Gabapentin Side Effects?

Updated

I started taking Gabapentin 300mg daily 4 days ago and last night had some strange side effects. The first night I took it right before bed so had no side effects, but was very groggy in the morning. The next two nights I had this almost drunk feeling come over me, almost exactly 2 hours after taking the pill both nights. I was mentally impaired but had a kind of heavy head feeling and some slight tingling as I would if I were to drink. It passed and I was fine. Then yesterday I woke up pain free for the first time, and took the med for the fourth night and like clock work 2 hours later that feeling came over me again. Then I got double vision, trouble concentrating, talking a ton, feeling very uppity. Then I got this hot tingling down my back starting at the base of my skull down to my shoulders and slowly down the rest of my body. I freaked out, I have never felt anything like it before. I then had a very difficult time concentrating slightly slurred speech( that passed quicky thankfully) and a very calm feeling, which was apparent by the fact that I didn't freak out at not being able to read anything or remember details of things or what I was talking about. I looked up the Gabapentin immediately ( before the vision worsened) and saw that it was all side effects of the Gabapentin. Most of them were supposedly rare and it seemed I had almost all of them. For the first time in so long I'm not in unbearable pain, I feel alive when I wake up and I don't want to have to stop taking this medication. But I am concerned about these side effects. They passed after about an hour or two and I'm fine today. Any body else have this happen to them? I plan to message the doctor tomorrow but wanted some input from those who actually take this medication.

19 Replies

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1

Hello, Jane! How are you? I'm very sorry about the symptoms you've experienced.

Actually, there is a similar medication you may want to ask your doctor about to see if it works for you, without causing such side effects. It's called Lyrica and contains the active ingredient Pregabalin.

The FDA also classifies it as an anticonvulsant that can help with certain types of nerve pain and the common side effects are similar, they may include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, mood swings and weight changes.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

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2

Thank you. The next night I had no side effects the light drunkeness barely kicked in and stopped almost as soon as it started. Thank you

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3

Hello, I just posted about this also. I have only taken one pill but think I may go off. Calling my dr in a few hours. I have a VERY heavy head feeling and also feel drunk and unsteady when standing and it was hard to even pour my hubby's coffee. I also have a scar from an accident from the base of my skull to the top of my head and for awhile it hurt along with my neck pretty bad. Not as many electric like shocks but I don' think this is worth it and I am terrified of the withdrawls. Can you please keep me update on your side effects. I am very curious also and I hope you get to feeling better...even for a while :)

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4

The side effects went away all together after that. Unfortunately so did the therapeutic benefits I was experiencing. I'm hoping upping the dosage will help. It especially helped with the way I slept at night and woke in the morning. For the first time in my life even if for only a short time I felt normal. I see my dr again this Friday.

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5

I took 3 300 mg of gabapentin 1 pill each day the first day I felt better then I have since my back injury. The second day I felt very emotional an short of breath and hot flashes . The third day the symptoms was the same as the second day only worse. So I stopped taking them . I have been off gabapentin 6 days now with no relieve of the the symtoms. How long will this last I have been to emergency room an family Dr. They don't know help I'm scared I'm 29 yrs. Old

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6

Same thing almost with me too with Gab. It made me so jittery I could not sleep at all.
Felt strange taking it too. Personality changes I guess. Same thing with Lyrica. But that one also made my blood pressure go up to 190 over 120.

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7

I couldn't handle it either. My Dr. prescribed it for neuropathy. He tried to prescribe it to me again and I said "It makes me feel weird" and he said "Oh, come on now" like I was imagining it. I'm looking for another Dr. now. I just didn't feel right when I was taking it.

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8

I went to see a neurosurgeon. They can identify exactly what is wrong. An MRI of your entire spine needs to be done and then bring the CD to the neurosurgeon to look at directly. Most general practitioners will look at the MRI results on paper only. Its important also to get a second opinion when it comes down to any surgery. Hope this helps.

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9

I have had severe swelling recently. I didn't even think about it being from the neurotin! Now I'm having very rapid heart rate. I take 800 mg 4 x day. I'm calling my doctor. I just wanted to add that I even worse swelling with Lyrica. I had extreme swelling of my face. I wonder if someone swells from one will they do the same with the other?

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10

I took two Gabapentin last night to help me sleep and this morning my pupils in my eyes are huge and I am dizzy and disoriented. How long will this last in my system? Thank you.

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11

I am a 42 year old man who is diabetic. My doctor asked me to use gabapentin 300mg & methylcobalamin 500mg. Could gabapentin cause swollen legs?

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12

Can gabapentin cause leg pain? I take 4 capsules of gabapentin (300mg) per day. I have been having severe pain in the muscle in my thigh to the point I can hardly walk. Sometimes in my right leg but mostly my left.

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13

After taking gabapentin for 7 days I began to feel dizzy, tired and the worst is double vision till now, 8 days after my last dose. My question is, will my vision be restored back to normal as it was before taking gabapentin? I need an answer please.

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14

I accidentally overdosed on Gabapentin and Zoloft. Now I'm feeling very confused and disoriented. I feel like I'm moving in slow motion. Help me please.

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15

I have taken 4 x 300mg (1200mg) of gabapentin. Is this too much? I'm worried now that I may be ill.

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16

Has anyone experienced an itching or tingling sensation from taking Gabapentin? My husband is in extreme discomfort, he wants to smash his head from the uncomfortable feeling he has.

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17

A friend of mine has started taking gabapentin and is only sleeping for short periods. Is this normal?

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18

I’ve been taking gabapentin for 6 weeks. I take 3 capsules per day, 300mg per pill. I take this medication for Trigeminal Neuralgia. I woke up yesterday and I have the nerve pain back. I can’t drink or eat. What should I do? When this first started, I lost 20 lbs. I can’t lose anymore. Help?

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19

What are some of the side effects of Gabapentin?

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