Potential Long Term Effects Of Gabapentin
Posted , 132 users are following.
I have been on Gabapentin on and off for about 7 months (since approx January). I was taking it for chronic pelvic pain, and it worked well, but it made me very emotional and made higher cognitive functions difficult. After 4 months of semi-regular use, I got off it quickly, but kept it around in case of a severe pain flare up. As of now I have gone through 2 "100 capsule" bottles of 100mg pills, so not too much. Never took a higher dosage then 300mg and never took more than 300mg in one day.
I've used it a few times recently (in July, just a few weeks ago) when the pain really flared up, thinking it would only have minimal side effects, but it has resulted in continual severe depression and dark thoughts even though I haven't taken any in two weeks. I took it occassionally because I thought the depression was predominantely from the chronic pain, but now I realize the gabapentin was the root of it. I'm terrified because I know the drug has long since left my system but I can't shake the side effects. Doctors and psychologists won't listen to me. They say I'm just depressed and it isn't the medication, but I'm positive it is. The pain is finally improving, I'm going back to school, and things are looking up. But there is this unshakable auora that is plauging me. No matter how hard I distract myself and push through there's this cloud that impares my ability to emotionally and physical function (feelings of detachment, separation, depression, and some suicidal thoughts). Words come slower, it's harder to focus, memory is very dull. I wasn't concered within the first few days, but it's been a few weeks now and I'm alarmed that it doesn't seem to be improving.
Do the side effects ever go away... How long does it take and what can catalyze the healing process? Is it possible to incur permanent damage from a low dosage, or does it take months to heal. Can anyone explain the biomechanics behind how gabapentin can affect patients weeks after usage.
Hopefully there is an answer and the possibility for recovery, but at the moment things are very frightening.
13 likes, 287 replies
Guest adam3355
Posted
Well guys this is the true reality of the world for myself, in addition to the one we share (the world). This drug is another prescription medication I classify as a "Lab Rat" medication. So here's the story I was initally introduced to Gabapentin when I was young by my mother as supplementation to my daily doses' of Xanax for my "social anxiety". At the beginning I found euphoric effects allievating some of the hate I had for myself i.e. "social anxiety."
After following a darker track down the rail I was disputing with my doctors about raising my Benzodiazepine level in which they objected, letting me leave with bottle of 120 300mg Gabapentin capsules (yellow). So here's where the story begins, one night I was feeling full of anxiety over the past mistakes I've made in my life and decided to start popping 15 at a time, as the night progressed it was 65; in all 120 capsules (300mg)(120)=(36,000mg)=(36grams) in approximately 3-4 hours.
In order to keep this account 100% accurate I morally must include that I took no less than 90 capsules. 90 < x < 120 capsules (for my math people 😉
. Results, include previous (awhile back ago) periods of time where I would black out, only to awake to an unfamiliar place, unaware of who I was, complete disconnection from reality, nothingness, an indescribable feeling of nothing, not even a death feeling, worse. These incidents occurred approximately 3-5 times in a 2 month period.
Long-term damage, includes memory, speech problems, reality detachment, misery, weakness, I smell like my own bile lost my own job (though may be related to the antibiotics I was on for 6 years for acne)
NO NERVES. I feel pain to an extent but I know deep down it's FRIED. This medication is lab rat medication. I would have been better off walking into my doctor and recieving a large bottle of OxyCodone where the side effects would be well known and documented. And I mean it'd work too! In a different chapter at the moment, these acts transpired a year or two ago.
Possible resolution, for the damaged I can only tell you what has made me more productive in my day to day life. Heavy duty painkillers brought the spark back to the joy of life, though with as tight as the laws are I am unable to receive anymore. Current medications I take, 20mg Adderall 3 times a day and 5mg of Ambien occasionally to sleep. Remember fokes if your in legitimate pain there is absolutely no reason you shouldn't be prescribed an opiod painkiller.!
I'm hoping I left out my philosophical viewpoints out as much as possible. I HATE THIS DRUG I'm not the only person it has affected, the way it is marketed and handed out like candy for whatever aches and pains you feel is vile. It's not even the doctors fault they just read surveys all day and here about some good results. Everybody in this world is a baby nobody has any true knowledge. Cause and effect. These drugs are messing with more than any provider could think of. The human brain and body is extremely complex. I'm sorry for the damage I've done but it's time to move on.
Please pray for the fool, cause this is just a small segment of my story. Jesus is King...
GodBless, happy and more importantly I wish you all safe travels. P.P.S. Pray your rosaries!
