Dizziness

[Bloop45]

Evening everyone! So I’m still new to fibro, diagnosed just before Christmas and waiting to see the fibro nurses. I was started on gabapentin a few years ago for my back and had no problems. Was taken off it in hospital (very long story involving a rare drug reaction and 3 of my organs failing!) and it was forgotten about. I hurt my back again last Christmas and it’s just not been right since, so about 6 months ago maybe? My GP agreed I could go back on gabapentin and to my delight, it also really helped my fibro pains, so I’m on a steady low dose daily. The first month I had awful dizziness and found out it’s quite a common side effect. It soon wore off once I was used to my dose (1200mg). The last week it’s back with a vengeance!

I can just be sitting at my desk and the room stars spinning, I look drunk sometimes when I’m walking and I lose balance. It doesn’t seem to be triggered by positional changes, and it’s totally different to when I had labrynthitis, it doesn’t feel like it’s my ears. I’m seeing my GP next week as my migraines have been a bit weirder than usual so I will mention it. Is this just part of the fibro? Or can side effects of the meds just come back randomly? I feel like I’m understanding my fibro a bit more everyday, I flared up all over Christmas and joined so many dots (felt quite proud I was able to recognise a flare!). Sorry for the essay everyone! And a belated happy new year to you all!!

[Arms_legs]

Hi I get that sometimes. Usually when I've misjudged doses and been slow with one. I usually wait a bit and it dies down. I aim for 3-4 hrs between doses to prevent dizziness or weird hyper emotional fidgeting.

[Bloop45 in reply to Arms_legs]

I’m rubbish at timing my gabapentin doses, think I need to be a bit stricter!

[Arms_legs in reply to Bloop45]

Honestly I have 3 alarms on my phone and I'm still waiting until my arm hurts before I remember to take it!

[Lillylilac]

Hi, I've had FM for a year now and I get dizzy spells often. I can walk into a wall, door because of this. I always put it down to Fibro as I wasn't like this before.

Hope a is ok with you when you see the GP.

Love and comfy hugs. Xx

[Bloop45 in reply to Lillylilac]

Thank you, right back at you 🤗 x

[Hidden in reply to Lillylilac]

Yep me too. X

[Howe2]

I also get very dizzy spells walking into a wall or door is a daily thing for me now. If I'm out and a lose my balance which is probably everytime I go out which is not very often, I can see people looking at me as tho I'm drunk which is not very nice. Hope all goes well x

[Hidden in reply to Howe2]

Me too. Feel like a right banana 🍌 especially when I walk into people. Do you use a stick ? I find I get more understanding from people and it really helps to balance me. Although I have been known to maypole dance 💃 around my stick I consider it my best friend.

Steadier old crone .

[Howe2 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I use a crutch which does help. I'm ment to use both crutches but my left arm won't let me it's very weak 😢

[Bloop45 in reply to Howe2]

That’s what I’m worried about, I don’t think my back will agree with it. I have dodgy shoulders too, I’ll give it a go though

[Howe2 in reply to Bloop45]

Be careful x

[roses123]

Hi it could be the meds as iv had that too best get doc too check you out x

[Bloop45]

I’ve just seen my GP, he’s quite confident it’s a nerve issue, he thinks it might be down to my fibro or my back (seeing a back specialist in a months time anyway) he’s not worried at all so that’s a relief!

[Hidden]

Hi

I also experience the same drunken effects from Gabapentine. Daily falling due to dizziness and lack of coordination. Good luck 😉 and Happy New Year 🥳 to you also. Lynn

[Bloop45 in reply to Hidden]

I might start using a stick, problem is I walk really fast and it just annoyed me last time I tried 😂 maybe I’ll keep a fold up one in my bag just in case!