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
merna86457 adam3355
Posted
Countrygal1963 adam3355
Posted
Gabapentin is one of the best pain releivers as well as onr of the worst that I have taken. It is not a drug that you can take every now and then as I was told by several doctors. It does have long term affects. My doctor had me taking 3600 mgs per day. 4 - 300 mg capsules 3 x per day. That was a year ago. Though I have lyme disease and all that comes with having lyme, symptoms are exasturbated from having taken the gabapentin.There is plenty of research that proves
That gabapentin can be mind and body altering.I quit by taking away one pill per week until I was done. I had paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, suicidle thoughts, hilucinations, sweats, chills, nausia, restlessness, insomneia, headaches, sweats and chills. Still a year later feeling the affects. Yes, my dose was much higher than yours but as my doctors told me there are still side effects long after taking the drug at any dose for a period of time. Good luck to you!
prissymt adam3355
Posted
I know your post is over a year old but i thought it important that i tell you of my experience with gabapentin. I was prescrbed it for nerve pain 12 years ago and took it for 14 months. I experienced depression which improved only moderately after i stopped taking the drug. I was prescribed effexor xr for depression soon after and have been taking it ever since. I also experienced a loss of memory which involves not being able to bring simple vocabulary words to mind which has persisted for more than a dozen years. My career depends on my word usage and ability to communicate so i have learned some techniques to quickly change my sentence formation at midstream to includes words i can recall. Sometimes i dont experience these issues at all but when i am tired or under stress it returns with a vengeance. If i had known there would be such dramatic long term effects i certainly would never have taken this drug. While i am not delivering good news i did want you to know that the brain learns to compensate and although i am now in my sixties i have seen no further deterioration in memory beyond the initial effects. I am sure there are many people who have life- altering after effects from taking gabapentin and this is just one story. But if there is one thing i do know after a lifetime of disorders i could not genetically avoid, the body adjusts to a " new normal" so please dont stress and give your body time to recover. I concentrate on the positives and with some reliable medications i have been able to enjoy a good life. I wish you the best.
emma68070 prissymt
Posted
Thanks for the hope. I've been off for a few months from a year long taper. My mood has finally improved for the better most of the time.
. My memory has not returned and I too find myself grasping for to explain my knowledge in my mental health profession. I often feel the knowledge is locked away somewhere. I fear the fluidity will never return. And I'm in a good position to fight the use of drugs and save some kids.
I am having a tough time working in mental health right now. There is far too much drug pushing on children and it breaks my heart. The current model is medical (drug) based. If a kid is not responding to therapy after a couple months or gets into physical fights, drugs are mentioned way to quickly and on almost every case. People overlook the side effects because drugs are some new norm. I'm having a tough time staying in my field with all the knowledge I've learned and seen as a result of drugs. Please keep posting everyone.
nancy35784 adam3355
Posted
Chemo was what started me down the path of Gabapentin to treat pain for perpheral neuropathy. I've been on the medication for two years and I'm concerned about how long is too long. I still have the pain and gabapentin is the only medication that works. Opiates do nothing. Are there any people out there that developed this disorder from chemo and are still on the medication?
Thanks
bree1313 nancy35784
Posted
I do understand you on the opiates not being effective ( am not chemo ) musculoskeletal trauma to my spine . They've tried my on mass doses of diff drugs .. All they do is " cap the top off the pain mountain" . Now I'm suffering a bunch of side effects from gabapentin that is making me less healthy & harder to fight the levels of pain other than being snowed over & unfunctional by heavy narcotics. 😟 Good luck with your chemo . How's it going so far?
tom_38611 adam3355
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emma68070 adam3355
Posted
I wish I could answer that for us I'm tired of asking the question. Instead I decided to focus on what I can change. For example , playing brain games and reading .
adsum1022 adam3355
Posted
Hi Adam! I just randomply saw your post as this is not a site that I frequent often! Have you recieved an answer or more importantly, an answer that you trust and understand yet? I see that this is an old post so I didn't want to immediately go into a long answer! Please let me know if you feel like you are in a better place with all of this as I am more than happy to help.
As a VERY quick, short answer: It would be irresponsible and unethical of me to say "yes, these symptoms will dissapear!" because I do not have your comprehensive history and therefore cannot say if the side effects that you are experiencing are in fact side effects, or if they are actuallly symptoms of an undiagnosed or improperly diagnosed condition. I am primarily speaking of the pain and then the subsequent cognitive-psychological symptoms that you are experiencing (I am using present tense for purposes of response).
