Dizzy feeling and being unsteady

[Sunri]

Hi, can anyone advise please. I am not sure if my dizzyness and being unsteady is from gabapentin medication I am taking for rls or not. I take 400mg of gabapentin around 6.30 in the evening I go to my bed around 8pm.

I have been on this dose for at least 4 months. Occasionally I have some days where I feel foggy headed, most days alright. Over the Last month or so early in the evening around 5.30pm I've experienced this foggy dizzy head and being a bit off balance.

I know the side effects of gabapentin can be dizzyness and being unsteady , is this at any time of day and random days like I'm experiencing. I just thought a side effect would be all the time. Initially I was very sleepy after taking it that has now worn off.

Any advice or insight appreciated.

[Joolsg]

Are you completely off Ropinirole?400mg gabapentin is a starter dose& doesn't normally cover RLS.

Dizziness is a very common symptom of gabapentin BUT it usually happens in the first few months and eases off.

Have you had a virus? Added any other new meds?

If it continues, you may want to switch to pregabalin. Often the side effects are different.

[Sunri in reply to Joolsg]

I'm not on ropinirole at all. The 400mg is not giving total relief to be honest, however im trying to go slowly as I'm 71 and understood that a slower increase would be better. From what I read about gabapentin usual starter dose would be 100mg at my age because of the risk of falls.

Although not total relief currently, the difference from before is certainly noticeable and very welcome.

I've not had a virus that I'm aware of any or new meds.

Thanks for the advice re pregabalin.

[Joolsg in reply to Sunri]

It's sensible to start low & increase slowly.But I am at a loss as to why the dizziness is only happening now.

[Sunri in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Joolsg, me too. Maybe something else is wrong with me, maybe old age 🙄 trouble is these symptoms can be many things. I want to get total relief from rls but can't consider an increase in gabapentin till iget this sorted. I need to speak with GP probably but unfortunately I don't have a lt of faith in them currently.

[SueJohnson]

I agree with Joolsg. Dizziness and feeling unsteady would be in the morning when you wake up, not in the evening.

[Sunri in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, this must be something else then! I appreciate so much having this forum to ask for advise and knowledge from others.

[amrob123]

I saw a general physician some years ago. He specialised in difficult to diagnose conditions/symptoms and one of the most knowledgeable doctors i have ever seen. He said that it is possible to develop side effects from medication after having been on it a while. While the timing of your dizziness might suggest otherwise, I wouldn't completely rule out gabapentin. I experience off-balance symptoms from. pregabalin several hours after taking it and I have been on it ten or so years. Might be an idea to get it checked out if it persists.