Gabapentin

[Mandypandy1969]

Does anyone find that gabapentin makes them feel drunk, more tired and brain fog worse?

[Horsesgalore]

I stopped taking gabapentin as it made me feel bad, really spaced out & fatigued.

[Patches12]

I take them have had them for yrs dont know why they dont affect me .once tried to come off them had withdrawels so if you can dont take them x

[milo4]

Hi

I was swapped from gabapentin for that very reason, people actually thought I was drunk not a good look when out with the grandchildren. Have you been on them long? Sometimes takes a while for our bodies to adjust. Hope you get it sorted soon.

Trace xxx

[Mandypandy1969 in reply to milo4]

about 2 months. x

[JDnCoke]

This is common when starting to take gabapentin but these effects can also be a longer term effect with this medication unfortunately

[Treewade]

Yes I was almost zombi like on gabapentine and gained loads of weight after spending months sat doing nowt in front of tv so GP took me off them xxxx

[JDnCoke in reply to Treewade]

Weight gain is primary side effect of gabapentin some say that’s the case with gabapentins sister pregabalin

[sweetpea21 in reply to JDnCoke]

Also pregabalin has a lot of side effects, my neurologist discontinued them for that reason, they have to be tapered very slowly . Take care.

[Mandypandy1969 in reply to sweetpea21]

my doc suggested I went up to 500 3 times a day slowly 1 x 500 1st day, 2 x 500 2nd day and up to 3 x 500 3 and 4th day and then carry the 500 3 x a day for up to the week then go back down to 400 again. this is because I play short mat bowls occasionally and really suffer afterwards. I did this. the first day, I felt drunk. after the first day my mood went up and felt good in myself until it got to Friday. had a bad day bowling and I got really down. today I had another bowls day and not had a good day again. played awful the last couple of days. I wondered if the gabapentin could be doing something with my moods or is it just me getting low because I am not playing well at the moment. I am very self critical and always have put myself down. I have a double hit having cyclothimia/bipolar and now fibromialgia. I am so sore all over my body. sorry for long rant but bowls is all I have, I can't work and now I am scared I will have to give up my bowls. I don't play much but unfortunately had a whole weekend this weekend. I am feeling really low about everything and upping gabapentin was a bit scary so I have dropped one of the 500 today. no idea if I am doing the right thing as tapering 5 days early. x

[sweetpea21 in reply to Mandypandy1969]

Very slowly!! That is not very slowly, have u read the side effects of gabapentin? There are forums discussing this drug. It causes depression amongst a lot of other things . I was taken off it as it made my epilepsy worse! It is notorious for causing deep depression.

[Mandypandy1969 in reply to sweetpea21]

yeah I know. it was weird though after the first day with only taking 1 500 and the other 2 doses at 400 made me feel drunk. the second day when I had 2 doses of 500, i felt really high in mood and my sense of humour was great. this was how it was until the bad bowls days yesterday and today. I have suffered depression all my life. maybe I should take 2 x 500 again tomorrow and lower 2 1 x 500 for following 2 days until back to 400 3 x a day. I am scared in how this suggestion from my doc has affected me and my mood swings.i haven' been on 400 3 x a day for long so maybe her suggestion was a bit quick. who knows? as you have probably guessed, I am a worried and over think constantly. I am my own worst enemy. x

[Treewade]

Not good when you already have weight problem and joint problems lol glad my doc took me off it I'm bk on paracetamol and aqua therapy

[Mandypandy1969]

what's aqua therapy?

[LadyJoro]

Gabapentin made me a drunk zombie

Pregablin made me vomit

[Mandypandy1969]

I feel drunk and like a zombie too. Brain fog worse than ever.

[Hidden]

Yes, but only for about an hour, one hour after taking it. Sometimes there is a short spell of mild euphoria, (very nice), and sometimes in the late evening the drowsiness helps me to get to sleep and stay asleep. But the side effects you are suffering are a drawback. I believe there are alternatives, but since they are more expensive I am reluctant to suggest the to the GP. For me the pros outweigh the cons, but I had to have them reduced to the lowest doseage due to suspected biliary tree problems.

[KnackeredKaty]

I am on day 3 of starting Gabapentin, so far no side effects. 🤞 The side effects you mention are common with Gabapentin. My consultant warned me that side effects are common but do subside for most people. If you feel worse than before you started taking it, maybe you need to consider if you would be worse not taking it or is it worth the hassle of feeling terrible if it deals with your pain. I think every decision we make regarding fibro always has consequences. It feels like a curse sometimes.

[tinyblonde]

I had that the first few times I took gabapentin, I get a bit of extra wooziness if I'm taking opioids at the same time but generally its fine for me; had the same thing recently as they increased my dose but settled back into normality again. Worth considering other treatments if a side effect is making a huge appearance, sadly the pentins are a bit evil. If you're taking ami/nortriptyline the two interact quite a lot, so check if it interacts with anything else you take. Best of luck x