Suffering With Gabapentin

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I began taking Gabapentin for terrible nerve pain, tingling, and numbness in both legs, from the thigh to the knee, particularly when I'm lying down. I also feel one arm go completely numb when I keep it raised for any period of time. Example: holding up my Kindle to read, or my phone to play Words With Friends. My internist prescribed it for me after I told him the pain was unbearable, and keeping me up at night. The side effects began once I had titrated up to my full dose of 300 mg., 3 times a day, for a total of 900 mg. The side effects were terrible. The dizziness and double vision got worse and worse with each passing day. Some days I was terribly nauseous, and most of the time, towards evening, I developed a raging headache. There were days I knew it was unsafe to drive. I have Graves' disease which affects my eyes, but my thyroid has completely leveled off. I suffer from double vision, which is known as diplopia, as well as blurred vision. These symptoms come and go, and after 10 eye specialists, an MRI and CAT scan, I finally found a Graves' doc who helped me. I feel better at this time. The last thing I needed was Gabapentin to cause the same symptoms. I have been on this medication for about a month. The headache seems to have gotten a little better, and the dizziness comes and goes. I'm reeling as I write this. There's always a feeling of disorientation. A few days ago when I woke up I was so nauseous that I had to run to the bathroom and I threw my guts up. It was violent, and was just bile. I was so miserable. I thought the symptoms were finally wearing off, but it varies from day to day. The headache is less frequent. It's always worse when I first take the pills, and I always take them with food. This past weekend I was absolutely physically exhausted. On top of it all I have terrible short-term memory loss. I find myself saying stuff like 'what do you call it?' about the simplest thing. I would get off the stuff if it hadn't given me tremendous relief from my nerve pain and numbness, and it helps me sleep. I've always had trouble sleeping, so since it's helping with that I'm just sticking it out, dealing with the side effects in the hopes that it will finally level off.

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1

Hello, Hilarie! How are you doing? Has there been any change?

There is another option available, Pregabalin, it is in the same drug class, so it may help you without causing such severe side effects. It is an option you can speak to your doctor about trying, if you'd like.

The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, mood swings, and weight changes.

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2

Thanks for your reply. I know about this other drug, but the side effects are similar. I lost 73 pounds six years ago, and the Gabapentin hasnt caused weight gain. I'm a size six, and plan to stay that way. Some days are better than others, so I'll stuck it out some more. Thanks again!

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3

Two months later, i have two days left till I'm finally off this poison. I have barely left the house for the past two months. The symptoms just kept getting worse and worse and worse. I have been titrating down for the past three weeks, and have two more days. I have never been through anything like this in my entire life. I will never take medication again without doing careful research. I don't know how long the withdrawl will last once I have finished taking the pills. Good luck everyone and happy holidays.

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4

It's now January 10th, and I'm still ill! I've been fully weaned off the gaba for about a month. The side effects are gradually lessening, but are still very much present. I don't know how long it will take to get back to normal. I completely missed the holidays, being too sick for any socializing. I'm just hanging in as there are no other options, and praying that it will end sooner, rather than later.

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5

I hear ya. Going though it all as we speak. I'm also wondering when and if I'll be the same.

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6

From what you ALL have said, this tells me NOT to take the gabapentin. Doc will need to find something else. I can not wean off 16 ears of generic xanax with this stuff. I have a heart condition also, and this will really mess me up. Thanks

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7

Everyone does well on it from all I have heard...except me. One neurologist said in 40 years of practice he's never seen a withdrawal reaction. Well, hello, here I am. 4 neuro tests, all fine. EEG etc. went to Endocrinologist, 'cause I have Graves' Opthalmopathy...thyroid numbers are perfect. Finally getting some relief. Nausea comes and goes. Exhausted all the time. Heart races at times. Docs say take Xanax since I also have bad reactions to all SSRIs. So, get me hooked on a benzo? No thanks! Next week seeing a pharmacist who is a homeopathic nutritionist, as well. He's free, smart, will work along regular docs and here's hoping he can shed light. Someone mentioned adrenal fatique. This guy will know about that. So, I'm leaving no stone unturned...

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8

It's now March 12th. I went to a pharmacist/homeopathic nutritionist. I wish I had thought of him sooner. He put me on magnesium malate, a Bach flower compound, and something called Relax to the Max. There is GREAT improvement! The tachycardia is almost gone! I've seen him twice and he wants me to go to a doctor for a specific list of blood work. He's suspecting adrenal fatigue. Too much cortisol, (adrenaline), also perhaps my body is not making enough of its own GABA. The ups and downs with the gabapentin may have fooled the body into thinking it had enough GABA. I'm trying...

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