Gabapentin side effects?

What did you switch to?

i take it for facial nerve pain, i have MS, trigeminal neuralgia. It can make you tired, can be subscribed at 100 mg a night for sleep in fact. Other bad side effects, your balance, mine at least, becomes very hard to maintain. Overdoing gabapentin increases the risk of falling. You need to taper down. Slowly. If you're using 300 mgs, start using 100 mg instead. Try to use them when it's time to go to sleep. Best of luck.

Chris--Your experience with gabapentin mirrors mine for post-stroke pain. I, too, am experimenting with medical THC--microdosing with 2.5 mg-- per my physiatrist recommendation as I get started. Can you share how you are doing your "planning" with medical cannabis and gabapentin throughout the day? Thanks so much! Rebecca

I appreciate your sharing your experience with Gabapentin. I have been taking 300mg morning and evening for several years. I have severe peripheral/small fiber neuropathy, and it does help reduce the pain. However, I have been living with daily fatigue, problems with balance and brain fog. I am wondering if when you started taking all your gabapentin at night, if it reduced your daytime side effects.

Absolutely, I had the same. My dizziness and brain fog was improved with taking my Gabapentin at night only. I just have to be sure I take it no later than 8:00-9:00pm.

I agree about this drug. Taken in more modest doses it really works for my pain as well as spasticity.
Dizziness, definitely a side effect of concern which is why I prefer taking it at night. 300 mg. once or twice a day has worked for me. Everybody's different!

I'm not your A-Typical patient either, don't feel bad. There are many others like us out there.

I am so sorry that you have gotten to this point, and had to endure so much. I am sure it has been really difficult for you, and you are feeling discouraged, but don't give up the fight. As you stated, you are only 68.

With the surgeries and Radiation next, worrying is going to be a waste of time mentally and physically. I mean that literally from my own experiences. I would immediately focus my energy on how to restore my body from my illnesses and treatment, and trauma (both physically and mentally). Don't overwhelm yourself, just take one step at a time; every little bit helps. In addition to your regular treatments, you may want to consider adding in natural and/or holistic supplements that will not interfere with your other procedures or their positive outcome. Talk to a holistic doctor.

I also have had a lot to deal with over the years. Cancer, complete hysterectomy due to reproductive issues and severe pain, GI issues, Polymylasia Rheumatica (PMR) which symptoms started 3+ years ago, but whose counting? (finally received a diagnosis a week and a half ago), side effects of treatments and drugs over the years, being bedridden in my 50's and 60's, etc. I am now waiting to have my second torn meniscus root repaired, which caused a fracture in my left knee, but can't have that done until my Rheumatologist gets the PMR under control. My gall bladder surgery has also been put on hold. Life sucks some times, but there nothing that isn't worth fighting for.

So you see, it's not where you are right now that matters as much as where you need to get to. Keep up the fight. Don't give up. This is wonderful group of concerned people, and they can help you get through this as well.

Anyone get DIARRHEA with Gabapentin?
It may not be common, but I need help. My DR reduced my prescription from 2,400 mg daily to i/2 that after I have had Violent Diarrhea after 2 weeks. Now that worked for 2 weeks & he reduced it to 800 mg daily.
I had been on 300 mg daily since my heart attack 2010 ?

Cymbalta 2x a day for my neuropathy. Percocet 4x a day for my lower back and neuropathic pain as well as Baclofen up to 4x a day for spasms in my lower spine. I had to retire with a disability because of the chronic pain and the narcotics.

Hi, there Rebecca, (@rebsue, nice to see your post. I think we have shared some other difficult issues. The planning and experimentation going on have essentially made my 1:1 CBD/THC my focal point for pain control and management. I still use my 2:1 CBD/THC for bedtime AND for daytime ease and comfort when I have nothing else to do but watch the river flow by. However, most days require a little more "get up and go" so what I do is try to determine how much 1:1 CBD/THC I will need.

Then there is a way to use the measurements on the dropper of the tincture bottle which can help you determine how much you will need based on your experience. And in case we need reminding, (and I sure do) the dose begins to work quickly if you use the membrane in the front of your mouth to filter it to your brain. Remember that if you swallow it.....and it has to go through your digestive system it could take an hour or more.

As far as gabapentin, my PCP and I agreed to stay at 200 mg a day. And of course, that has to be at bedtime. If this sounds challenging, it is in the beginning. Now I pull up my calendar to check tomorrow and plan my cannabis dosages.

Good luck. The payoff for me has been the withdrawal of the fuzzy brain and increasing forgetfulness. Even my daughter noticed this on the phone last week.

May you have joy and happiness.
Chris