1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Gabapentin

Gabapentin and Infections

Posted , 5 users are following.

Rener
Rener

Has anybody taking gabapentin been made worse by all the side effects. I can't keep My electrolytes balanced and also the upper respiratory infections are about to do Me in. I've had 4 near death pnuemonia that went septic and just have been releases from a nursing home where I was getting IV antibiotics for bacterial menegitis after I got a pain pump put in and then emergency removal!  My Primary doesn't believe Me and I try to point out all the side effects. I had chronic back pain when I started taking gabapentin and now I'm scared I'm about to die. I'm tapering off and trying to get off of it before it does kill Me. It's the scariest and worst drug I've ever taken!  Sherri

3 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • JohnAk
    JohnAk Rener

    Posted

    HI I HAVE BEEN TAKING GABAPENTIN FOR 4 YEARS     . 2,700 MG A DAY. YES THEY CAN MAKE YOU VERY DROWSY, I AM TAKING THEM FOR BACK PROBLEMS. THEY HELP IN THE WAY THAT THEY TAKE AWAY MOST OF THE PAIN I GET IN MY CHRONIC BACK PAIN...I THINK THAT EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT AND EFFECT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.  IN WHAT WAY ARE THEY CAUSING YOU PROBLEMS ???????
  • JohnAk
    JohnAk Rener

    Posted

    BE VERY CAREFUL TAPERING OFF THEM, THEY CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS.ASK YOUR DOCTOR THE BEST WAY TO TAPER OFF THEM .
  • Guest
    Guest Rener

    Posted

    Hang in there!...this will pass..a ton of us all going threw this. We will make it.🙏

    • Rener
      Rener Guest

      Posted

      Thank You! After 5 years and finally figuring out the problem I'm ready to be done!  I had no idea this supposedly safe med was so bad!  I came to this site because I thought I can't be the only one!  There has to be a lot of people hospitalized and even deaths attributed to this med. I wonder if it's even considered as possible reason. I've almost died several times from the side effects and My family would not have looked into gabapentin. Any opiates or benzos would've been blamed. I only take the opiates I do because of excruitiating pain in pelvic brought on by gabapentin. I hope Doctors or more Doctors wake up to the dangers. Now I have to convince My Primary that lowering it 300 mg every 3 days is too fast!  Not wanting to have ongoing withdrawals. I think He is clueless!

  • ksfa
    ksfa Rener

    Posted

    I too have been suffering with upper respiratory infections since I have been using gabapentin.  It has been hell for the last two years getting every viral infection that comes along.  I have weaned down and off of the gaba, but can't seem to get rid of the nasty cough and nasal drip that I got 6 weeks ago.  I am over 60 and noticed that the side effects of viral infection go up dramatically in older people.  The drug helped with chronic nerve and spinal lumbar pain, but it all has not been worth the health issues.  I started CBD a month ago and am finding a lot of relief from pain.  I am hopeful if only I can get healthy again.  I have not checked my white cells, but the side effect is that they diminish as a side effect.  Sucks!!!

    • Rener
      Rener ksfa

      Posted

      I believe if looked into it would be found the same for a lot of people as they age plus length of time on med. I'm still withdrawing but got first clear lungs check in 2 years. It takes time. I also just keep getting infections. The last being bacterial meningitisN. That was really bad. I talked with Doctor at Hospital today because of elevated WBC that goes up then normal. I believe Doctors are at a point They don't know what to do?!  In time They will realize something has to be done. The more it's talked  about then it may help others.  Not to even start unless it's meant for conditions FDA said ok!  No more for whatever pain a person has. Mine was spine pain brought on by a failed FDA study. Not neuropathy though!  No shingles, bipolar or seizures!  I got medicated for a lot of things which are side effects of gabapentin! i think don't know what to do. For You, your keeping viral infections and Your off gabapentin for Me I'm getting improvement!  Everyone is different. It has to be individually done plus from some They stop and Their fine but others it last per month They were on it. I was for 5 years so I hope not!  More studies need to be done!  Can You imagine the health cost involved. I've been in ICU at least 8 times  in last year!  My chart list chronic infections, upper respiratory, Addison's disease which I didn't have until gabapentin. So high steroids daily. Love the hypoactive thyroid too. It changes per month. False positive testing!!!  That's medicines you just don't take!  Unless problem!  I hope You get better and your cns starts kicking back in gear so to say. It just takes time!  Take care! Sherri

    • ksfa
      ksfa Rener

      Posted

      I was reading this morning about medicine caused rhinitis and of course  gabapentin is one of the culprits.  This on top of the viral infections can cause us a lot of grief.  The article said that it takes 7-21 days after ceasing gaba, to clear the med out of the system before things can change and it usually gets worse before it gets better, causing all kinds of congestion.  I am glad that others are writing about the bad side of gabapentin.  I regret ever starting it but am glad that I finally know the cause of so much illness. 

      I hope you can get on top of all of these health issues.  It seems to be such a struggle after immunity is compromised.  I am determined to eat right and get back what has been stolen.  I love dairy food, but am having to cut back or stop because of the congestion it causes.  I am focusing on living plant foods and no sugar.  (that is hard but helps)

      My spouse does not understand why I don't want to continue seeing physicians, but honestly the problem started with prescriptions and I can't see adding more to get rid of the side effects of another.  Thank you for being frank about it all taking time.  I have never suffered so long with common colds that always turn in bronchitis.

      My best to you and others who are trying to heal and live free of the problems caused by this medication.

      Blessings.....

    • Rener
      Rener ksfa

      Posted

      Thank You for Your blessings. M going to try to cut my dairy and sugar. I I'll try st about any suggestion at this point and hope the 7-21 days is true!  My whole Famiky is vowing to stop taking medications that are not absolutely necessary like BO!  I'm so tired of getting Pnuemonia!  Many Blessings to You and hope Your congestion and other side effects begin to improve!

  • Billyboy179
    Billyboy179 Rener

    Posted

    I hope you're doing o.k. you're not alone in this. Stay strong and fight it out. It will get better, even if it doesn't feel like it

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.