So, first and foremost I want to reassure you of a few things. First, you are NOT imagining the psychological or cognitive symptoms nor are you incorrect in associating them with the Gabapentin. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a physician who is perhaps in a specialty that does not require them to remain aware of the broad range of side effects that Gabapentin can cause. In my personal opinion, if you are writing this script, you had better take a moment to lok at the chemistry and chemical composition....but again, that is only my opinion. The drug derives it's name from the fact that it acts directly on Gamma-aminobutyric or GABA, for short, receptors. These are primarily in 2 groups. GABA-A, GABA-B. If you are still having an issue I will happily explain in greater detail. However, the important takeaway is that these receptors react, synthesize, uptake, etc with numerous other neurotransmittors, including ones that regulate seratonin.
As you may know, Seratonin is one of the MOST important neurochemicals in regulating mood and behavior. If you don't have enough, you may feel a bit off or blue- if you have the right amount you will feel healthy, functional, typically have lower amounts of chronic pain, experience fewer or no "mood swings" and have just a general overall sense of well being - Here's the twist, have too much of it and sadness and depression can come in fast and heavy. Neurochemisty is a fragile, fragile process. Getting patients on the right dose of meds is very often an experiment that is frustrating for both parties. I have some ideas about what MAY be going on with you- but again, I would need some additional information. I am unable to provide you with a diagnosis here- but I can certainly provide you with facts, help you get on the right track and point you in the direction of practitioners who will NOT laugh at you!! The fact is, you are right. I'll say it again so you can here it from someone with academic and clinical experience becuase often we need to hear it: YOU ARE RIGHT. You are not crazy. The symptoms that you noticed with mood may absolutely be directly connected to this medication.
Now- you may also have an underlying condition that isn't helping matters OR perhaps there are other medications that are interacting with this one and that is a profound possibility.
I hope to hear back from you (should you need further assistance or information) and in the meantime I hope that you are on a better track or have gotten satisfactory answers by now!! Respectfully, Christina
leatrey adsum1022
Posted
Hi there, I was placed on gabapentin 600mg 1-3 tablets at bedtime for nerve pain and sleep by a physatrist Doctor, there was no taper up and I eventually went as high as 1500mg at bedtime but then the breakthrough pain was excruciating, nausea, upset stomach, anxiety. I kept telling the Dr about this and was told, your body will become used to the med but it didn't. I was on the regular Gabapentin for 20 days, the Dr then changed it to extended release 600mg twice a day. By day 4 I felt like I was crawling out if my skin, very anxious, panicky and wanted to kill myself. I started my own taper of 2 days when the Dr finally called me back and the nurse said to immediately stop taking it. Since then I am still having high anxiety, panic, tremors. I saw my primary Dr and she placed me on Cymbalta one week now on it and has been treating the anxiety with low doses of ativan. I don't like the sedating effects of ativan, I work nightshift and can't take it. I have just been trying to do deep breathing to get through the anxiety and panic but sometimes its not enough. My last dose of the Gabapentin was 12 days ago. I still have the tremors in my hands and feel like I'm quivering inside. No further suicidal thoughts. I have never felt like this in my life. I relate all of this to the Gabapentin.My primary Dr says I probably have a generalized anxiety disorder that was brought out by the Gabapentin. Can you give me any insight as to if I will stop with these horrible feelings? This is just awful. Any help is greatly appreciated...Thank you
Jeshuaschild adam3355
Posted
Hello
I just came across this while searching. I was given Gabapentin by mistake by a pharmacy
It's a look a like for my 600 mg ibuprofen
I took it for 30 days and detoxes for a week tapering it
It was hell
It's over 30 days since the last half pill and I'm still feeling depressed as well as experiencing gastro intestinal issues and others. It robbed me of my joy and I'm trying very hard to get it back. I hope you are better now. Just wanted you to know you're not the only one
adsum1022 Jeshuaschild
Posted
Hi there, Jesuaschild-
Although I do not have your complete patient history, I may be able to provide you with some reason to remain optimistic.
If I am reading this correctly, you were only on the Gabapentin for approximately 30 days? I want to tread very carefully when providing assistance or information as I do not know what other medications you are taking (if any) and at what dose. That fact, along with lack of your personal history forces me to choose my words carefully! You are not under my care so I am not advising - just providing some basic pharmacological/ biological information. That said:
I don't know how many milligrams of Gabapentin you were given - however if you can break the tabs in half, I can assure you that they were not XR (extended release). Tablets you can break easily and are not coated on the outside are immediate release. The good news with these is that due to their chemical half life- the majority of the medication is filtered out of your system shortly after the dose wears off. The tricky part is that the residual amount can continue to build up in your system at a cellular level. Generally speaking, if you are on a medication for less than 2 weeks, you won't even notice this and in time, the excess medication will be flushed out of your body entirely.
