Gabapentin a nightmare drug!

[OVERPAR]

I am a renal patient with only 8% kidney function who went onto PD Dialysis in April 2020 but it was a disaster!. Apart from peritonitis I also developed nephropathy in my feet for which I was prescribed the drug gabapentin (only 100 mg per day) for the pain. This immediately made me feel dizzy. I was taken off PD Dialysis and the nephropathy pain went so after 2 weeks I was taken off gabapentin. Unfortunately some 7 weeks later I still have the dizziness/vertigo and it does not seem to be getting any better. Anyone had a similar experience or know how to get rid of dizziness?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I am at level 3b CKD and have neuropathy. I take now 300- to 500 mg of Gabapentin for 3 years and have had no side effects you describe. I started out with 100 mg. I take it with food and make sure without any other medicine.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Overpar,

I would look to see if there maybe another cause for the dizziness. Vertigo can come on suddenly. I would speak to your doctor and see if there is another cause. There is treatment that can be done for vertigo. I would also look to see when this comes on. Is it constant or upon standing, which might indicate blood pressure issues. I get dizzy when I have fluid in my sinuses. So check with the doctor to see what is going on.

[OVERPAR in reply to Bassetmommer]

Many thanks Bassetmommer for your advice. I went to see a consultant yesterday

[LittleDutch]

I was prescribed gabapentin for arm pain and it worked with no problem for almost a year. Suddenly I would wake up during the night being dizzy. I stopped taking it for several months and dizziness went away. I tried it again due to the arm pain with nothing else easing it, but dizziness returned. I no longer take it at all. Fortunately, my dizziness went away. I hope that you are not experiencing something unrelated. Good luck!

[OVERPAR in reply to LittleDutch]

Many thanks Little Dutch for your reply. I went to see a consultant yesterday who is doing further tests to see how my dizziness/vertigo can be treated.

[LittleDutch]

Good luck!