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
Deki adam3355
Posted
I was on Gabapentin for 10 years at 4500mg, finally started taking myself off very slowly dropping 300mg a week, took over 4 months to get off of it. My MRI's are steady, yet I feel like my brain is DYING, very emotional, very Happy/Joyful being who could only think about Suicide, even though Spiritually I don't believe in Suicide. Having Horrible Brain Attacks that have wiped out memory, cognitive function decline, he highly suspect The Gabapentin based on people who are taking it and Who DONT have a rare brain disease. Now knowing they've been fined over 3 Billion for illegal marketing practices "off label" and we are just seeing lawsuits develop now with pregnant women who were told it was safe!! How can a med that STOPS new brain synapses be safe for ANYONE?! That is how a brain grows, develops, HEAL. Thank you for sharing your story!! We are all in this together!
bree1313 adam3355
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I concur with some of your findings & have just recently had my 3rd set of injections .. This time directly into my sciatic joints instead of normal facets ( recommend to almost no one except the one or two ppl I wished would actually spend some time in my shoes instead of in constant judgement of my abilities ... Lol) I am currently on 600 mg three times a day to try to keep my narcotic use down so I can " function" . I have found that I have lost most of my energy and have become extremely forgetful ( not great for a health care career ) and I feel like I'm in chronic fatigue again.. Wanting to sleep all the time but not actually getting any meaningful rest. I've actually now gained over 20 kg this year due to re injury & all of the above combined . I don't feel suicidal ... Just lack of enthusiasm . So I do feel your frustration . I will be discussing my concerns with my coworkers to see if they have any advice . Maybe I'll get a better informed answer for both of us rather than " ur just depressed"
KarKar bree1313
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KarKar
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jimbourg8 adam3355
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Are you still on this forum ? I know it's been abaout a year and prob. you are not. But just thought I would try......
naomi64 adam3355
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I feel the same way. My withdrawal side effects are still lingering. I still feel light headed and dizzy adn weak. Its been about a week. I have the same questions as you. Maybe everyone is different. Nerve pain medicines might stay longer for some because of it being in the entire body. Nerves are everway. I will pray that we will be healed by God in the heavens. He will bring healing. By his stripes we are healed. Naomi
kay16649 adam3355
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I'm new to this group but my doctor just started me on 300 mg once a day...She wanted to start injections but I wanted to try something else first..lI can't bélieve what I'm reading about this medicine!! I have only taken a total of 2 and I'm calling my doctor to see why she never explained the side effects, etc, of this drug...I am in recovery and on Methadone and take 30 mg of that daily, I don't need something addictive that can send me into a depression o relapse....
Jeshuaschild kay16649
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I believe Drs are ignorant to the side effects as they write so many scripts that they can't possibly keep up
most of my help came from a counselor who dealt with detoxing from gabapentin and I have to tell you if I were you I'd ask for something else
naomi64 kay16649
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Be careful on this drug. I am not sure why your taking it, but I felt the need to get off so I did. It helps some people and some people have no side effects. But for the senitive drug people it does have an effect on us. You might be ok on it. As I always say "Pray first"
KarKar Jeshuaschild
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I was on Gabapentin for aprox. 15 years, while having some allergic reactions to it without knowing it. It has Damaged my body immensely, and my life has drastically changed due to this drug, allergic reaction and withdrawal. Thank God that He is my strength through all of this, to God's glory.
* DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!
kay16649 KarKar
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ShawnD kay16649
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The worst side effect for me is big memory loss and swelling. But for my nerve damage to me its worth it.
naomi64 adam3355
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I WILL PRAY FOR YOU..I AM OFF GP FOR ABOUT A MONTH OR SO, AND I STILL FEEL LIGHT HEADED. I BELIEVE YOU THAT ITS THE GP THAT IS CAUSING THIS. DOCTORS DO NOT UNDERSTAND. SOME PEOPLE HAVE THIS EFFECT AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. GOD CAN HEAL YOU, TRY TO PRAY, FATIH GETS YOU THREW THE HARDEST TIMES. GOD BLESS YOU... NAOMI
naomi64
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Jeshuaschild naomi64
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I agree with everything you say
I couldn't have made it without my faith in God. And doctors don't have a clue
naomi64 Jeshuaschild
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Yes God is my healer. I have a bad neck and had back surgery. That's why i took the GP. Now I am off trying to see what direction God puts me in. I should of prayed before I took this med. I have lots of stress workers comp investigators for a year and withdrawing from this med. Pain in my neck. I am single divorced. I should read a book. Jeshua do you think the dizzyness could be coming from my hereinated disks in my neck too?
KarKar naomi64
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