1. < Neuropathy

Does Gabapentin have any side effects?

Posted by skip @skipneuroathy, Jan 12 6:55pm

I have had neuropathy (chemo induced) since 2009. In the early years, under doctor's directions I had to gradually increase my daily intake of gabapentin to 2300 mg (yes, 2.3 grams) until I felt any relief from the pain, burning, ...etc. I had to gradually decrease my intake to 0 mg because of the 8 possible side effects that Google reported, I had 3 of them. The one of most concern to me was double vision. The other two were extreme tiredness and I could fall asleep while I was talking to you. After stropping taking gabapentin, I do not have double vision but am still sleep deprived. Since that time I have used a mild Vicodin for some years, an d now tramadol. I have been very careful to not take more than prescribed. In fact, I do not take pain meds during the day. If I hurt, I just hurt.
I found that Tylenol helps between the more stronger meds. I found some socks that I wear at night that offers I some relief.

Now I'll pontificate a bit. I have been married for 70 years to a really good woman, have children, grand children and great grand children, am a Korean War Vet, 92 years old, and have truly enjoyed teaching for 40 years as a high school and university teacher and have had many other experiences that have fulfilled my life, so it has been a good ride. So, even though our neuropathy will always be with us, as much as possible, keep smiling keep helping others less fortunate than , and keep on keeping on.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

ruthblaze | @ruthblaze | Jan 16 7:30pm
In reply to @babby "My ex has gained 60 lbs on Gabapentin. He is now on oxygen from it. My..." + (show)
@babby

My ex has gained 60 lbs on Gabapentin. He is now on oxygen from it. My spouse just got prescribed Pregablin and his feet swelled up the size of footballs and a horrible rash. Both drugs are junk and doctors need to quit with the fear of prescribing pain medication like opioids. It’s causing so much harm in my opinion putting people on these other drugs that have horrendous side effects. My opinion.

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I’m one of the few people that gabapentin has helped. I take 600 mg twice daily for chronic pain I have no side effects would be happy to get off it but at 79 I’m happy something helps the torture

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ruthblaze | @ruthblaze | Jan 16 7:41pm
In reply to @daisy22 "I agree. Start diagnosing and treating without scary drugs that people react to and don't work..." + (show)
@daisy22

I agree. Start diagnosing and treating without scary drugs that people react to and don't work anyway. I've come to the decision to treat myself sometimes and not take drugs that I don't know if I'll react to until I take it. Take care of yourself as researchers don't want to investigate a disease without big money back to them and the drug companies.

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I have no shame in taking medications that keep me alive and active at 79 years old. I thank the scientists who come up with medications that extend life and relieve pain. I thank them that radiation and chemotherapy has allowed my husband to live 20 years after a cancer diagnosis our ancestors were not as fortunate

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Angie P. | @ancopau1998 | Jan 17 9:27am

I had hallucinations with Gabapentin. I was in the hospital and they started me on it. My Daughter came and I was so out of it she told the nurse and was taken off. It lasted a whole day and night. Not for me!!

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1 reply
jphenley | @jphenley | Jan 17 9:46am
In reply to @ancopau1998 "I had hallucinations with Gabapentin. I was in the hospital and they started me on it...." + (show)
@ancopau1998

I had hallucinations with Gabapentin. I was in the hospital and they started me on it. My Daughter came and I was so out of it she told the nurse and was taken off. It lasted a whole day and night. Not for me!!

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I had the very same experience!

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1 reply
Angie P. | @ancopau1998 | Jan 17 9:56am
In reply to @jphenley "I had the very same experience!" + (show)
@jphenley

I had the very same experience!

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I said to My daughter that I like to go on a trip but not that kind!! Were you picking things in the air? I was also seeing things and very mean at times. I see not for you either!!

