Gabapentin - being linked to increased risk of dementia

@19281928
Many seizure medications cause cognitive issues. It may not be a good drug for you but that doesn't mean it's a bad drug.
As far as dementia is concerned, there has been a link, but there's no proof of causation.
I know seizure patients who have been taking it since it came out, over 30 years ago and they are all still functioning on all cylinders.
Also, the Potential link between some seizure medication's are usually related to first generation drugs. Gabapentin is a second-generation drug.
But there has been an
association between certain long-term, high-dose Anti-Seizure Medications including Gabapentin.
Many seizure medications slow down the central nervous system thereby causing cognitive issues. I’ve taken over 300,000 seizure medications in the last 60 years including the maximum daily dose of 3,600 mg of Gabapentin and I haven't lost it yet. No direct cause of brain damage has been found.
Take care,
Jake

DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!! Every time I see something about Gabapentin, I am reminded of the terrible effects of it on my poor mom, whose dementia worsened markedly after it was prescribed and nurses insisted it had nothing to do with the drug. I continue to feel guilt for not protecting her from this and a couple of other prescribed drugs.

@rbutros I am the same way, these drugs disturb me and what they have done to people's lives 🥰

@mayofeb2020 If subscribe to consumerlab, you may want to check their section on red yeast rice. The lovastatin in red yeast rice is a "natural" alternative to statins, but the brand with the highest concentration should be treated the same as a statin, particularly the need to take COQ 10. I went off statins over a decade ago and when my labs started climbing I tried the red yeast rice. It took a while to figure out you have to be totally compliant, no skipping around it. The trick is you have to take the full dosage, two times a day, very consistently. I had to go off all supplements for an operation two years ago and the effect on my labs was evidence enough how well it works. I don't have statin-induced neuropathy but my husband does (in his legs.) He is now on a combination of LEQVIO and Ezetimibe. He uses red light therapy, TENS and a heating pad almost every night and it reduces the pain significantly. If he stops exercising for over a week, it comes back with a vengeance. Hope one of these will help you.

@lindasrk11 thank you for your advice. I've been thinking of red light therapy too and can you tell me what kind your husband has. I don't have a problem going to bed. My legs don't hurt, but it's my calves that's giving me trouble during the day. Standing, walking and even sitting. My statin dosage is very low, 5 mg every other day. I have stopped for 4 months one time and the pain did not stop. Right now I'm going to physical therapy. Apparently I need to build up my hip muscle and have a stronger core. It's very difficult when you are in your late 70s . I hope it's not too late to ditch the statin and go on red yeast rice. Thanks again.

@mayofeb2020 Hi! I'm sorry you aren't getting relief yet. The one i got him is the Novaalab Novaa Light Pad. It wraps around your leg so he uses it on both his thigh and his calf. Does that statin dosage do the job for you? Because if it does work and your pain doesn't change when you go off it, it probably isn't the cause. I have neuropathy in an odd place that started after an operation and there is not one doctor who has even tried to explain it. They shrug like it's the mystery of the universe. (Which means: medicine has not discovered specifically what causes it, they just have a bunch of multiple choice answers.) My husband's statin dosage was over 40 mg/day for decades. His neuropathy is unlikely to go away but he can mitigate it. As far as PT: you ALWAYS need to to build your hip muscles, your glutes and your core when you're our age--that's not a very specific protocol. Those muscles ARE critical and will help you walk better, which you absolutely should prioritize. But I think consistent and regular movement of the legs throughout the day, every day, is a big part of the answer. Studies are showing that consistent movement is better than the gym for general health. I try to stand, stretch and/or do SOMETHING every hour (even ankle rotations count.) There are plenty of sitting and prone exercises that don't take much time or equipment. Your PT should have plenty of options for you. I have been following Debra Atkinson ("Flipping50") since she started that business. I have subscribed since the beginning but she has plenty of things for free on YouTube and Instagram.

