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Scary Gabapentin side effects

Posted , 28 users are following.

Meganpooch
Meganpooch

Hello all

I started taking Gabapentin for a nerve problem in my foot in November 2015 starting at 300mg and working up to 900mg over 6 weeks. At the end of May this stopped having an effect so the doctor doubled the dose - again increasing in 2 weekly amounts. I stopped at 1200mg as this was working for me and still does now.

However, i have had some pretty nasty side effects. The headaches i can cope with (having been on Prozac for depression for nearly 8 years i had them with that too). Loss of appetite and flatulence were okay too.

I've had foot swelling and anxiety attacks - not okay but the latest episode really scared me. I was walking to the shops and felt my balance going (this happens anyway because of spinal problems) but then i had a terrifying spinning sensation and had to grab a post and couldn't let go. The episode lasted for about 5 minutes but seemed much longer. Fortunately i had a friend with me. He said i looked okay. I know this is one of the possible side effects. Has anyone else experienced this?

I will be making a doctor appointment tomorrow. 

1 like, 95 replies

95 Replies

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  • gregg_55006
    gregg_55006 Meganpooch

    Posted

    lcheesygrin Hi Meganpooch. Very similar to You in all respects.

    First dose. Blew my head off and it was only 75mg. In Hospital

    At the time, next scheduled doseI refused I to take it. This made the

    Nurse a little offside? Spinning falling loss of balance and after major 

    Fractures of my (L) tibia and fibular my balance was already terrible.

    Ended up with foot drop and an AFO leg brace to boot.

    Now my lack of appetite has added to a type of anorexia I had already also.

    What to do next is my main concern?

    Continue on at 1200mg or try to lower the dose?

    The underlying nerve pain caused by the two fasciotomies in my (L) leg

    Performed to save a possible amputation situation may be healed enough

    After 21 months of rehab. The masking of other problems that are not diagnosed because the Neurontin are covered up this way.

    We talk about side effects now We are experiencing problems,

    Explaining this prior to taking the drug was possibly mentioned to Me

    in Hospital. At that time I was in no state clearly understand everything that was happening. Relying on My Wife to help Me and trusting that My Doctors and Specialists knowledge and experience.

    Again what to do next/?

    Thank You All.

    Any advice.

    Gregg. Sydney Australia.

  • Meganpooch
    Meganpooch

    Posted

    Hi there everybody. I hope you are all surviving. An update on my progress since ceasing taking Gabapentin. My appetite still hasn't returned, i still get bad headaches virtually every day although the reason for these may not be related and i still get occasional bouts of the horrible spinning sensation but minor ones compared to when i was on Gabapentin.

    It was unforgivable that my doctor refused to let me reduce my dose in less than 300mg doses but he has now emigrated so i have a new doctor. So. in brief, i continue to have the side effects but to a lesser degree to when i was on Gabapentin. I stopped taking it in October 2016.

    Keep strong people and best wishes.

    • gregg_55006
      gregg_55006 Meganpooch

      Posted

      With this stuff do you have a side effect of itches? When I wake in the morning I just have to get up and take meds and wait for the drugs to control it. Upper body back arms horrible. 
  • melody_78749
    melody_78749 Meganpooch

    Posted

    Glad your still surviving. sorry your still suffering from the side effects. The best thing I did was toss the Gaba in the trash can after a week. My hand feels like it's in a vice all the time and keeps me awake at night. But I can still function Get a nerve conduction test March 1st, maybe they will be able to fix the blasted hand.

  • sue_41620
    sue_41620 Meganpooch

    Posted

    I had a bad spell on gabapentin 300 mg yesterday my doctor told me to start taking 2 pills in the morning so I did and by the 1:30p.m. Got here I was dizzy and vomiting and before I could get over that I couldn't see anything anymore and I thought I would die before it was over with. I was at my neighbors house and he had to talk me home because I couldn't see or talk on my own freewill if that isn't enough I kept having the spells like that for a couple hours. I'm better today but I'm so weak I don't feel like a real person anymore. I don't have any ideas what to do. But I know I want be taken any more of that medication if it causes all of this mess I have enough health problems with out adding some more to the mix.