However- (and I really hope someone has taken the time to talk with you in depth about this...if they have not, I urge you to speak with your physician) Gabapentin works on the GABA-A receptors throughout your brain. One of the biggest neurochemicals that in synthesized there is Seratonin.
Although Seratonin is often referred to as the brain's "happy" neurochemical...that's not entirely accurate. If you are deficient in Seratonin in certain areas, then balancing it out to a level that feels right for you will absolutely help you feel more "balanced" emotionally. However....tip the scales a little to much, and the blues kick in and take over very quickly.
Since you were on the medication for a full 30 days, and during each of those days, just a tiny bit of excess accumulation took place - It will take more than 30 days to have it all completely gone and you feeling back to normal.
Even if people are telling you that you ought to feel better by now - they simply may not truly understand the entire process. Primarily how every single person has varients that effect this process (for example your wieght, liver functioning, and any other medications that you may be on or have been on recently).
You WILL feel your mood return to normal. I assure you. And here is why: You were not on that medication for long enough or at a high enough dose for it to have permanently altered the baselines of your prior your neurotransmissions. They WILL return to their previous states and you will feel like your self again. It is a slower process than we would like, but it will happen. The gastro issues resolve too. Hang in there!! I know it's not easy. Give yourself hope and optimism and another two weeks!
**If you are on an antidepressent, be certain to ask you doctor about this as many antidepressents are or contain Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors. This means they allow excess seratonin to stick around rather than being "recycled". This will prolong your process and may mean that Seratonin levels are good for you and should never be adjusted.**
Jeshuaschild adsum1022
Posted
Thank you so much. I was placed on the same dose as my Ibuprofen 600mg 3x a day as needed
My average intake for 30 days was 1200 per day
Since Drs were unaware of wrong med they treated my symptoms as allergy, fluid in ear
I ended up in ER twice due to severe dizziness. So the only other med I took was periodic Benadryl
They did give me some kind of med in ER but no recall
I was unable to drive
Slept most of time during day couldn't work
Drs visits 3x during that month
Weened off my taking 1/2 tab 2x a day for 3 days and 1/2 tab once a day for six days
Last 1/2 on 7/18
The detox was hell for me
The fluid remained in my head for 3 weeks
Then the gastrointestinal issues
The anxiety and jumping out of my skin lasted about a month
Depression throughout.
Like my joy was robbed
Prior to I was a very active healthy 65 yr old
Treated only w ibuprofen for osteoarthritis in my knees
I now feel so much older and fragile and weakened.
Thank you for the encouragement
It sounds like you are very knowledgeable
My trauma counselor I started to see two weeks ago is in agreement w you and has some knowledge of this med and its long term effects
Are you a medical professional
rachel82821 adam3355
Posted
Hi Adam,
I've come across your post whilst searching for others with similar side effects after taking Gabapentin. Your described side effects from the Gabapentin are exactly what I'm experiencing now. I'm wondering if they ever went away or if you are still struggling with it? I've been on Gabapentin for 2 months post nerve surgery and even though I have cut my dose from 1200mg a day until 500mg a day I am struggling to shift my uneasy feelings and low functional state!
I'm hoping this isn't going to last...
adsum1022 rachel82821
Posted
Hi Rachel-
I applaud you for recognizing that the Gabapentin may very well be responsible for changes in mood and thought, and also lowering your energy levels. That is not something that many patients would think of, believe it or not! So you are doing a great thing by advocating for yourself as this always allows one to woork with the "baseline" that they know feels normal for them.
You are doing fantastic so I don't want to bring any bad news - just keep in mind that a starting dose for a patient with chronoc nerve pain is generally in the area of about 300 mg's and then titrated upwards rather quickly. Even at the starter dose, many patients experience side effects.
The reason why Gabapentin works so welll for nerve pain (though there are several complex reasons) is because it allows for excess Seratonin circulation. Seratonin is heavily synthesized in our Gaba A neuro-receptors. Seratonin can balance mood and alleviate pain, but too much of it can dramatically offset your body's "baseline" and cause depression, fatigue, feelings of muscle weakness, dyspepsia and generally feeling unwell. As you continue to slowly taper down the dose, you will see a slow decline in these symptoms. Don't be suprised if you are done with the medication completely and after a few weeks, still don't feel completely like your "old self". That is completely normal...It takes a little while for your body to completely rid itself of the substance and every body has different varients. Weight, liver functionality, other medications, etc, can all effect how fast or slow this process may take.
