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
Rener adam3355
Posted
Adam, I to am suffering major side effects from a high 5 year dose of gabapentin. For Me, I dropped to much too fast! 1200 mg. Not knowing it's effect. The first time I stopped I dropped it all for 5 days with no problem. Yet it could have become a problem. My chronic pelvic, lower back and abdominal pain returned so bad that I resumed where I had I left off! 3600 mg per day regulated! I then I ended up in I CU 7 times for various breathing problems and mostly upper respiratory infections. My Doctor doesn't believe Me when I say it was the gabapentin. No one does! My mental function was so bad that now require My Daughter to regulate My medications! My insurance is suggesting a home health professional also to help Me. When Disability suggests you need help..things are bad. Not one bit of sodium can be regulated right now! I belueve I'm suffering PTSD from the amount of pain I'm in. It was blamed on other health conditions that started after gabapentin. Not one Doctor has ever suggested it until just recently!! I asked and asked and told no that's not it! I know for sure now it was! Please don't give up and I know I'm not because We have a message to spread! Gabapentin is the most evil and vile medication that I've come across and if I made money off gabapentin then so would give it back! Please take care! Sherri
Rener adam3355
Posted
If Anyone is following this feed I would appreciate any feedback! In My experience on withdrawing of Gabapentin of 1200 Mg at once from 3600 mg to 2400 mg!! Yikes!! Too much at once! This has been 6 weeks now and I'm terrified to continue. It's still daily a withdrawing feeling. I wake up in excruciating pain! I honestly was off the chart with My pain. It has improved there at times! Then I will feel better but an hour later. It's back! Does this stop or is it like a tape deck in My brain with constant pain signals that may now be exaggerated but My brain won't set back. I'm afraid it will take a seizure..again.. to reset. Never had seizures until I started this medication. I'm a chronic pain sufferer with neuropathy but no shingles! Great!! Off label prescribing!! Is there anything that helps? Please God no more ICU for breathing and or upper respiratory, umm well vomiting etc!!!
Zoom Rener
Posted
I am so sorry to be slow to respond to you -- it is typical that neurotransmitter production of GABA has been "off line" as the gabapentin filled that slot. So your "factory floor" is dusty and has been in storage. It takes time for the factory to get up and going again. Here's a link for restoring dopamine and I think it helps with GABA too. http://helloendless.com/10-ways-to-increase-dopamine-to-boost-your-productivity/ Tapering off gabapentin is very tough -- I hope you are in constant contact with your healthcare team. Among other things, they may need to be educated about how rough it can be for patients.
Rener Zoom
Posted
Thanks Zoom! My Primary says 300 mg per 3 days is the way to withdrawal. I want Him to show Me and be My example! I will just go by and see how He is doing! First He can start taking it! Raise Himseld to 3600 mg per day. Do it for 5 years have every system compromised with the last being bacterial menegitis that comes from a pain pump being implanted from all the pain created by soo much gabapentin. I showed an example nfection before implantation but He claimed it was imflammation making my CPR a 13.3! The max was 0-5! I trusted Him. Within a week I was unconscious for 2 weeks with some delirium on a ventilator as They removed infected pump and then did back surgery to remove bacterial menegitis! Then to a Nursing Home! Did You know chronic infections are a side effect! Well He still doesn't believe Me. I know He can read! My medical chart side by side is a exact comparison to gabapentin side effects. Really currently getting in Primary. Getting off as many meds as possible! Sorry just rambling! I may go after Him with a lawyer as soon as I get better. I've been bankrupted by medical expenses! Sherri
deadman1204 adam3355
Posted
I know this is a bit late, but I've been on gabapentin for over a year now - due to chronic headaches from a concussion. My dose is 600mg 3x day (1800mg/day)
I experimented with stopping it (I started tapering myself off it for a week). Wow, not only did my headaches get worse, but my mood went REALLY bad. I was angry, depressed, anxious, hyper frustrated. This all went away when I resumed my normal dose.
So there are definite withdrawl symptoms for gabapentin
Rener deadman1204
Posted
Yea! My pelvic pain is excruitiating! I really get sick the smaller my dosage goes. 2 800 mg per day were easier than 2 600 mg tablets per day. My Doctor said when you are down to that amount the harder it will be. Plus since I've been taking it for 5 years and my sensitivity to meds it will most likely take awhile to no longer feel the symptoms of withdrawals once I take my last dose! If I wasn't getting worse side effects than what withdrawals are doing then I would probably stay where I am. It's effecting every system in my body and I'm in the hospital all the time. Mostly ICU! Sherri
Zoom deadman1204
Posted
I just posted to another person about ways to get dopamine up and going again -- I think you can see it if you scroll up from here. "GABA" is the neurotransmitter than calms us down. "Gabapentin" fills the GABA role so then our body quits making much GABA (why make it if it isn't going to be used?) -- but then if you quit taking the Gabapentin, the body takes a while to get back into production -- and that means you're out of the "calm down" neurotransmitter. Bummer for sure. The body can re-establish production but the transitions have to be carefully managed.
