I have been on Gabapentin on and off for about 7 months (since approx January). I was taking it for chronic pelvic pain, and it worked well, but it made me very emotional and made higher cognitive functions difficult. After 4 months of semi-regular use, I got off it quickly, but kept it around in case of a severe pain flare up. As of now I have gone through 2 "100 capsule" bottles of 100mg pills, so not too much. Never took a higher dosage then 300mg and never took more than 300mg in one day.
I've used it a few times recently (in July, just a few weeks ago) when the pain really flared up, thinking it would only have minimal side effects, but it has resulted in continual severe depression and dark thoughts even though I haven't taken any in two weeks. I took it occassionally because I thought the depression was predominantely from the chronic pain, but now I realize the gabapentin was the root of it. I'm terrified because I know the drug has long since left my system but I can't shake the side effects. Doctors and psychologists won't listen to me. They say I'm just depressed and it isn't the medication, but I'm positive it is. The pain is finally improving, I'm going back to school, and things are looking up. But there is this unshakable auora that is plauging me. No matter how hard I distract myself and push through there's this cloud that impares my ability to emotionally and physical function (feelings of detachment, separation, depression, and some suicidal thoughts). Words come slower, it's harder to focus, memory is very dull. I wasn't concered within the first few days, but it's been a few weeks now and I'm alarmed that it doesn't seem to be improving.
Do the side effects ever go away... How long does it take and what can catalyze the healing process? Is it possible to incur permanent damage from a low dosage, or does it take months to heal. Can anyone explain the biomechanics behind how gabapentin can affect patients weeks after usage.
Hopefully there is an answer and the possibility for recovery, but at the moment things are very frightening.
I have been using Gaberpentin for seven months as well. I have been increasing the dosage to manage nerce pain associated with a herniated disc. I am awaiting injections that, hopefully will calm the inflamation, reducing the nerve pain. I had back surgery, sucessfully, 13 years ago, but will try the injections as this MRI, shows minamal herniation. Adam, I truly hope that you find releif, or some other releif from medicine, or possibly surgery. Best wishes, Will
I wish you well in your further recovery. I still have not been brave enough to take the tablets, my lower back must agree as my pains have eased to a manageable state. I have having my back injected in a couple of weeks so hopefully that will help
Hi Adam
I have been taking gabapentin for over a year now and would say that, from your description of how you use this drug, you are not getting the right effects from it.
It has to be started on a low daily dose and gradually built up to a much higher one.It cannot be used occasionally as your brain won't know whats happening but, if you follow medical advice and progress to a high dosage (1800 mg or more) and take it constantly you may find relief - I wouldn't be without it now.
Gabapentin is not something you use occasionally for pain relief like paracetemol. It works by altering the brain chemistry in a way that is beneficial for the relief of neuropathic pain. Some of these brain chemicals, like seretonin, are also important for our sense of well being. These drugs should not usually be stopped suddenly, just like most anti-depressants should not be stopped suddenly even if you feel fine. Sudden cessation can result in a 'rebound' effect of symptoms - often making it even worse than before.
You state a pattern of "semi regular use" and also taking it as 'required'. I fear this pattern of use may have contributed to some of your issues. As some have stated, the drug is usually tapered up and down in dosage rather than stopping suddenly. The current symptoms you descibe ("feelings of detachment, separation, depression, and some suicidal thoughts"
sounds like textbook clinical depression.
Whether the gabapentin was responsible for onset of this depressive episode is partly irrelevant at this stage. What you really need to do is to see an appropriately experienced GP to discuss the depression symptoms ASAP and go from there. Don't be surprised if they suggest starting on anti-depressants; and if they do, please take seriously any warnings about not stopping abruptly!
Dude you have no idea how identical stories we share I mean down to the pelvic pain. It's been months since I've got off that Me's and it has screwed my life and my head up bad and it's just starting to get where I can go to work again not because of the pain but all the crap the Neurotin left me to sort out. Your the only person I know this is happening to. I wish I could sue that drug company . It's made my life complete hell and I just want to see some light at the end of this tunnel
I have been on Gabapentin for 10 years at varying doses due to nerve damage from a 3 level spinal fusion which went not as expected. I lost the ability to spell and am now having periods of short term forgetfulness. I am over 65 and could have aging memory issues. However how can the source be determined. I hope to see a neurologist in the next 2 weeks to discuss the matter. I now have a 10 level fusion which went very well and my discomfort is tolerable. Im down to 1200mgs per day down from 2100 mgs. Chronic pain also has its own effect on the brain. There are other medications to block nerve pain which I'm going to try. Go with your gut. I wish us well.
