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Potential Long Term Effects Of Gabapentin

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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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  • JoyfulPeace15
    JoyfulPeace15 adam3355

    Posted

    I would like. Also. My son has been on 900 mg.of gabapentin daily and is going on two years. I've noticed a lot of mood swings. Last year he had a near suicide attempt but he said it was primarily due to bullying. He is on10mg of Ecitilapram for his depression. HE suffers from NF and as several tumors in his neck ND pine lags ND arms hay I'll forever cause him excruciating pain. what are the pros and cons in him continuin to take his GP medication?

    • KarKar
      KarKar JoyfulPeace15

      Posted

      This is not a good medication. Trust me, get him off it by tapering per doctor soon.
    • ShawnD
      ShawnD JoyfulPeace15

      Posted

      Hi Molly,

      the reactions to gaba always depend on the person unfortunately. I can tell you my pros and cons if you wish.

      I broke my back but had 2 surgeries and am much better. But I now have massive nerve damage in my left side. Without gaba I feel like I am full of fluid and swollen painfully. Im not though. I have random spikes of pain that catch me off guard. 

      On Gaba (norm dose for me is 1600 mg a day) everything is almost gone. I just have small discomforts but am on a high dose so do have alot of side effects. Short term I had some swelling that (actual swelling in mouth) comes and goes. Mood swings arnt there for me. Weight gain due to water retention. Long term I suffer from memory loss. Thats all for me. I do know though that the big issues for me will be if I ever stop or switch to a new drug. My body is massively dependant on the drug and suicidal depression will be huge as a withdrawl symptom. 

      that though is my experience for my issues. I may have forgotten some things for this, if I remember I will post again. I hope I helped.

  • ray99209
    ray99209 adam3355

    Posted

    i've been on gaba for several yrs, up to 1800 mgm a day. i am getting off by SLOW reduction of dosage. 300 mgm  morning & night for several months,

    then 300 at night for severayl months, then 150 mgms in morning for months, then 75 mgms. eventually you'll be okay. they gave me a antidepressant during all this. gabba will cause serious depression if you quit too quickly. good luck. gaba is bad, bad stuff, IMO.

  • marykat
    marykat adam3355

    Posted

    Yes doctors won't acknowledge the horrible w/d effects of this medication!! Everyone reacts differently...everything should go away..look into a magnesium supplement...

  • Jeshuaschild
    Jeshuaschild adam3355

    Posted

    Hopefully you didn't go off cold turkey.

    But I was on 1200-1800 mg a day for 30 days

    Went gradually off with Doctor's instructions on tapering. Last pill was July 18

    It was very difficult at first w depression etc

    But it does get better

    I was blessed to find a counselor who had experience with Gabapentin long term effects

    Don't give up, maybe try to find another counselor

    Cold turkey is not good

    This medication can really mess with us

    • naomi64
      naomi64 Jeshuaschild

      Posted

      I think I found a way to get less dizzy Jeshua...I think this drug makes the senitivity level of sodium higher to ones body.  Meaning if your allow to have 2,000 mg per day, we need to only have 1,000 mg..I been cutting on sodium and feeling better. But when I have too much like the normal amounts I feel very dizzy.. We should try it.. 

      Naomi

  • KarKar
    KarKar adam3355

    Posted

    Their should be a class action suit regarding this drug.
    • naomi64
      naomi64 KarKar

      Posted

      I agree because people that are senitive take this drug differently.  They have to include it on lables. Plus doctors don't know enough either.

  • nicola_88872
    nicola_88872 adam3355

    Posted

    Hi I'm just wondering if you have found anything out about after affects of taken gabapentin cause I taken it in the past and I'm wondering if it can leave you with after affects? Thanks

  • sandra07610
    sandra07610 adam3355

    Posted

    I have been on Gabapentin 300 mg for four years. Yes at times, I forget things but I have had four joint replacements, severe arthritis and a transplanted finger. When I think of the pain I have had and the increase of restless legs/arms, this is a little inconvenience. I have noticed that walking on a flat surface also helps and I am up to 1.5 miles daily. It has dropped my dosage and movement seems to make fibromyalgia nod arthritis better. I see a wonderful rheumatologist. When I first started I was on opioids and that is like being in a cloud. Iam70 years old and I was depressed until I changed my life style which included loosing weight and eating better. I think it all goes together. I have a heart pacer and other heart problems. So some days are not as good as others but all days include better food, a lot of water and walking. I am so much better than I was. Talk to your specialist about it. Keep a diary of your days and a list of questions. Good luck.
  • sandra07610
    sandra07610 adam3355

    Posted

    I have been on Gabapentin 300 mg daily for 6 years and I do not have any of the side effects described. A lot can happen when you use this intermittent and not as prescribed. The doctors warn you about it. But when you have fibromyalgia with horrible pain, you really learn to listen and take as prescribed. There was a time I took higher doses but the doctor has weaned me to this dose. I think that the fact that you stated "off and on" may have a lot to do with the symptoms you are describing. All I know is nothing else works, not therapy, massage or additional exercise. Even though I do it all.

    • sandra07610
      sandra07610

      Posted

      Just to clarify, I was on Gabapentine for six years .the first two years were a higher dose, the last four is 300. Yes I do everything else but the pain is there and never goes away without the gabapentin. It is hell but the things I listed do help to make it better so I can stay at a lower dose. Just don't stop and start it.

  • Jeshuaschild
    Jeshuaschild adam3355

    Posted

    I only took for a month and tapered with dr

    Was on 1200-1800 a day for 30 days

    She tapered with 300 mg 2x a day for 3 days and then 300 once a day for 3 days

    And it was hell for week one

    Symptoms like your describing for a long time after

    The last pill was July 18 and I'm just now beginning to have an occasional normal day now and it's December

    Still trouble sleeping and depression sneak in but so much better than June July and August

    I'd say see your doctor ASAP

    Benadryl helped me sleep at night occasionally

    But definitely keep dr informed although not many Drs are aware of the extent of long range effects

    I ended up finding a counselor who had withdrawal experience with Gabapentin and she was my salvation

  • Davisj
    Davisj adam3355

    Posted

    I stumbled upon this because I've always had a suspiscion that gaba had some correlation to memmory loss. I started taking gaba 3 years ago starting off with 100mg 3 times a day. My doctor perscribed it for anxiety which it worked perfectly at first. But the reason it worked so well was that my mind wasnt working as it should.  The most I was taking was 1800/day. During my college classes I felt like I couldnt comprehend or remember what the teacher was saying. My mind felt so slow and foggy that I could not think straight. 

    I drew a blank on what I was going to say(ironic right?). Anyways it doesnt look like this has been used in over a year but would love an update on how the memory loss has been.

    • Davisj
      Davisj

      Posted

      oopps didnt see that this is still active 
    • naomi64
      naomi64 Davisj

      Posted

      Hi Davis

      I went of Gabapentin for 4 months stoped 2 and a half months ago and I felt dizzy on it and still get dizzy and anxious.  I don't know if its  vertigo, but what I am saying I think it takes some time to feel better when you get off this horrible drug.  Did you have memory problems before?  I hope this drug does not cause this side effects for the rest of our life.  Let me know what you find out. I am sorry I can't help. I am in the same boat.  Naomi

    • Davisj
      Davisj naomi64

      Posted

      No, nothing out of the ordinary. But when I was on gaba I just felt like a zombie
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