Rener Zoom
Posted
My Doctor feels 300 mg per every 3 days is the right amount to withdrawal. Ive been taking high doses of 3600 mg for about 5 years. I've cut out 2400 mg in 2 months but theclast 1200 mg is making me sick and pain increased! Is this too much to withdrawal from? I've heard it's about 100 mg per month.
victor78781 Rener
Posted
Zoom Rener
Posted
I think you should be in constant contact with your physician. Does that office have email? I'm serious because 1) They need to know what you are going through, 2) It might spur them to offer things that might help -- like a massage therapy offer or acupuncture (please be careful with opioids or benzodiazaprine as those are their own rat holes) and 3) It helps other patients down the road if the staff is educated about the full picture of this drug. If you can manage to keep a journal of what you are going through by the hour/or few hours then that might give you some clues as to what else you can do. You would think you would "know" but pain gives us brain fog. I felt better after a cup of black tea but everyone is different. I am so sorry you are having these struggles.
Rener victor78781
Posted
I'm sleeping only 2 hours a night. He gave me Klonopin .5 2x a day but I'm not sure it even helps! Going to stop it as all I need is another withdrawal. Hoping my cns somehow resets. If I could get rid of excruitiating pelvic pain then I would be soo happy. I finally realized after reading on this site that it is most likely tied. Into my gabapentin use! It's worth a shot since no amount of imagining can find anything!
Rener Zoom
Posted
There is a Patient portal but he doesn't seem to believe me and keeps saying it's a wonderful med. he uses it for his pain patients. I have chronic infections and just recently got bacterial menegitis. Anyway He has another patient almost exactly like me medically. Well she was in hospital at same time as me with same Thing? Wow! He had us both get a pain pump in as it was only thing to control Our excruitiating pelvic pain. A pain so bad I would try anything. Mine immediately got infected and it spread to my brain. I'm only waiting for new Primary as I won't listen to him anymore! I've almost died that I know of 4 x this past year. Doesn't even read to see about infections and gabapentin. More is better for him and sometimes less is better in my opinion. I'm trying to see if I can regain my health! Hopefully new Primary will help! He says just stop taking it. Well for him that's fine but not for me. I'm trying what I've read on the forum and will just go to ER if something wrong.
Guest adam3355
Posted
I was put on 900mg of Gabapentin for pain management. Within 2 years I had put on 42 ibs and was feeling very down and feeling suicidal on a regular basis-which is so out of character for me. One day I read an article about the side effects of this drug and one of them was suicidal thoughts. I went to my doctor and asked to come off of it. It took 6 weeks to grandually withdraw completely. Within weeks I felt happier and have never had such thoughts since. I tell all the people I know who talk about taking this not too-it’s a horrible drug with many side effects that are not explained to you fully.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/gabapentin-side-effects.html
Zoom Guest
Posted
There is a Facebook group that is titled something like "Gabapentin should be illegal" -- the others there might be interested in hearing about how you titrated off the drug. That step is so very challenging and many fail. I am glad to hear you are in a better place!
deadman1204 adam3355
Posted
I wouldn't go so far as to say this drug shouldn't be used or should be illegal.
Yes it can have side effects which are poorly explained. But that isn't the drug's fault, that one is purely on the doctors. This drug is old and generic, so its not like there are pharmaceutical reps whispering in the doctor's ear.
It is useful and helps alot of people. You just need to be aware of the issues it might cause.
Zoom deadman1204
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kelly93450 Zoom
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I titrated off with CBD''s & I do take a smidgen of THC to kick it in for pain, depending on my days. I got off of Fentanyl the same way, without any Dr's help. I feel they all need to take mandatory Alternative Healing courses, but they're slowly coming around. I also take loads of nutrients. A recent healer has been Ashwagandha as all these drugs, chemicals & constant pain stresses out the adrenals. You feel better in many ways within a few weeks & I lost weight & less nerve pain. And to the gal taking too many mgs at once...spread it out & take CBD's. But if it doesn't do much for you, as the other person commented on how well it's worked, then try & get off. Everyone, work on the healing of your organs with anything alternative & go from there. God help us from all this pain.