I have been on Gabapentin for over 10 years as well. I had an injury and then disc replacement surgery at two levels when I was 29 years old. Over the last 6 months I have noticed my memory has become increasingly worse and it is beginning to affect my ability to work. I've been forgetting words and phrases, details about my life and mid sentence have forgotten what I was saying. I had this side effect when I started talking Gabapentin 10 years ago but it went away after awhile. don't believe I am old enough to have aging memory issues and have to believe it's from the medication. I've asked my doctor to wean me off of the medication, I cannot funtion this way. Does anyone know why the medication would suddenly be affecting our memories after so long of being on it?
Wow, that IS interesting and yes I think you are a little young. All of the doctors say Gabapentin has a long history of no side effects but these memory issues seem a little suspicious. I hope to have more info after a neuro aptt. Some time ago I tried Lyrica but it wasn't strong enough to stop the pins and needles in my leg. I look forward to more people commenting.
I have also been on gabapentin for about 2 years at high dosage (3x300mg four times daily) and have had various problems, weight gain, very,very dry mouth and throat,plus the muddled feeling and forgetfullness.
A few weeks ago I decided to self-wean and started cutting out 1x300mg tablet each day for a week, then a second one till now I am down to only 3x300mg tabs daily. next week I want to cut down even further, so far I've had no bad side effects so I'm hoping it's a case of easy does the trick.
I'm intersted in knowing if you lost the ability to spell. I went from 2400 mgs per day over a period of months to now.. 1200mg/day. There has been no improvement if anything, I think thing are worse. I also started on an antidepresent several months ago and am wondering if this as made memory worse, So many thing to consider and being scared doesn't help. The best to you.
Hi,
I think things are improving for me but I am not taking antidepressants. I did take them some time ago and felt really 'out of things' so went off them again. Can you try cutting them down?
Let me know how you get on.
I Have been taking gabapentin now for 12 years and have significant memory impairment as well as trouble with phrases speaking reading and concentrating. Gabapentin truly makes it hard to put things together in a structured way. This I can attest to. I can not get off of it as I have tried in every time I have come to Great Depression and dark thoughts. I wish anybody that takes it the best of luck and wish them the best to find a alternative replacement.
Dear Adam and Travis et al. I am well familiar with the " dark cloud " hanging over sensation. The only antidepressant I have ever taken is Cymbalta. I had a "wow" experience after a couple of weeks of my start date. Its expensisve and has many conflicts with other drugs, so I eventually stopped. I am becoming more and more surprised at how many people responding to my initial question about "memory issues" with gabapentin have reported the same issues and now depression. Every Doc I have asked about the safety of long term usage have said how "very safe" it is even for long term usage. 2 and 2 arn't adding up here. I am in the USA and don't know much about UK's drug clearance protocols. My new neurologist told me there are indeed people who are senitive to GAB, even small doses. I am also weaing myself off Wellbutrin over the last 3 weeks now and am feeling a little better about memory. My doc has ordered a brain MRI and a sleep apnea study telling me how many patients she's discovered have sleep apnea disturbance... other cause of memory. I am very appreciative for everyone's feedback and hope we can all find our way. Signing off now til I have more info. 
I have been Using gab for 17 yrs. I am on 2400 mg a day. I find using Effexor instead of Cymbalta wirks well. Not as well as the Cymbalta For the fibromyalgia but it does work. I thought the trouble with words and memory were from my migraines and seizures. Now I am wondering. If it is from the gab. The doc told me when he put me on it that I would be on it for the rest of my life. Good luck Adam and everyone. The depression and dark thoughts yes they happen. Just look for the best in everything and there is always something to be glad about. Be glad your not having migraines everyday like me! 😃
I too have taken gabapentin and a ton of other meds for damage to my lumbar discs, etc. But re: Effexor, I quit taking it when I discovered that it was causing a lot of memory problems. It depletes the Co-Enzyme Q 10 in your brain, so you need to take it to help ease the damage that was done.