    • elizabeth2244
      elizabeth2244 sue_41620

      Posted

      hi sue 

      i was only taking 100 mg at bedtime yesterday at work i became very dizzy, feeling like i was going to faint my face looked really pale. 

      I was only taking it for a week stopped it when i went into the hospital on April 22 then went back on it last week. 

      i notice signs of weakness feeling like i am going to fall out and just not steady on me feet. 

      I can not take this and some one thinks i should increase my dose no way. If 100mg is bothering me than a higher dose will too 

       

    • gregg_55006
      gregg_55006 sue_41620

      Posted

      Hi, I went up from 600mg to 1200mg daily. Horrible so I went back to 600mg. The thing was my chemist who is over the top said 'You must take them Doctor said so? Hey, it's MY body. Good luck Sue.

  • Trumolabby3
    Trumolabby3 Meganpooch

    Posted

    Hi I was put on  gabapentin 7 months ago for my back pain caused by a road traffic accident some 6 years ago. My doctor started off gradually until I was eventually on 900mgs. In. Less than 4 months I had gained 11lbs in weight. My right hand had spasms and I can no longer write with any eligibility! My ankles have swollen and my blood pressure raised! When I saw my GP about two months ago I was told no pain and weight gain or pain!! I have now weaned myself off of this nasty drug and took my last tablet yesterday. For the past 3 weeks as I have been weaning myself off, I have felt so ill. Tired all of the time, tears. Feeling of depression although I have never had depression but am assuming this is what I am experiencing. At one point i convinced myself I was dying!! Every night I go to bed and don't want to wake up! I have read this forum which has made me feel a lot better as I know I am not the only one suffering from this evil medicine!! I hope gradually I will feel better as I am convinced I am in withdrawal.

    • melody_78749
      melody_78749 Trumolabby3

      Posted

      They wanted to put me on that crap. After a few weeks of no results as far as relief and thoughts of driving my car over a cliff I thew it in the trash. I have finally convinced the doctor to do a nerve releif on my elbow and carple tunnel. I have surgery in a few weeks. All is well with me now.
  • elizabeth2244
    elizabeth2244 Meganpooch

    Posted

    Yes i have and i am only taking 100mg for a few weeks i am not going to take it any more because my anxieties have been bad and i really got dizzy at work after taking my metformin and ativan 

    i was not on it longer so stopping it should not hurt me

     

    • Trumolabby3
      Trumolabby3 elizabeth2244

      Posted

      Yes I think because of the low dosage maybe take one alternate days for a week rather than just stop the . This is a very powerful drug so I wouldn't take any chances, hope you feel better soon. I have stopped taking gabapentin for almost a week and still getting over it but getting there now. Sylvia

    • elizabeth2244
      elizabeth2244 Trumolabby3

      Posted

      how can you cut it down when the lowest dose is 100mg and i was only on 100mg at bedtime for a week, 

      I have been resting all day called in sick to work today. 

      When i take it it causes me to much symptoms i just can't take this drug the side effects has made me sick to where i just don't want it any more 

       

    • Trumolabby3
      Trumolabby3 elizabeth2244

      Posted

      Yes I know how you feel. I was on 900mgs a day then gradually reduced it over a month. I don't suppose it will matter too much if you stopped taking it now. I am sure if you saw your GP they will advice you. Good luck sylvia

    • elizabeth2244
      elizabeth2244 Trumolabby3

      Posted

      i feel less anxiuos today but i am worried what if this happens again tomorrow at work can not always go home sick 
    • Trumolabby3
      Trumolabby3 elizabeth2244

      Posted

      If you are worried about taking Gabapentin go to see your GP as there is another sister tablet that you maybe able to try. Obviously I am not a doctor and each person is different and take the Gabapentin for many different reasons. sylvia
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