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joycereed13 | @joycereed13 | Jan 17 10:03am
In reply to @daisy22 "I had terrible dizziness, seratonin syndrome, blurred vision and more. I won't take any of those..." + (show)
@daisy22

I had terrible dizziness, seratonin syndrome, blurred vision and more. I won't take any of those drugs mainly used for seizures, so hope I never get seizures. I couldn't drive to work, walk or even when I sat down or laid down in bed I was dizzy. If you try, ask your doc for a few days supply so you don't waste money on drugs you can't take.

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I had terrible upper leg cramps that stopped when I stopped Gabapentin

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choosejoy | @choosejoy | Jan 17 10:04am
In reply to @joanland "Hi ChooseJoy- May I ask more about your implanted spinal cord stimulator? How satisfied have you..." + (show)
@joanland

Hi ChooseJoy-
May I ask more about your implanted spinal cord stimulator? How satisfied have you been with it? For what symptoms was it implanted? How long have you had it?
I've been offered one by my spine doc and have been hesitant to procede with it. I'm very interested in your experience.

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Hi Joanland,
It has only been 20 days since my Boston Scientific SCS was put in. The surgery recovery itself is intense but the relief offered for my dual sided sciatica has made it worth it. I’ve been fused L4-S1 for herniated discs impinging on the nerves. The surgeries did not take away the sciatica nor did the removal of the hardware once the bones around the fusions had set.
It took me about 3 years to decide on moving forward with a SCS. My surgeon, whom I trust for sound advice, said that the stimulators have made a lot of technical advances in the last couple of years. So far so good with the outcome.
If you go to SpineHealth within this Mayo forum, you can read others comments. I’d just be aware that some of them refer to much older stimulators that weren’t as advanced as what is currently available.
Best of health to you.

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minfromtexas | @minfromtexas | Jan 17 11:17am
In reply to @choosejoy "I started taking gabapentin in 2016 after stabbing, fiery nerve pain post an L5/S1 fusion. It..." + (show)
@choosejoy

I started taking gabapentin in 2016 after stabbing, fiery nerve pain post an L5/S1 fusion. It allowed me to get off of opioids which for me had worse side effects.
Side effects for me on Gabapentin did not include any weight gain. Mine were more typical such as drowsiness, unsteadiness on feet when first getting up and foggy thinking. These dissipated as my body became more used to the 2100mg/day dose - split into 3 times a day. For me the side effects were worth the relief given.
I recently had a spinal cord stimulator implanted so have not needed the gabapentin. During the years I was on it, my greatest relief was at night when it helped me sleep. I did have to plan ahead on timing of taking it so i wasn’t driving immediately after dosing. But I also talked to plenty of others who attributed horrible nightmares to the drug or extreme sleepiness that couldn’t tolerate it. Always good to remember we are all different so what might work for one doesn’t for another.

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Its so interesting to hear how different folks react to the same drugs. After trying a slew of other drugs, we finally landed on Gabapentin 800mg p.m 400 mg a.m.. I too have a spinal cord stimulator. Even with both, my feet still hurt but I am able to sleep. I found that aerobic exercise is the best antidote for muscle cramps, but nothing really helps the foot pain.

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artemis1886 | @artemis1886 | Jan 17 1:45pm

Gabapentin caused swelling of my throat, eyes, hands, triggered my anst and memory loss could not remember anything. I broke down crying because I had just laid down my car keys and could not find them. I read the side effects and quit taking the drug. My friend with MS had been on it for years and had memory problems and I told her that was one of the side effects. She went off the drug and she was amazed at how much better her memory had gotten.

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joanland | @joanland | Jan 17 4:00pm
In reply to @lk3xs "Just know if you ever decide to stop taking it you MUST TAPER off. On it..." + (show)
@lk3xs

Just know if you ever decide to stop taking it you MUST TAPER off. On it for shingles then stay on because helped knee pain. Worse withdrawals. Migraines, anxiety shakes insomnia

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How slowly did you taper off? I'm now tapering and don't want to experience the symptoms that withdrawing gave you.
Wishing you the very best.

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