@lindasrk11 I was walking and hiking before I had the TIA in 2020. I was put on statin then. Never had it before. My cholesterol was not high, just borderline. That's what made me think this is too much of a coincidence, so my doctor reluctantly let me go off for 4 months. I am on Crestor, so is my doctor. I read that you had neuropathy after your surgery. I had back surgery last March, it was supposed to correct the problem with my back and legs. When this didn't happen, I ask my surgeon and he said the same thing your doctor said ...sometimes surgery can cause neuropathy. .HA!! Can't win! He told me to try magnesium, B12, and alpha Lipoic Acid . I've been taking magnesium anyway for sleep. I'm taking all three but not seeing much relief. I'm doing my best in exercises, sometimes it's very discouraging and depressing. But I'm going to keep doing it. I am too impatient. My PT person is not letting up. He has a certificate in conditioning and strengthening so I guess he knows what he's doing. Now I have this terrible pain in my shoulder blade and shoulder. He gave me some tips too. I have an acupuncturist that I go to for my shoulder, last year she fixed my problem. It flared up again this week.
My pain management doctor wanted me to take this nerve test , I had done something like this 2 years ago, emailed his secretary the report last week to see if he thinks it's the same one or a different one. He spent a good 5 , yes 5 minutes with me. I'll look into the infrared thing. I appreciate you listening to me ranting away.

@mayofeb2020 Is the nerve test an EMG by any chance? If so, I wouldn't bet the ranch on it. My husband had one two years ago and the test showed he shouldn't be able to walk at all. Again, shrugs all around, and by TWO neurologists. The rotating pain cycle you are in is causing your discouragement and it's no wonder. I totally empathize because your nervous system is overwhelmed. (BTW--get a scan for that shoulder before anyone treats it.) My neuropathy is under my arms and is a result of an operation 10 years ago. I am still on gabapentin for that although I've weened myself down to 1/3 of the original dose. I had a lumbar fusion myself a year and a half ago (maybe we have that in common too). No sooner had I worn the back brace for 4 months when BAM. I got the vertigo out of nowhere. So only now am I able to do PT for my back but the cervical PT takes precedence. My poor therapist doesn't know which end is up. He has to ask me where the four alarm fire is each time I see him. I just keep telling myself that if you don't use it, you lose it, but it's still a painful road. (It helps every once in a while to cheat and take a mental health day, do none of it but pretend you're doing it in your head. ) 🙂

Yes! It's the EMG test. The neurologist at that time said the pain in my legs, mainly the calves, is from the back and referred me back to the pain doctor. I also had the ultrasound test to make sure I have good blood flow in my legs. No problem there either. The back surgery I had was fusion too L3 and L4, with a spacer. I had it in March last year , in June I was well enough to fly up to WA State to stay with my daughter for a few days and we all flew up to Canada for my great niece's wedding. I was very encouraged. Then it slipped back to pain again. Everything in the MRI and X-ray showed no abnormality. It's like my brain just didn't register the correction and still flares up every time I move! Like your PT, mine couldn't understand either. I'm trying everything. Of all places, why my calves?? If I can get the pain level to 5 out of 10, I can deal with it, but the moment I put my feet on the ground when I get up in the morning till to to bed, I had to deal with a 8 or 9. I am out walking 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon. Sitting doesn't help so I'm in and out of the chair. Anyway, I just have to keep moving. I thank you for your advice. I have to call my pain doctor to see if he wants me to take the nerve test again. I had 2 epidurals this year and they didn't help so I think he's at a loss too.

@mayofeb2020 gabapentin targets nerve pain. For me, it works only locally where the burning pain arose right after the operation. It was useless for other pain, even neurological pain in other places (i'm thinking sciatica I had for 8 months coming from the nerves in my lumbar spine.) I wonder if your calf pain is not neurological? Does massage help? And does the pain stop while you are walking? That might indicate something more muscle-related.