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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celia16 | @celia16 | May 25 2:42am

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@celia16 Hello, Maybe start by taking 50 or 100 mg and increasing it very slowly Jake" + (show)

I guess I could see about starting with 50, because I started with 100, which is very low. I took it at bedtime and it helped me relax. And, the next day I felt so good! I mean very good! Maybe it was due to my good rest, but I felt so content! Just peaceful and calm. That’s why I think it could help my anxiety, in case that is exacerbating my issues.

julkun | @julkun | May 25 8:57am

I have diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both feet. I was taking 2,700 mg and now I am taking 1,800. For starters, I don't think it works that well on pain (for me). Second, it does make you sluggish. I think a lot of the sluggishness comes from interactions with other drugs. Any studies on this?

jan0815 | @jan0815 | May 25 5:33pm

In reply to @jakedduck1 "Hello Sundance, I wrote you earlier but it I lost it. I’ll send a few lines..." + (show)

Hello Sundance,
I have been on Gabapentin 2- 300 mg tablets for several years along with a low dose of Cymbalta, my doctor said the 2 meds work together. I have the burning and tingling worse in the evening and when I go to bed. I find if I take the Cymbalta in the morning and the 2 tablets at bedtime it helps me to be able to sleep through the night.

lisebeau | @lisebeau | May 25 5:48pm

In reply to @kenc "Gabapentin works wonders for some and not so for others. Just make sure you follow you..." + (show)

I take 300mg once a day,my dr increased it, i took 2 but in the morning i was so sleepy and it does nothing for my pain

harley22 | @harley22 | May 25 6:56pm

In reply to @lisebeau "I take 300mg once a day,my dr increased it, i took 2 but in the morning..." + (show)

I was on 1800 mg per day and it did nothing to help me.

tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 26 9:01am

In reply to @harley22 "I was on 1800 mg per day and it did nothing to help me." + (show)

Hi Gabapentine
Users. On 2700/day. 400 mg x 9 for chronic migraine.
Always avoid drugs if you can find another way.
With that said after 7 years on it, it helps with pain and sleep. Probably better than the ametriptoline or Ativan I will never be able to be off unless I take something in the same category like
Cymbalta. Tried and hated the impossible side effects.
Good luck Tony

marquis113 | @marquis113 | May 26 9:43am

My doctor just switched me to 1200 mg at night and if tolerated up to 1800 at night. It seems to help with burning on feet and ankles. I dc'd my morning dose. It has helped my tiredness in the morning.

tony1946 | @tony1946 | May 26 2:04pm

Hi fellow gabapentians!
78 yo 400 mg x 9/day also on Ativan 1/4 mg day and ametriptoline 20 mg . Nap everyday always tired.
Chronic migraine and spine issues.
The good news is I cam just about see the finish line. Quality of life is lousy, hoping spine sergury will stop leg numbness so I can exersize.
Tony
Good luck

marquis113 | @marquis113 | May 28 8:13pm

In reply to @marquis113 "My doctor just switched me to 1200 mg at night and if tolerated up to 1800..." + (show)

Update. Ok I discontinued my morning dose and after 2 days felt like I was run over by a truck the pain was so bad. So I am back on gabapentin 400 mg in the morning and 400 mg at 4 pm and 600 mg at bedtime. Seems to be a little better.