Anyone else on gabapentin?

[msBrightside]

I had been taking one at night which had gave me the odd good day. I'm gradually introducing 3 a day but I've took my first extra one this morning and I feel like a zombie really spaced out with such a bad headache do I just need to persevere with it? Much love shaunna x

[nicegal]

Yes, funny you should mention Gabapentin. I am going to ask my GP tomorrow if I can reduce my dose. I have dry eye syndrome and ever since going on Gabapentin my eyes have been incredibly sore and I read one of the side effects can be sore eyes.

It depends why you are on them and what yout dose is. I take 300 in the morning and 400 at night, for the postherpetic neuralgia following shingles and my doc says this is not a high dose at all.

I don't feel spaced out on them, and I still have restless legs at night which Gabapentin is supposed to stop. So sorry I can't be of more help - I think every person will react to them differently and you just have to work out with your doctor if they are the right drug for you.

[msBrightside]

I'm on it for muscle pain as well as naproxen. It was working with one but I feel more ill with that extra dose. It's interesting you say about it affecting your eyes. One of my eyes keeps closing over. With pain behind it and in my head. Severe dizziness too but that's just after the first dose might get better with time I hope.

[Julie63]

I was on Gabapentin and had really Bad side effects. And I Mean Bad - I had really dark thoughts and was in a bad way. I stopped taking them and my mind and mood cleared. I'm now on Pregabalin and feel great - but I know there are people on here who feel great on gabapentin and who can't tolerate pregabalin - what works for one doesn't for another. Good luck, Julie xx

[msBrightside]

Thanks for your comments now you mention it I did have they kind of dark thoughts one night. I couldn't sleep for my mind racing. I hadn't put the two together until now! I'd taken gabapentin just before I went to bed. I might ask my doctor about changing my meds. IIf I feel the side effects get worse. Much love Shaunna x

[TheAuthor]

Hi msBrightside

I am so sorry to read that you are experiencing issues with your Gabapentin. I do not take this medication, but I have pasted you the NHS Choices link to Gabapentin side effects below:

nhs.uk/medicine-guides/page...

I want to wish you all the best of luck with finding a solution to your problem.

Ken x

[msBrightside in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken That was helpful does seem to have a variety of nasty side effects. Hard to weigh up if it's worth it for they few good days x

[Shazzzy]

Hi msbrightside, i had the zombie like feeling from gabapentin and felt very low in mood, i did tske it for a couple of months to see if it would settle, but no change. I now taking amitriptyline instead but to soon to say how this will go. I hope things improve for you gabspentin does work for a lot of people

[msBrightside]

Hi shazzy did you find it eased other symptoms? I'm trying to think if it's worthwhile trying it cause It does help me do more. But maybe shouldn't risk the side effects getting worse what do you think. Thanks have had the odd good day or better day so can't complain. Think I keep expecting miracles too much lol x

[Uninitiated]

Wow, I feel overmedicated. I started on Gabapentin, then amiltryptiline was added, and weaned off vicodin. None of these alleviated the overall body pain I experienced for over a year. Then the Pregabalin was added to the first two and wah-lah! Pain gone. Tradeoff was spacey or dizzy spells but hey ---no pain.

I wanted to try Pregabalin by itself but doc said no.

[msBrightside in reply to Uninitiated]

Pregabalin does seem to work for alot of people might be worth a try if I can't get anywhere with this. I might not feel so bad after today's dose I hope. The night one was fine again.

[chris56]

perservere , it works for me . yes my body had to get used to being on 9 a day . but if i miss a dose ,i am wracked with pains.

[Hidden]

I only take it if i know i am going to do something that will cause problems for the reasons mentioned above

Preferrred it to pregabilin

[msBrightside]

Yeah I think it's worthwhile persevering. How do u take it in the morning? would taking it with food make a difference. It has no instructions on it and my doctor never told me. With feeling spaced out I'm thinking taking it before I eat might help instead of after. Does help the pains hoping the extra dose will relieve the muscle pains all together.

[fibro10]

Hi I have just been given Gabapentin by pain management but have not tried it yet as I have had a lot of bad reaction to a lot off the medication I have been given in with one med ended up in hospital with suspected stroke as lost all felling down right side of body for a few days it was very scary xx

[msBrightside in reply to fibro10]

Hi, sorry that happened to you must have been frightening. Having a better slightly pain free day today which would make yesterday's exhaustion worth it. I'm hoping like with most medications the side effects are just temporary. It can be taken with or without food but I'd take it with because the side effects were only bad when I took it a few hours after food and gulp loads of water because it can dehydrate you. Hope you are okay now and it works for you x

[Hidden]

Hi msBrightside

I've just read your post and replies.

Just my opinion for what it's worth. I'm on the maximum dose of Gabapentin. I take four 300 mg per day.

Unfortunately my pain is so severe I'm on 5 other pain meds too.

I would definitely persevere. My GP told me I would feel spaced out but I didn't feel spaced out at all. My GP said he doesn't know how I'm still standing!

