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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gsc100 | @gsc100 | May 16 12:41am

Just cut the dosage! It not crucial to take the dose prescribed sometimes! I was on for some time and it helped with pain. However I also was tired all the time. I decided to try one less a day and it worked out great. I don't mess with dosage of antibodies but most pain and nerve medicine can be adjusted!

sondrakhugg | @sondrakhugg | May 16 9:43am

Ask your Rheumatologist about starting low-dose naltrexone. If he/she doesn’t prescribe it, see a functional medicine doctor. It is the latest greatest thing for pain and many, many other symptoms. Google it. I just started 2 1/2 weeks ago. Wishing you pain relief! ❤️

kenc | @kenc | May 16 5:46pm

Gabapentin works wonders for some and not so for others. Just make sure you follow you doctors instruction, if you decide. afterwards. that the medication is not for you

gracie71 | @gracie71 | May 18 11:16pm

In reply to @bunnybear "Was Lyrica also implicated in contributing to dementia? They work differently." + (show)

I've no idea if Lyrica is implicated with dementia. My own personal experience with Lyrica was terrible and getting off it was a tremendous relief.

afklasen2024 | @afklasen2024 | May 23 8:37am

I got stomach pain, 400 at 3Xs a day, no longer take, I use hypnosis which I've used for 64 years and ice at the worst pain.

sunnyhunt | @sunnyhunt | May 24 2:45am

I was on gabapentin for nearly a year, 300mg. I also experienced tiredness and fuzziness. Stopped taking it after experiencing an episode of A-fib, found it was a possible side effect. Unfortunate as it did help with the pain.

karensm | @karensm | May 24 10:42am

In reply to @sunnyhunt "I was on gabapentin for nearly a year, 300mg. I also experienced tiredness and fuzziness. Stopped..." + (show)

Hi. my Dr had me on 300, then 600, then 900 mg Gabapentin day 3x day! I felt I was in la la land plus pain still there, had to drink coffee 24/7 to stay awake. She indicated that side effects were there and got down to 600 a day. Still felt lousy. Got myself off slowly of all pills. Feel much better, thinking clearer and seeing my phone clearer (sight is one of the complaints). Yes still pain, but know I can remember things! Totally worth it, I feel better doing it. Been 22 days off.

sinkie | @sinkie | May 24 12:56pm

I have been on gabapentin for almost 15 years now. At my initial diagnosis of IPN I resisted medication but after a few years I finally started on a low dose. I definitely noticed that I was tired but as with most medications I found it decreased over time but now I am on 600 mg 3x daily. I have tried Lyrica and cymbalta but had side effects from them. Gabapentin is the only medication that works for me. It helps with the symptoms, tingling and numbness. Everyone is different and I am thankful I can tolerate gabapentin but over 15 years my dosage was slowly increased. Maybe that’s why.