My way to Repent for my sin against our lord.
mak4525 Guest
Posted
sorry about your experience with this drug. i have had a very different experience. i've been taking it for years. at first it gave me an "all is well'' with the world feeling. then, that wore off and i felt like any other normal day. i am still taking it with no ill effects.
roger82867 adam3355
Posted
Adam sorry to hear your situation with neuroton. It's got to be some else that is causing tour side effects. My brother had been taking this for some time now. And I think he has has some of these issues but I thought it stemmed from his alcohol use. I just stated taking this for my recently developed sciatica out of the blue. Hopefully this ceases. I hope you have gotten better Adam and if you should get suicidal thoughts that are too bad make sure you talk to people and reach out to a professional immediately do not try to tackle the issue alone and also a lot of prayer and going to church on Sunday will really help you out with that. Does anyone know what is the safest route to treat this sciatica with maybe one of the shots that I read in the Forum if so please let me know. Come to Facebook and pull me up under Roger tastywaves eliquids
pamela_98030 adam3355
Posted
Adam really sorry to hear about your depression I've been on Gabapentin for maybe 3 days now I had told surgery but I have no side effects I'm not depressed I just had like a little slight headache but other than that I feel fine I'm taking 300 milligrams 2010 probably doing 3 capsules every three hours
candida34625 adam3355
Posted
Have your side effects gone away?
I'm scared that once I wean off of the medication my pain will come back and my memory will never come back
Holly1974 candida34625
Posted
I have just seen your post about whether the side effects ever go away once this drug is stopped. From my own experience, and I used to atke 1800mg gabapentin for a considerable length of time under the pain clinic at a hopsital in the UK, I weaned myself off this drug slowly and have been off it for over 2 years now. It caused me considerable memory loss, and cognition problems, porblems with speech and not being able to finish the ends of my sentences, cannot access the word I want.....my memory has improved compared to what it was, but I feel there is an element of permanent damage that has been caused. I felt I had to stop any further deterioration. I had taken it for too many years with the drs telling me initially this drug wasn't responsible. I went from being 2i science degree eductaed to feeling like I was lsoing my mind, and was still on 40 yrs. I did have more pain when I initially reduced my dose and when I stopped it, but it passed over a number of weeks. I still suffer nerve pain but I would never take this drug or pregabalin ever again. I feel not enough is known about it, and when I reported problems to my dr they were dismissed out of hand.
Zoom Holly1974
Posted
I am so sorry to read about your struggles. I encourage you to do all the things we know that can help brain neurons fire. For me that has included eating lots of blueberries (which grow in my area) and salmon. I also have learned an easy instrument (the mountain dulcimer) and participate in a song circle. Apparently making music can really activate many parts of the brain. Simple walking also brings the left and right side of the body and brain into unified action. Please know that I am awkward and not much of a musician so I'm walking very slowly and the tunes I can produce are really simple -- but it all has helped. I so hope you can improve.
Zoom candida34625
Posted
I still have waves of spasms -- one or two almost every day -- but I was also on opioids for a long time. I just posted to Holly1974 that I really do work to do the things that can help brains (making music, eating right, exercising). I'm trying to keep down sugar (a known inflamnatory food) but that's hard!
Holly1974 Zoom
Posted
Thank you for your tips.....it is frustrating not knowing what damage this drug has done over the years. All we can do like you say is be kind to ourselves and try to overcome our diffculties the best we can. Take care
Rener Holly1974
Posted
mak4525 adam3355
Posted
I've been taking gabapentin for several years and i have found that it has exactly the opposite effect on me. it gives me a feeling of "all is well with the world.''
law77561 adam3355
Posted
law77561 adam3355
Posted
if anyone wants info on how to use it topically just reply, I can send photos of my compounded "legal" pharaceutal cream. one of the main ingredients is gab. but no side effects or affects. just reserch compounding medicine to use topically. they are even using meloxocam and Ibuprohen for areas that have inflamtion causing pain. these meds use another ingredient that aides in delivery to below sking areas of pain, by the nerves and the results last just as long as if taken internally.
Rener law77561
Posted
Please send me information. I'm desperate for the numbing but not the nasty side effects! Thank You! Sherri N
renee44420 adam3355
Posted
Ive been on gabapentin 4 about 11yrs so I'm scared because i think a lot of problems ive been having is due to the long-term use of gabapentin so idk what to do
Rener renee44420
Posted
me too. My Doctors don't believe Me. I've almost died more than once. Low sodium levels! It's rare but maybe not!