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
summoldguy adam3355
Posted
Gaba made me feel detached from my senses, like I couldn't quite process stimuli like I could prior. I felt like I was in a bubble. It's very hard to explain. Even when I got off it, I never quite returned to normal.
Fast forward to 2014, still dealing with chronic pain, found a new pain management doctor...he prescribed "Gralise" (sp?) which is time released Gabapentin labeled for chronic pain. I protested and explained what happened the last time, but he said I just take at night and side effects wont be notable during the day.
He was wrong. I got myself off it, but it was months later. I was worse off than ever. Emotional detachment, slower focus, slower memory, fractured thinking, almost like I've been partially lobotomized. All I see in my "inner eye" is a gray wall of nothing. I'm not sad or depressed - that might actually be an improvement as I would actually feel some sort of strong emotion. Every moment I am overshadowed by the realization that I could just "let go" and I would not exist anymore. I could yammer on, but unless you've experienced it, it's just a bunch of words. I've been searching the web to see if anyone has experienced anything like this.
It's almost 2016 now and no relief from gaba.
emma68070 summoldguy
Posted
I was thinking the same thing today. I am a mental health therapist. I only feel exhaustion and stress. It was raining here and I felt pretty depressed for 10 minutes in the a.m. other mornings I do feel extreme happiness. Only for brief periods of time. Mostly I feel nothing. To others I just appear flat and lethargic. I'm weaning off the gb. I'm at 45 mg (using a scale). My only other emotion experience is extreme irritability and rage. That continues to improve but only by a nothingness
EmP1226 summoldguy
Posted
I'm sorry to hear about your negative experience because I know all too well how you feel. It's made me a different person and not in a good way. I feel detached also, like I'm in a dream world. My brain feels like it's wrapped in cotton. I'm going to try and taper off of the Gabapentin because I can't live like this. I hope you get to feeling better soon!
mark21323 adam3355
Posted
lesley1954 mark21323
Posted
Because I was started off on such a low dose, I can now tolerate the high dose with no problems.
This drug needs to be built up slowly, and also taken regularly. I have seen a comment on here somewhere, that someone is tsking these tablets as and when needed. They need to be taken regularly so that they build up.
Taking one tablet one day and missing the next day, is no good.
b2wc97455 adam3355
Posted
emma68070 adam3355
Posted
beckyboo4201 adam3355
Posted
My name is Becky and I was wondering if after a year, if you're feeling better and if anything has changed with your memory? I have severe fibromyalgia and am on gabapentin. I have since had to quit going to college and my life is going down the tubes because of my disorders and the medications I'm on. My memory and deep depression are at an all time peak. Thank you for sharing!
Sincerely,
Becky
Holly1974 beckyboo4201
Posted
b2wc97455 Holly1974
Posted
Holly1974 b2wc97455
Posted
In response to my lifestyle, I do not smoke, I do not drink any alcohol ( I live on slow release morphone for chronic pain so it's banned !), I have gastro problems also prob'y in part related to meds and most of my diet is low in fat and mostly gluten free. I would love to do more exercise, but my back problems prevent me from doing so, been getting worse for last 9 years, and I see pain clinic consultants at least twice a year. In my case, I would not take the idea of taking an antidepressant lightly, but due to suicidal ideation and my worsening depression I had to take action - I have 2 children and it would not have been fair on them should I have taken it further....if you know what I mean. I did drop my dose last summer and was okay for 6 months, but SAd on top of chronic pain forced me to get the dose increased again over the winter. I have also accessed many psychological therpaies over last few years......sadly the long term effects of gabapentin on my cognitive centre of my grain and memory and chronic pain leaves me needing the meds I take. I would hope that people not be judgemental about others, I have a 2i in pharmacology, so I can assure you I trid everything else first and at the same time, and take no meds without thinking of the side effects also.
b2wc97455 Holly1974
Posted
Holly1974 b2wc97455
Posted
bree1313 Holly1974
Posted
Holly
U & I sound like soul sisters from half world away.. I am similar in almost everything except the kids . And diff narcs to try to keep the fibro & back injury/ sciatic pain at bay . I am still in my pharmaceutical profession but finding it increasingly difficult due to the gabapentin side effects currently . people wish they had as healthy of a lifestyle that I live but they sit in judgement due to my incapacity to do certain things & have a hard time understanding that no two days are exactly the same . I say good on you girl for continuing the fight & let the gossipy judges blather on... Til it happens to them & watch them expect the world to stop ... Lol💜💜
BrightonB adam3355
Posted
Gabapentin has a very short 'half life', so it doesn't stay in your system long. That's why when we take it we take it three times a day. It also means if you suddenly stop taking it you may suffer withdrawl type symptoms. Personally if I miss a dose I get anxious, hot, sweaty and feel stressed.
So dipping in and out of taking gabapentin only once or a few times increases your risk of feeling rubbish. It also doesn't help with pain if you do not take it regularly. It simply takes time to work. It's not a traditional painkiller and shouldn't be used that way.
I have had some success with back/leg pain. It's not completely gone, but I feel like after a year my nervous system has calmed down to a certain point that the pain isn't so troubling. I'm planning to gradually come off gabapentin now.
There is hope with pain and I hope you get there. Have a look at a youtube video called 'understanding pain in less than 5 minutes'. It's really interesting.