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Gabapentin treatment and side effects (help please)

Posted , 11 users are following.

geoff2528
geoff2528

Hello everyone, I have once again been prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain (neuroapthy in hands and feet) .. I have tried it in the past once and could not get used the side effects for the first few days so just stopped it. My doctor wants me to begin with 300 mg daily and build it up over 3 days to 300 mg x 3 daily.  I worry the last time i was on it i could not sleep and felt very moody at times.  Can anyone advise me on this? Has anoyone experienced this and does this pass and after how long please.  It has helped with pain on the few days I was on it in the past and just need to know how long i should give it for it and me to settle with it. Thanks

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • iris46
    iris46 geoff2528

    Posted

    Hi Geoff.....I was prescribed the same doses as you only 2 weeks ago....the first night of 900mg for the day I slept 13 hours and the next night 11.5 hours. I felt like a zombie and would not drive. On the 5th day I started crying, feeling so miserable. Two other ladies I know have had the same experience of crying with it. I took my last dose of it last Friday and cried all day Saturday and Sunday. I hate meds that have control over me. Good luck with it
    • geoff2528
      geoff2528 iris46

      Posted

      Hello Iris thanks for your reply .... i have started my gabapentin yesterday and will be increasing it today a little more .. but as happened in the past I do have a lot of difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep when on this medication... most people seem to over sleep with it!!  Hope you are ok with yourself? Geoff
  • BS8
    BS8 geoff2528

    Posted

    Hi I have neuropathy too but take Pregabalin 600 mg it's similar to Gabapentin I just wondered if you knew about it?
    • geoff2528
      geoff2528 BS8

      Posted

      Yes i have tried pregabalin in the past and at first it was great .. fantastic ... but then the pure enduring insomnia kicked in after about 2 - 3 weeks and i just couldn't sleep at all!
  • marshall71
    marshall71 geoff2528

    Posted

    Over 7 months here 300x9 nerve pain feet toes also on slow release tramadol side effects so fair memory loss tiredness seeing and hearing things coldness all the time weight gain lack of sleep
    • geoff2528
      geoff2528 marshall71

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply and it seems you suffer with gabapentin also as I do .. how do you manage with the lack of sleep if i may ask? Geoff
  • brian_1966
    brian_1966 geoff2528

    Posted

    hi Geoff I have been gaba for a while now without any real side effects till few days ago when I started having blurred vision which was really scary I've made an appointment with my doctor to have this checked out as I'd rather go on another pain relief medication than this

    Brian

    • geoff2528
      geoff2528 brian_1966

      Posted

      Brian thanks for your reply ... how are you going on with your gabapentin now ... your problems with blurred vision settled at all .. i know it is a recognised problem with this medicaiton!  But good you have not had any other problems so far.  How long have you taken this medication? I have to say myself I find it a good thing for pain relief!
  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 geoff2528

    Posted

    Hello Geoff,

    I take 300mg of Gaberpentin 3x a day. I do find sleeping difficult so i am now taking 10mg of Amitriptyline at night to halp with sleep.  Amitriptyline is used for nerve pain and i find it works for me. The only side effects i have is weight gain, i am not happy about this but the pain relief is more important for me. 

    I hope you find what is right for you.

    Elizabeth.

     

    • geoff2528
      geoff2528 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Thanks Elizabeth ... yes you are prescribed the same amount of gaba as myself ... and you suffer with insomnia too ... i have tried amitriptyline in the past but it does not agree with me alas.  Be good to hear how you are doing and getting along! Gaba does provide good pain relief i agree.
  • jacqui6389
    jacqui6389 geoff2528

    Posted

    The side effects are ridiculous. U just need to decide whether the pains worse or the side effects. I decided the pain was worse so still on them but everything I take a dose I hate it.start with 100mg a day for 4 days 200 for 4 days and so on. Slower u adjust less likely side effects come
    • jacqui6389
      jacqui6389

      Posted

      Ps. I've been awake for 35 hours.
  • rita52071
    rita52071 geoff2528

    Posted

    It can take anywhere from one to two weeks and it depends on much your doctor increases it......I think its too much in such a short period to take that amount....believe me you are going to sleep sleep sleep good for the first week at least
    • geoff2528
      geoff2528 rita52071

      Posted

      Hello Rita... thanks for your reply ... i am afraid like most people with gabapentin I don't sleep well with it at all .. in fact i suffer with very bad insomnia because of it .... but i have in the past found it very good for pain releif ... hope you are managing ok.

      Geoff

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