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Potential Long Term Effects Of Gabapentin

Posted , 132 users are following.

adam3355
adam3355

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

287 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest adam3355

    Posted

    In the 90s it seem to be the drug of choice for doctors involved in pain management. The problem was there wasn’t enough data on long term use, so they prescribed it like it was a wonder drug! These days I’m told by a friend who is anaesthetist they understand the side effects better and it’s no long prescribed so readily.
  • mamie00281
    mamie00281 adam3355

    Posted

    I have been on gabapentin for years. I take 1600mg two times a day. That might be why I can't think straight at times, I also fall a lot and can't walk straight.

  • hoffman
    hoffman adam3355

    Posted

     I have trapped nerves in my back. The pain clinic doctor put me on gabapentin slowly until I was on 900 mg per day. After several times of them not finding the correct nerves to ablate, and various other signs that they really didn’t have their s**t together,  I went in and told them I no longer had any pain. I had been on gabapentin for so long that it did the job without me having to rest the idiots at the Pain Clinic to further screwup.

     it has been several months now, and the gabapentin is doing it’s job. I spoke to a couple of other knowledgable pain treatment doctors and both thought that first of all, to avoid any procedure is usually a good thing and neither thought that long term use should not be a problem.

     since starting on gabapentin I should tell you that the withdrawals I was having from getting off of major quantities of benzodiazepines over a long period of time had stopped. Also the nerve pain I was having from former surgeries seem to stop as well. 

     I actually have not thought any clearer in a very very long time. Balance is not an issue and though it hasn’t been a long time, about six months, it seems to be a wonder drug for me.

     keep in mind that not only is gabapentin prescribed for different things but everyone is different. Plus I changed about six other medications for other problems. One is for bipolar. I also take CBD oil for anxiety and general well being. Yes, it is legal in all fifty states, and it works for many things. It’s not snake oil. Neither is THC. Safe drugs that can be a lifesaver to some people.

     I also take a raft of different vitamins that I feel have been very effective in keeping me healthy. 

    I hope this has been helpful for some of you.

  • crystal82995
    crystal82995 adam3355

    Posted

    My dad has been taking it about 3 yrs and he seems uptight and forgetful and grumpy it makes him have insomnia as well
    • hoffman
      hoffman crystal82995

      Posted

       was your dad grumpy before he took the gabapentin? Was it because of the pain he was in? Is he out of pain now? Only you could tell if the difference really seems to be the gabapentin. I’m not a doctor but I wouldn’t think that this drug would affect mood, unless it does not do it’s intended purpose.

      After three years use I wouldn’t think that it would have any direct affect and mood but everyone is different.

    • msilinda
      msilinda crystal82995

      Posted

      I was too when I took it during the daytime, maybe he should only take it at nighttime? Also there are many medications it is not supposed to be combined with.
  • brenda41231
    brenda41231 adam3355

    Posted

    I’ve read several of f these and none have dealt with neuropathy. I am allowed 4, 400mg capsules a day. At present I take only 2 of them. Do they cause depression, I don’t know as I am also Bi-Polar. I’ve been on neurontin for years and seriously don’t know what else to take for nerve pain. I tried Lyrica but am allergic to that. I’ve also been to pain specialists who have prescribed Methadone and Dilaudid so I’m pretty sure they aren’t qualified to answer my questions. Any suggestions at all?
    • hoffman
      hoffman brenda41231

      Posted

       4,400mg X 2 ? That’s a lot of gabapentin. Did you start out on smaller doses? Did you have to go up to that dose to have any effect?

       Lyrica has got a ton of side effects that are pretty bad. Neurontin is the better choice as far as I’m concerned. And the doctors that offered you methadone or Dilaudid should be shot. Really have to be your own advocate today. Lot of stupid doctors out there that are just in it for the money or don’t really know what they are doing. After a lifetime of bad information from doctors and pharmacists and therapists, I like to do my own research and either draw my own conclusions or try to find a competent doctor that actually cares!

    • msilinda
      msilinda hoffman

      Posted

      I agree with you completely. I have so many doctors that prescribe me stuff that has horrible side affects, or that are not even supposed to be prescribed to me because of medical conditions I have or conflicts with other medications that when I get the medicine and read it, it clearly says I can't take it. I have even talked to my doctors as to "...why did you prescribe this did you not even read my chart...". I had two of my regular doctors admit they just don't have time to keep up on everything. So I now do my own research, I cross check to ensure there is no conflict with other meds I am on or my conditions. If you follow medical research trials for the medications, most are NOT tested in a controlled research trial combined with multiple other medications. That is just impossible to test all combinations of meds. You have to be careful especially if on more than one medication at a time.

