Gabapentin - being linked to increased risk of dementia

Posted by mikead63 @mikead63, Jul 12 12:12pm

According to a large scale observational study published in the journal "Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine", patients who received frequent gabapentin prescriptions were significantly more likely to develop dementia and/or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Researchers analyzed anonymized medical records from tens of thousands of Americans sourced from TriNetX, a federated health research network with electronic health records from 68 healthcare organizations across the country.
They found that patients whom had received six or more gabapentin prescriptions were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with dementia and 85% more likely to be diagnosed with MCI within 10 years of their initial pain diagnosis.
There is more - To view the full report:
https://doi.org/10.1136/rapm-2025-106577

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

sbelur | @sbelur | Sep 7 6:25pm

In reply to @sungaltoo "I don’t really think it helps me with neuropathy. It seems yo help me more with..." + (show)

What are these - Healthy Feet and nerve supplement? Can you share more info on these?

laurenthewise1 | @laurenthewise1 | Sep 7 7:34pm

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10266423/
Here is a link to an additional study on the use of gabapentin and increased risk of dementia.

sungaltoo | @sungaltoo | Sep 8 9:45am

In reply to @sbelur "What are these - Healthy Feet and nerve supplement? Can you share more info on these?" + (show)

I get it on Amazon. The first week I took 2 a day and then felt relief so I went down to 1 a day and still take it. I had shown it to my neurologist before I started on it and he said it was good. My restless legs and burning stopped after the first week. It may take longer for other people who have it worse to feel relief but for me it’s been great.
It’s basically a natural formula of B vitamins and herbs with the more readily absorbable form of B1, which is thiamine. Most people don’t get it from diet and vitamins usually have the synthetic form that may not be absorbed

gregd1956 | @gregd1956 | Sep 9 11:41am

who has demential or mild cognitive and gabagentine meds maybe pain-med…

Hey, I’m here for my anti- seizure med gabagentin & yes, this moment (for the last 13 years ago) I am a mild cognitives person and TBI member, too 😉

I lost my memory from my family when young. I lost my memory just before my accident 13 years ago, including my music guitar, helping and teaching of what I did, working at my cityofdoing great things, and in, BUT I’m alive! ❤️

Thx,
Greg D. @greg1956

gregd1956 | @gregd1956 | Sep 9 11:45am

Opp, my life changed even everyday. I enjoy daily I love this ❤️ and my family & friends. And thankfully, my wife is great for out maaiagr - for last 43 years ago ❤️

hoch | @hoch | Sep 15 10:38am

In reply to @kimmiesue "So frustrating...I'm thinking I may have neuropathy and I know this is widely prescribed. I was..." + (show)

So many doctors prescribe Gabapentin like it was candy. I've had two neurologists and two primary care doctors who wanted to prescribe it to me, even though I wasn't experiencing any pain. One told me that he has many patients on it and that some are at the max dose and want more. That was my signal that I was in the presence of a pill pusher, and never to return to this doctor! None of these doctors was interested in doing any testing to see what was causing my symptoms. It makes me so angry! I found a new primary who at least has an interest in finding a solution to my situation. He is happy to perform any testing I request and has suggested additional testing of what he thinks may be a cause.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 16 9:28am

@hoch
Can you share what symptoms you are experiencing?
Jake

hoch | @hoch | Sep 16 10:09am

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@hoch Can you share what symptoms you are experiencing? Jake" + (show)

Numbness and tingling in both of my feet. Muscle twitching in both of my calf muscles and sometimes in my thighs. If I walk barefoot on a hard surface, it feels like I'm walking bone on floor. The odd thing is that, unlike most, my feet don't bother me at night. I'm thankful for that! I do have some balance issues when my feet first hit the floor in the morning.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 17 10:22am

@hoch
It sounds like you're describing neuropathy and that's probably why your doctor offered Gabapentin. It is often prescribed especially since opioids are not prescribed as often. Fentanyl helped me more than anything else although it didn't totally get rid of my neuropathy or my back pain.
My feet too bothered me walking barefoot. My podiatrist told me to always wear high-quality shoes.
Has your new doctor found a solution to your symptoms?
Jake

hoch | @hoch | Sep 17 11:11am

I'm pretty sure it is neuropathy, but why would these doctors want to start someone on Gabapentin when they are not experiencing any pain, and why would they do that before doing any real testing? It just didn't sit well with me. My goal has always been to find a root cause, but they don't seem interested in doing that. My new primary has not found a cause or solution yet. I'm going to see a new neurologist in a different healthcare system to see if he offers any help. I have been seeing a nutritionist for about 8 months. I did a detox and now working on getting everything in good order. My diet is raw, organic, grass-fed, pasture-raised, whole food, with no heavily processed foods, seed oils, and low sugar and carbs. Shoes are important. I only wear shoes with a wide toe box. I've found I can't wear regular shoes anymore; the toe box is just too tight. I rarely go barefoot around the house.