Connect
← Return to Loss of awareness of where your body is in space
Discussion
Loss of awareness of where your body is in space
Neuropathy | Last Active: Nov 9, 2020 | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
Hi Sunny, I’m so sorry you seem to suffer from so many side effects from the gabapentin, some of which I would have to disagree with your saying they are commonly felt. I also don’t think it necessary for everyone to take them 3xday; everyone reacts differently to meds so what works for one may not hold true for someone else. There may be many reasons one may experience brain fog, loss of memory, balance problems, etc. especially if other drugs and other health issues are present. Most side effects get better or disappear ( usually) once the body acclimates to it if there is no allergic reaction. Just my two cents. Helen
Replies to "Hi Sunny, I’m so sorry you seem to suffer from so many side effects from the..."
Hi Helen, hope you are doing well. Good to hear from you!
The many, many times I've researched the side-effects of Gabapentin, they are the same; vision problems included. I have almost every one of them and they are absolutely horrible and can result in some harmful things such as balance issues causing falls. They are often referred to as "common". I have been on it for about a year and a half and they continue.
However, it does numb the brain's perception of my and other's unrelenting head to toe intolerable neuropathy pain so I continue to take it but agonize about it daily. In fact, I have titrated my dose higher, a little at a time for better pain coverage. I am taking only 800mg, divided into 3 doses per day, 300mg wake-up, again afternoon and 100mg at bedtime. There are patients who take over 3000 mg/day!
Also, three times a day appears to achieve the most therapeutic frequency bc of it 's short half-life per my Endocrinologist and pharmacists with whom I have discussed this with at great length, several times. My sister has back pain from a disc problem and is fine taking a very low dose at bedtime only. It is not the neuropathy pain I and most people on the neuropathy blog have.
As always, one should take as directed by their doctor, but feel free to tell them if they aren't experiencing the relief they need. I thought I clarified one should talk with their doctor on the post you are responding to but it appears I could have done a better job. I will try to do better at that.
The info I shared has been mine, many patients I know, and what many people here on the blog have shared is their experience with Gabapentin regarding the unwanted side-effects; all common.
And most importantly, what my Neurologist, the pharmacist and both my ophthalmologists and retinal specialist have told me.
Regarding medications, even over the counter, they can affect each person in different ways. One must always be mindful of that and only take as directed!
I hope and pray I didn't lead anyone astray. 😟
Warmest regards, Sunnyflower
Connect
@helennicola
Hi Helen, Linda took gabapentin for about 6-8 weeks before her symptoms became so bad she could no longer tolerate them and she had to be gradually weaned off of it.. Her doctor never mentioned that the symptoms might subside at some point if she didn't stop and perhaps if she had kept on with it they would have gotten better but she just could not stand the status quo any longer,. She had a number of symptoms, but the dizziness was the worst. When you are experiencing something that is intolerable beyond question, it's hard to keep it up, regardless of whether they tell you the side effects might get better after a time. Best, Hank