  • sharon99194
    sharon99194 adam3355

    Posted

    Adam3355, did your withdrawal symptoms eventually go away? Do you by any chance remember how long it took or if anything helped? I'm desperate for a light at the end of the tunnel 

  • deadman1204
    deadman1204 adam3355

    Posted

    I'm doing a long tapering decrease of my dosage now (dr recommended it).

    At the beginning I was taking 1800mg per day (2 300mg capsules three times a day).

    Every 2 weeks, I decrease by 1 pill.

    That has been going well (occasionally a small bump the day I decrease, but not bad).

    I also feel like I'm not as fuzzy headed now (although that could also be an effect of using 25mg amytriptiyle now).

  • sao45879
    sao45879 adam3355

    Posted

    I've been on 300mg a day for seven months and I've noticed all the same side effects. It's making life so difficult on top of other medical conditions. I've got Trigeminal neuralgia so I can't get physio or anything to help, I'm only 18 and I've got to start university soon, does anybody have any advice about other medications?

    • deadman1204
      deadman1204 sao45879

      Posted

      I think your best course of action is to tell your Dr that the side effects are causing to many problems and that you need an alternative.

      A Dr will know which alternatives will be better for you.

  • karen00697
    karen00697 adam3355

    Posted

    Adam....did your side efftects ever go away ? I am going through the same issues and am terrified I will never be the same again. Please let me know !
    • msilinda
      msilinda karen00697

      Posted

      I have been on Gabapentin 300mg between 1-3 per night for my diabetic nerve pains in my feet for a year. I had some of the side affects people list here ONLY when I tried to take the medication split throughout the day. When I told my doctor she recommended I only take them 2 hours before bedtime, as it also makes you sleepy. As soon as I stopped taking ANY during the day, and only took 1-2 (300/600mg) 2 hours before bedtime, my symptoms went away. I found that I was having memory problems because it was making me sleepy/droggy while still alert, if that makes sense? Anyways, I do make a point to cleanse myself of it completely about one week per month or a few days in a row. I am 53 yrs old, and now that I only take it 2 hours before bed I have not experienced any side affects, and I am in a job where I have to focus and stay very mentally alert and my career is all about my memory and using my brain/knowledge. All I can say is changing to only night time only (I never take it during the day now) made all the difference for me. But I would always recommend cleansing off it completely for a few days. But that is true for most medications.
    • hoffman
      hoffman msilinda

      Posted

      I have found a competant pain clinic physician and will go through with having the nerves in my back ablated. I have cut my gabapentin down from 900mg daily, to 400mg, by vaping quality CBD oil, which is legal in all 50 states.

      I could go on and on about the benefits of CBD oil taken in many different forms. All I will say is that it may be possible for anyone to get off that godawful drug, and many others you may be taking. 

      I have also lost a significant amount of the weight I gained while on 900mg daily.

      Quality CBD, and a significant amount of it is a healthy, risk free way to cure what ails ya! Please research!

    • Rener
      Rener msilinda

      Posted

      I’m glad cleansing it out of your system works for You. I think it’s up the Persons Doctor and the withdrawals Someone else could experience is a whole lot different then Yours!! I literally go to another planet mentally if I just forget to take this. If my Daughter hasn’t stepped in when She has I had would’ve been placed on a psych hold. They get it back in Me and I will awake tied to a hospital bed wondering what happened. With the nurses saying.... your nice! We heard you were a real problem!  Don’t ever just discontinue this medication. Taper slowly with Doctor help and let your own brain and cns decide. Everyone is different
    • msilinda
      msilinda Rener

      Posted

      You are absolutely correct, everyone's body chemistry is different. I stop all medications cold turkey to do cleanses and I have never in my life had any withdrawal symptoms from stopping any medications ever. But I also don't have an additive personality or body chemistry. So I can't relate to those that do get addicted to anything. My daughter is also on this for her nerve pains and she didn't have any problems once I changed her to taking it at nighttime only.

    • msilinda
      msilinda hoffman

      Posted

      I tried CBD at a relatives recommendation and it did not help me at all. I even increased the dosage and still nothing. So I am not convinced that works for everyone. But one of my relatives swears by it as the only thing that helps them too.
    • hoffman
      hoffman msilinda

      Posted

       many many factors involved. Who manufactures the CBD, how it is processed, amount taken, duration...all make a huge difference.  It is not magic, but it’s not a placebo either. It will have an effect on a human body and mind.
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