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Gabapentin side effects?

Posted by Sundance(RB) @sundance6, Apr 13, 2019

I am a regular on the Mayo Board! I don't know what I would do without it! Our doctors don't want to discuss openly the things about illnesses and side effets of drugs and other things. Anyway, my question to all of you is Gabapentin and it's side effects. I have been on it now for 6 months. My doctor raised me from 100mg. to now I am on 400mg. three times a day.
The problem is my tiredness! I happen to be in a friends office yesterday and she was taking some medicine. She said she was taking Gabapentin. I asked why and she said she had, had shingles back when and it still helped with the pain. I know the drug is percribed for many things that is why I take it for my issues.
I told her I had been taking it for about 6 months. She asked if I had been tired all the time, just out of the Blue. OF COURSE I SAID YES! She said it took her a year before she got out of the tiredness.
Let me know if any of you have experienced the same thing. Also let me know at what dosage you may be on? I know this is all confidential!
Again Thanks to The Mayo Clinic and Everyone who is kind enough to be open with their lives!
Sundance!

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suzzy | @suzzy | Oct 21, 2023

Dr recommended cut 600 ng gabapentin in half and continue to take 2x a day and call for appointment next week. Foor/ankle swelled 3x its size yesterday, elevated and iced, could be the leaky vein and I did walk (as told) more but that seems to only make the problem worse. Have been on gabapentin over 10 years and balance issue has never left. The last neurologist I saw just upped the dosage so I didn't go back next step trying to get appt with recommended arthritis Dr.

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ripley | @ripley | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @artscaping "Good evening @suzzy. Great name. My family nickname was Susie. My mother was Pinkie and my..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good evening @suzzy. Great name. My family nickname was Susie. My mother was Pinkie and my brother was Buddy. Used to wonder why they bothered naming me Evelyn Christie.......only had it on my driver's license.

Well.....welcome to Connect where you can choose any name you want. I have just read your posts about Gabapentin. I completely understand the brain issues and balance problems. And...... I am 81 years old with a history of multiple knee replacements and shoulder surgeries.

My response to your desire to eliminate the Gapapentin has to begin with a question. Have you discussed this process with your doctor or other medical practitioner? I would not attempt any changes without sharing knowledge and decision-making with your doctor.

I have been on Gabapentin for 10 years. My neurologist recommended it as soon as my skin biopsy came back positive for SFN (small fiber neuropathy). I had dizziness and other side effect issues from day 1. Immediately, he told me to take it all at night and that is what I have done.

About three years ago, my mental ability began to decline, causing memory issues and thinking obstructions. During that same time, the SFN pain and numbness increased. In a shared decision with my PCP, I began to replace the Gabapentin medication with slightly larger and more frequent doses of Medical cannabis.

Over that time, I have gone from 2400 down to 200 mg at bedtime rather slowly. At the same time, I have increased both the frequency and dosage of Medical cannabis tinctures.

It is great to see my cognitive challenges reduce substantially and the problems with planning be somewhat eradicated. I realize that at 81, memory issues are a part of the aging process.

It is also encouraging to know that there are other ways to control the pain of neuropathy. In fact....I feel very sure that the pain reduction from cannabis is much better for me. Then...there will just be the insurance issues. Regardless of your decision, I am here for you.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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Could you share what medical cannabis product you use (only tinctures? (THC, CBD, CBN) strength, and how often you take it? I'm am in our states program but I don't think I'm taking enough or the right products. During the day, I usually take one capsule with 20mg CBD. I have to wait a couple hours after taking my prescription meds in the morning. I'm trying sleep gummies but they aren't helping much. thank you.

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suzzy | @suzzy | Oct 21, 2023

Dr responded to call for reducing Gabapentin, said cut 600 mg in half, still take a.m. p.m. and call for appt.

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marymc4 | @marymc4 | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @sundance6 "Thanks for the imput. Am having discussions with my doctor as we speak today as to..." + (show)
@sundance6

Thanks for the imput. Am having discussions with my doctor as we speak today as to what I should be on. My Biggest Problem is my Headaches. We are having a meeting today.
Thanks,
Sundance

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I didn't know that Gabapentin caused my headaches. Mine are sharp on either side of my head. I thought it was the nerves that are on either side of my head.

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popolopo | @popolopo | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @joybo99 "I've been on Gaba/Neutontin for a long time also, but lower doses than you. Even with..." + (show)
@joybo99

I've been on Gaba/Neutontin for a long time also, but lower doses than you.
Even with my 300 mg, Twice a day usually, I had a lot of dizziness which was a trade-off for less pain. (MS, fibro, arthritis)
When a pain management doctor prescribed a new med on top of the GAB, it added to the dizziness and I suffered a fall for the first time ever-- Still recuperating from that injury.
Then I quit all pain meds because I didn't wanna fall again! I am 69 with osteoporosis-- Really don't wanna be breaking any bones right now!
So now I'm in pain. Lots of pain. Taking Ibuprofen + Acetaminophen and feeling really LOUSY.
Thanks for Sharing your own experience.

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Try CBD with a little bit of TCB. You can get it in capsules or oil. I prefer it to opioid or Advil or Acetaminophen. It is not cheap because insurance won’t cover it. It works !

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2 replies
joybo99 | @joybo99 | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @popolopo "Try CBD with a little bit of TCB. You can get it in capsules or oil...." + (show)
@popolopo

Try CBD with a little bit of TCB. You can get it in capsules or oil. I prefer it to opioid or Advil or Acetaminophen. It is not cheap because insurance won’t cover it. It works !

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Thanks. Been there done that. Doesn't work for everything. Appreciate the comment.

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twistedwillow | @twistedwillow | Oct 22, 2023

I was doing well on Gabapentin for an inflamed nerve but I started to have blurry vision then ended up with true double vision. It’s one of the side effects..

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lynno7 | @lynno7 | Oct 22, 2023

I was taking 800mg 3 times a day.
It caused shakiness.

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1 reply
suzzy | @suzzy | Oct 22, 2023

Thank you, appreciate all the resplys and suggestions. We can only try and keep moving forward best we're able.

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suzzy | @suzzy | Oct 22, 2023

Thank you, appreciate all your responses and suggestions, we can only try to do our best and hopefully move forward.

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