Side effects from Gabapentin

[jjsmum]

Hello again,

I am taking 600mg GABA 3X day for nerve pain. It settles the pain but makes me feel very dizzy and kind of drunk should I say. Is this normal? I have been taking it for a while now and side effects still not worn off.

Any advice?

Thanks

Georgie 💖

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

How long is a while?

[jjsmum in reply to desquinn]

Since May - Thats a while to me! X

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to jjsmum]

the reason I asked was that 30 days is when a lot of the worst side effects tend to present as the body takes time to adjust to it. However, taking a smaller dose and talking to your GP about it is definitely worthwhile.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Unfortunately it is one of the more common side effects. If it has not settled, it may be worth speaking to your gp about changing to pregabalin. This is a similar drug, but some people find they do better and you might not have same side effects x

[jjsmum in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thanks, I’ll have a word xx

[Blossom23 in reply to jjsmum]

Hello

I have been on it for a couple of years . I did change to pregabalin but felt worse also they can make you gain weight. It’s a nightmare the side effects from medication. I fall a lot it started when I went on to pregabalin . I have to be so careful . I’m back on a low dose of gabapentine but still have my dizzy spells but not as bad. Different medication suit us all differently. My partner has four amatriptaline every night but one drives me crazy itching and I get hives. The only answer is trial and error . You don’t know until you try. You need to have a good talk to your GP . Best of luck 😊

[releasethemagic]

You are on quite a high dose. 2,700mg a day is the maximum and 900mg a day is used for Fibromyalgia typically. Could you manage taking less of it in the morning perhaps but maintaining the night- time dose? Best to talk it through with your GP.

[jjsmum in reply to releasethemagic]

Yes I’ll have a word. I felt like I was in a different universe yesterday. I can only imagine it being what ‘high’ feels like.

[Painny]

My brain is constantly in a state of drunkenness and dizziness without taking any medication. I see it as part of fibro. It may be that this medication does not suit your brain. I would recommend speaking with your doctor.

Like you my nerve pain was horrific but with change in diet I managed to minimise it by avoiding meat and gluten. I still have pain but with a bite of meat life becomes a hell inside my brain and it’s connection with the rest of the body

Also hot yoga is good. All the best

[jjsmum in reply to Painny]

Is there certain points where your pain seems to be worse? My shoulders are extremely sore and my whole back from top to bottom especially each side of the spine are very sore and feel tingly most of the time. I have to avoid gluten anyway due to coeliac xx

[Painny in reply to jjsmum]

The pain increases if I do physical and mental activity in particular the latter. My brain loves doing nothing, if I do too much my brain becomes defensive by giving me the hint to stop it, the general pain never goes away or the fatigue, I feel as though I have been crushed into pieces

Good you avoid gluten 🤞😍

[alison84230]

I didn't get on with it so I switched to pregablin.

[jjsmum in reply to alison84230]

I have heard a few people say this, thanks. I shall speak with my Dr x

[Maud-ie]

I did too. I took the same dosage as you for over a year but hated the 'drunk and dizzies' so I halved the dose. I have pain but not as much as without Gabapentin. On really bad days if I can be 'out of the picture' I add an extra 300 mg once or twice a day.

[jjsmum in reply to Maud-ie]

Yesterday was the worst. I felt terrible with it! I will see what my GP says xx

[Maud-ie]

Ps The GP no help at all so decided this by myself!

[Sketch2019]

I have put on a lot of weight I think due to this makes me feel spaced out too I decided to cut mine to one a day when I supposed to be on 3x2 a day. My back started to hurt sciatica was diagnosed and when I told doctor about cutting it back he said to carry on , fed up with this pain verses weight ??

[Julesubu]

As this is the max dose maybe too much, side effects usually wear off after couple of weeks so maybe reduce day dosages and keep high night dose. Def do not drive if feeling like this. Xx

[CM1EDSUK]

Whilst your prescribing Dr is in the best position to advise, mentioning Pregabalin, as others have said, is wise. Pregabalin is in the same 'family' of meds, but, as you need take it in a much lower dosage than Gabapentin to get a similar effect, then any side-effects may also be lower.

My GP also switched my use of Pregabalin 3x a day to twice a day, which he felt was more effective.