapentin 2 to 3 times a day. 300 mg. It only takes the..." + (show)

@humblyhoping

I hope the pregabalin works out for you. It did not for me. It caused considerable swelling in my feet and a general overall feeling of fatigue, more so even than gabapentin. So, after less than 10 days I stopped taking pregabalin and returned to gabapentin.

But as this forum illustrates, every person is different in the reaction to medications. A treasure? Trash? Sometimes neither, sometimes both!

All the best to you.

humblyhoping | @humblyhoping | Feb 18 2:19pm

In reply to @cleveland26 "@humblyhoping I hope the pregabalin works out for you. It did not for me. It caused..." + (show)

@cleveland26 thank you for letting me know what happened to you.
I don’t want swollen feet.
I had spinal surgery almost 2 years ago. Electrical pain through out the legs to the toes. Extreme pain. Feet swollen. Surgery stopped that but nerve damage is a real battle I hope one day just goes away. I don’t think so cause it’s getting worse.
Good luck to you too