The only side effect I've noticed is the weight gain. I have slightly sore eyes, but you can buy drops for dry eyes in Boots if yours is that bad.

I'm not sure if that's of any help? Please do ask away if there's anything else you'd like to know.

I'm pretty sure I have a leaflet with mine. If you'd like I will take a look for you tomorrow?

Let me know.

All the best x

[msBrightside in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for your help. Yeah I'm hoping I don't gain too much weight lol. The side effects did get worse as the day progressed. Felt spaced out, with a headache and completely exhausted worse than normal. Yeah that would be great if you could have a look don't know why I didn't get one with it.

All the best to you too x

[Hidden in reply to msBrightside]

Hi again msBrightside

I found my leaflet that came with the Gabapentin.

It is a very long leaflet (about 6 pages) so I'm wondering whether it might be more beneficial for you to ask your local pharmacist for a leaflet you can read yourself?

Gabapentin is used for epilepsy as well as long lasting pain caused by damage to the nerves.

The list of side effects is admittedly very long. However, I worked for a large pharmaceutical company in the 90's and every single side effect that was reported had to, by law I believe, be added to the list of side effects of whatever that particular drug was.

So for instance if one single person reported getting headaches for example, then that side effect had to be added to the list.

It would seem that the main thing to look out for is a rash and swelling of the lips.

Also persistent stomach pain should also be reported to your GP immediately.

It would take a whole page for me to list absolutely everything as the side effects are broken down into Urgent side effects, Very common side effects, Side effects which affect more than 1 person in 10, etc.

I'd hate to miss out something that might be important for you, so I definitely think asking your pharmacist for a copy of the leaflet would be in your best interests, but if there is anything particular you'd like me to check for, I'm more than happy to.

Hope all that helps. Many apologies for such a long post!

BM x

[msBrightside in reply to Hidden]

Hi I don't mind the long comment I appreciate you going to such trouble I have had stomach pain and severe headaches so might be worthwhile asking the doctor or pharmacist.

Also just realised I have been taking double the dose as the doctor assumed I had the 100mg tablets so I've jumped to 600mg when I should only be taking 300mg a day if you understand what I mean. I know it might be hard to follow. I know you can get 600mg capsules so maybe it isn't that bad? x

[Hidden in reply to msBrightside]

The problem is we all react totally different to every drug and a lot depends on what other meds you're also on.

I did follow exactly what you meant and in my opinion I think that's where the problem lies.

Gabapentin is a very strong drug and that's why it's increased slowly. If you've accidentally been taking double I would imagine that's why your symptoms have been so bad.

Maybe you could try at the correct dose and also get a copy of the leaflet you should have had and go from there.

Whilst asking your pharmacist for the leaflet you could have a word and see what they say.

Maybe give it a week and if you're still dizzy etc I'd go back to your GP and see what he/she says.

Keeping a diary is always a good idea. I'd recommend taking them with/after food.

Feel free to PM me if you want to. I'm not sure if I'm helping as everyone will react differently and have a different experience x

[msBrightside in reply to Hidden]

Yeah hopefully it's just the double dose that caused it because I was fine on 300mg a day before. Will just take the 300mg tonight and see how it goes. Felt the same side effects this morning but by late afternoon I felt great so I'd say the drug is definitely working So hopefully it should be fine when I go back to the 300mg a day.

I'd say you've been very helpful thanks I'll pm you and let you know how I get on x

[Hidden in reply to msBrightside]

Thank you. That's kind of you Personally I would say it is worth persevering.

Please do let me know how you get on.

Just keep an eye on your weight (if that's something that bothers you). I've had to cut right down on my chocolate intake !!

xx

[msBrightside in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome, I'll definitely persevere. Oh yeah I've already been keeping track of snacking haven't weighed myself because I can get obsessive over it. I'm just worried since I'd already put on weight each time I was weighed at the hospital. But hey foods too good . Well done for cutting down on chocolate that is something i wouldn't be able to do! Ga

I'll definitely let know how I get on all the best xx

[Hidden]

Ok. Will have a look for you in the morning.

When I increased my dose I felt the extra weight. Then I decreased the dose for a while to see if I could manage without it, but I couldn't. However, the weight I'd put on just dropped off without me having to diet or cut down on chocolate (my favourite thing!) which is good to know.

Anyway, that's just me. It's quite amazing how different we all are and different things affect us.

Will get back to you tomorrow x

[ChrissyP1307]

I'm on 600mg of gabapentin a day, and can increase after my hospital visit mid July, keep going with it, I started with taking it in the evening first then increasing through the day backwards which my doctor suggested. Keep going, you may get switched to the 300mg tablets instead of the 100mgs later down the line

Xx

[msBrightside in reply to ChrissyP1307]

I do see a big difference with taking it. Hopefully is just the adjustment period with it and will get better. I did take an extra dose for a few days which probably made the side effects so severe.Think the doctor just wanted to try the same dose spaced out through the day. The side effects have been better with a lesser dose will need to get eye drops for these stingy eyes though. I've felt wheezy today too but I'm just going to persevere. Worth feeling a bit better Xx