Good luck in your fight to stop the pain. I consider it to be a terminal illness -- a condition that will never get better. I've had the "Well, you don't LOOK disabled" BS from my ex and others who think you need to have external signs, like the Elephant Man or other gross physical and outward signs. Just hang in there. You have lots of people in the sm condition, and our thoughts snd prayers are with you.
Well, MINE, anyway!
Hi Adam 3355.
I have experienced similar yet many more symptoms and effects from taking Gabapentin. I found your post helpful to me. I thought I was the only one going through this. I have been on Gabapentin for aproximately 13 years now. I feel so horrible. I can't even explain what it does and has done to me. I feel it should possibly be looked into, and perhaps be considered on the list of medications that cause Medically Induced Lupus. I have developed many autoimmune dosorders since taking Gabapentin, one including the antibody tests of Lupus. I am down to 300 mg. of Gabapentin a day and want to get off of it entirely. I want to make people aware of this. it is so hard on the body, mind emotions. I understand exactly what you are going through and am very sorry that you have to go through this. Also, I am sorry that I am going through this, and also and many others. I have to do more research into this and also another medication also. It is time that I start taking control of my health along side of medical professionals. Thank you. KarKar
Hi Adam 3355.
I have experienced similar yet many more symptoms and effects from taking Gabapentin. I found your post helpful to me. I thought I was the only one going through this. I have been on Gabapentin for aproximately 13 years now. I feel so horrible. I can't even explain what it does and has done to me. I feel it should possibly be looked into, and perhaps be considered on the list of medications that cause Medically Induced Lupus. I have developed many autoimmune dosorders since taking Gabapentin, one including the antibody tests of Lupus. I am down to 300 mg. of Gabapentin a day and want to get off of it entirely. I want to make people aware of this. it is so hard on the body, mind emotions. I understand exactly what you are going through and am very sorry that you have to go through this. Also, I am sorry that I am going through this, and also and many others. I have to do more research into this and also another medication also. It is time that I start taking control of my health along side of medical professionals. Thank you. KarKar
Hi Adam 3355.
I have experienced similar yet many more symptoms and effects from taking Gabapentin. I found your post helpful to me. I thought I was the only one going through this. I have been on Gabapentin for aproximately 13 years now. I feel so horrible. I can't even explain what it does and has done to me. I feel it should possibly be looked into, and perhaps be considered on the list of medications that cause Medically Induced Lupus. I have developed many autoimmune dosorders since taking Gabapentin, one including the antibody tests of Lupus. I am down to 300 mg. of Gabapentin a day and want to get off of it entirely. I want to make people aware of this. it is so hard on the body, mind emotions. I understand exactly what you are going through and am very sorry that you have to go through this. Also, I am sorry that I am going through this, and also and many others. I have to do more research into this and also another medication also. It is time that I start taking control of my health along side of medical professionals. Thank you. KarKar
Hi, I took Gabapentin at a dose of 1800mg for a few years as prescribed by the Pain Clinic where I live, then I was swapped over to pregabalin 100mg twice a day. as I was omplaining about problems with my short term memory, words and names, almost like the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease if you watch the film Still Alice ( or book by Lisa Genova - very good ). Anyhow, I still find it hard to concentrate on one thing and stay focused, My memory is getting worse, I have a 2i BSc in Pharmacology so I wasn't daft, but this medicine has left me feeling quite depressed. When I first told the drs about this I was dismissed. I am seeing the Pain Clinic drs and my GP soon - I am SLOWLY decreasing the dose or Lyrica ( pregabalin ) - yes it was like a migic bullet in the early days once I was over the initial side effects, nausea, loss of appetite, feeling flu like. I keep getting hot flushes but at 41 am unsure if it's the menopause or probably more likely, the side effect of stopping this medication. I would never have taken it if I had known about this side effect at the start. I have problems remembering what I am talking about, I forget peoples names, I cannot find the word I need to finish my sentence - I feel foolish !! I was a bright educated woman, who just happened to get peripheral nerve pain from 3 bulging discs and more lower back problems that I still suffer from. I think I had started to tolerate the pregabalin, as it was not very effective anymore and I still suffer horrenhous nerve pain in my hips and legs and buttocks. Bewrae of this medication, it is not the easiest think to stop once you are on it....wish me luck...! I just want to know if the effects on my memory and cognitive function are temporary or permanent ????