Hi have just been prescribed Gabapentine. The Pharmacist has told me it will make me drowsy. Has anyone got any further info ...

[flossy1]

're side effects. or how effective they are.

[Jo883]

Hiya flossy1

Yes I'm on Gabapentin, I started on 100mg once a day for three weeks, then went up to 300mg and now take 600mg 2x tab 3 times a day. I have to say initially I almost gave up with it as it did make me drowsy and I felt quite low and had no motivation to do anything - but after 3/4 weeks I started to feel better

and it has really helped with a lot of neuro symptoms. I think if you can see it out you will see some improvement. I also posted on here to ask when I first started taking it and a few other people felt the same as me from what I can remember. Your body does take a little while to become accustomed to it. Let us know how you get on. Best wishes

[flossy1]

Thank you jo883. My doc has started me on 300mg x 1 the first day by 2 the second and 3 the third. I think the 100mg would have been better and if I can't cope with 300mg I will ask my doc for a lower dose. At least, I now know what to expect. Best wishes flossy

[Jo883 in reply to flossy1]

Your welcome - mine was prescribed by a neurologist - he did say the initial 3 weeks at 100mg a day would help me get used to it before the dose was upped. Every time my dose was upped I suffered the same symptom for roughly same amount of time so I know it was the meds. It does help me to have a better night sleep - which is a blessing also - any questions you can message me. My best advice is to see it through if you can - if it's too much for you at dose prescribed, it's a good idea to speak to your dr and go with a lower dose rather then give up - any probs feel free to ask x

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

If you'd like more information about Gabapentin, I can recommend you take a look at patient.co.uk - Here's a link to the relevant page - patient.co.uk/medicine/gaba...

[Melinda]

I have been prescribed this for sciatica very recently. It does make me drowsy, insofar as I keep nodding off when I'm watching TV. Other than that, I have had no other side effects. It's supposed to take a couple of weeks to kick in, so I'll wait and see if it makes a difference. I'm starting to think my sciatica is Lupus related and is in fact peripheral neuropathy. I have had other symptoms.

[onamission]

I was given nortriptline at the pain clinic at my last visit they said I should try gabapentin I did for a few weeks and I just felt as if my head was full of cotton wool and ever so sick so they put me back on nortriptline.

[flossy1]

Thank you all for kind advice. I feel silly making a thing of taking new meds but everything I take tends to make me very dizzy and sick so could be in for a rocky weekend. Love to you all flossyx

[misty14]

Hi Flossy

I take Gabapentin and it's been very effective for the nerve pain I have. It does make me drowsy and confused so juggling the dose is a good idea for you.I take 300mg 3xaday. Good luck with it.X

[Queenie70]

Hi there, I dropped my mid day dose because I was worried it might be contributing to my fatigue. I honestly dont know if it has helped! I do know that taking gabapentin has helped massively with neuopathy symptoms so don't be afraid to give it a try. Its all trial and error at the end of the day. Good luck. X

[flossy1]

Thanks again. I took the first 300mg this morning and I've had no side effects as yet, which is unusual for me. So I will carry on and build the dose slowly. X