I suffered what I can only describe as a nightmare last night which I think may be attributed to Gabapentin I have just stopped pramipexole and gone on to gabapentin the nightmare if that was what it was was dreadful I tried to get out of bed but my arms felt paralysed I shouted out for my partner and she thought I was having a stroke I was laid across the bed and couldn’t move then suddenly I was back in the real world it’s the most frightening experience I’ve ever had could it be the gabapentin????
Later in the night I had another similar episode but not as bad I’m frightened to go back to sleep it’s that bad!!!
I need to see a doctor but it’s new year
I don’t know wether to stop the gabapentin or continue??
Any advice??
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Hoochybaby
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Dear Hoochbaby, Gabapentin can interfere with serotonin levels. What you describe is almost like a seizure. I was once put on gabapentin and never again as it triggered frequent migraines with aura. I had never had a migraine before in my life until that occurred in my sixties. I am no expert and cannot really advise other than to say that stopping pramipexole and taking gabapentin must put a significant strain on your body. Do some research into serotonin syndrome and the effects of these drugs. Gabapentin might not be for you as it can cause lots of severe side effects although many people seem able for it. Good luck in your research and I hope you settle soon.
Sounds like a classic case of sleep paralysis. Quite a frightening experience! Your brain wakes up, sort of, but your body doesn't. I used to get it quite a lot when I was in my twenties, especially when I drank a lot and smoked.
Sometimes it was accompanied by dreams where steel rods were being pushed up my spine and I'd imagine there were people in the room. This phenomenon is one of the explanations for why some people claim they've been abducted by aliens.
The worse one I had was where two people were bending over me saying I was dead. I tried to tell them I wasn't, but i couldn't move. I was scared they'd bury me alive. Often though it was scary because I was awake but couldn't see, hear or move and I thought it wouldn't end.
It always did though.
It's impossible to say if it's due to reducing pramipexole or starting gabapentin, I suspect the former. In which case it may disappear in time.
I don't think it's a reason for stopping gabapentin. If you stop both prami and gaba you'll be up RLS creek without a paddle.
Sleep paralysis is scary, but it won't do any harm.
Gabapentin does increase serotonin levels, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Raised serotonin is associated with lifted mood and better sleep.
I had the same problem with gabapentin. I had horrendous hallucinations, I was in my mid sixties and have never experienced anything like it before or since. Is there a health help line you can call?
Yea I'd go with sleep paralysis. I used to get it very often and it nearly always was frightening, especially when you didn't realise you had fallen asleep in the first place.
There are reports of sleep paralysis on Gabapentin as mentioned in the FDA reports above.
However, as Manerva advises, you will need something for your RLS after withdrawal from Pramipexole.
I had pretty severe side effects from Gabapentin and switched to pregabalin - another alpha2delta ligand. Pregabalin is better absorbed by the body and it suited me better. Perhaps you may find it better for you too. What dose of Gabapentin are you taking?
If the side effects outweigh the benefits you may need to consider asking your doctor to prescribe another class of drugs, like a benzodiazepine or an opioid.
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