Hey everyone So I have been taking Gabapentin for about 2 months now; 300mg 3x a day. I was prescribed it after having a tumor removed from my neck which in turn resulted in nerve damage. It helps with the pain from the nerve damage 100% but holy the side effects! I feel like I could fall asleep at any time, anywhere throughout the day. As I type this I have a hard time keeping my eyes open. I constantly feel off balance and almost 'drunk' to an extent. I'm also suffering from memory loss. I have a hard time remembering what I did 20 minutes ago. My question is, has anyone else experienced these side effects and if so did you find they ever diminished or am I best to look into a different route. I'm going to see my surgeon in a couple weeks so just looking for some insight from fellow users of this med. Thanks in advance and Cheers
Sorry to hear this Becky but I have been taking Gabapentin for about a year-and-a-half now and the symptoms do not go away. I wish I had better news for you. I also hear that it is a very very hard drug to get off of because of the side effects. I am having surgery Thursday to clip a nerve in my face because of a root canal that went terribly wrong and I hope to be able to get off of Gabapentin if the surgery is a success. I am not looking forward to trying to wean off of this horrible medication. Good luck.
I'm currently trying to taper off gabapentin. It has made Me incredible ill and I experienced every side effect that You have. I've been on it 5 years and still have 1600 mg more to taper off. The chronic infections are about to do Me in! Bad infections! Menegitis was last one! Good luck to You! Sherri
Hate to say this, but for me it just kept getting worse and worse. Worked for nerve pain, but after 6 weeks of 2400 mg a day my short term memory was shattered, my cognitive abilities and ability to focus was gone. Tired all the time, bloated, emotional, horrible balance... And the withdrawals is absolutely horrible for me personally
If You decide to taper off, please do so with medical guidance! It is the worst withdrawal I've ever experienced too! For a drug that was claimed to be non addictive then I guess it's considered to be a physical dependence. Everybody is different so there is no one way to detox. Meaning they don't know how! Some go 10 mg per week. I've heard of some going cold turkey. Not recommended!! Yet I started at 3600 mg and today I'm at 1400 mg. I can't think at all and My Daughter still has to help Me with everything! I'm too sick and don't know how much longer I know I tapered off too fast! Good luck! The pain is decreasing so I know it is worth it!! I will be praying for all of You!! Sherri
I am not on such a strong dose but I appreciate your question. I had to start taking it due to Neuropathy from Chemo. I am having the same memory problems, balance issues, etc At first I thought it was Chemo brain. There must be another drug to help with this.