But please do NOT despair!! I know it is extremely frustrating. But I assure you that in time it DOES go away. I promise (to the extent that I am legally permitted
) . If it is possible to incorporate any activity into your daily routine- that can help alot. I know thats probably all you've been hearing and if you are going to PT post surgery, I'm sure they are telling you that WHILE you are in pain and that can be very frustrating. So, be patient with yourself. As patient as you would be with a friend! This unfortunatly takes time, but it will pass as the medication leaves your system.
One SMALL suggestion I will make, (without knowing ANYTHING about your medical history- so it may not be possible or appropriate - but works for a large number of patients) is that is you still require pain relief after the surgery and the Gabapentin is too much- ask your Doctor about a low dose SSRI. These are technically anti depressants, but are VERY commonly used for pain management as it is much easier to control the amount of seratonin being released. So you may be able to end up at a very low and tolerable pain level (if at all) and a balanced mood without any digestive issues. Sounds like at dream at the moment, I'm sure
But it's absolutely an alternative worth asking about!!
Best of luck and a speedy recovery!!!
-Christina
rachel82821 adsum1022
Posted
Thank you Christina,
I feel more hopeful now! Thank you for your message. It's so good to get a clearer understanding of what's happening to my brain! I'm OK with it going slowly...(OK, maybe I'm trying to be ok with that!) im worried as I was given 1200mg of Gaberpentin by my ENT consultant after surgery on my trigeminal nerve and he seems to know very little about the meds... I am on the slow release ones and my language function has been effected to the point of not being able to remember basic language. I know what I want to say, I know there is a word I'm looking for, but it's deep in fog and I can't retrieve it. I work in a professional environment and need my language! Even reading this message makes me cringe as I know it's not making much sense.
Do you know if there Is there a chance things will get better over time (lots of time😉
Or if I have to learn a new me and new ability?
rachel82821 adsum1022
Posted
Thank you Christina,
I feel more hopeful now! Thank you for your message. It's so good to get a clearer understanding of what's happening to my brain! I'm OK with it going slowly...(OK, maybe I'm trying to be ok with that!) im worried as I was given 1200mg of Gaberpentin by my ENT consultant after surgery on my trigeminal nerve and he seems to know very little about the meds... I am on the slow release ones and my language function has been effected to the point of not being able to remember basic language. I know what I want to say, I know there is a word I'm looking for, but it's deep in fog and I can't retrieve it. I work in a professional environment and need my language! Even reading this message makes me cringe as I know it's not making much sense.
Do you know if there Is there a chance things will get better over time (lots of time😉
Or if I have to learn a new me and new ability?
Holly1974 rachel82821
Posted
Hi there,
Just saw this thread on my email and had to share my experience. I understand completely the problems re. language centre of your brain being affected, I had this and more, was like having early stages of dementia, I would get half way through a sentence and forget what I was saying - I still do and I haven't taken this medication for 18 months. I did take 1800mg, and then 1500mg a day for best part of 5 years, prescribed to me by the pain clinic I attend for chronic back pain and nerve pain in my legs. I got more wirhdrawn though as I felt frustrated and embarassed by these problems, and they even tried switching me to pregabalin, but the problem still persisted. I recall I was taking it for around a year before I really noticed these side effects getting bad. For me there was no improvement, I would say I am not as bad as I was, but there has been a LASTING effect on my language centre and short term memory part of my brain. I joke it's like having a crossword puzzle in my head, I can nearly see the word I want and know how many letters it has and poss. even the letter it starts with, but I cannot grasp hold of the word. And for someone who has a 2i in Pharamcology I was pretty concerned.
I told my pain clinic drs about these side effects from the start but found them to be quite dismissive. Whilst I did find the nerve pain intolerable, I have to say that these meds should be taken be CAUTION...the drs cannot tell me if these functions of my brain will return or not, my experience is people who havent experienced it find it hard to grasp how bad it is....and like I say I have been off 18 months and am still having problems from this drug.
I know other family friends who have taken it and had same issue, but they both sadly died as wre given it for nerve pain associated with tumours they had which proved fatal. You are not alone, I personally would never have taken this medication if I had known about this long term side effect.
Hope you get sorted
bree1313 Holly1974
Posted
I was on pregabalin for less than a month when it first hit the market. When they found me "drunk walking " at work & I almost crashed my car three times in the space of a 4 block trip from my house.. Definite reevaluation was ordered .😲🔫