I've been searching through previous threads trying to find a bit more information on gabapentin but am struggling to find what I need so I hope someone can help.
I have type2/ATN and have been taking amitriptyline for a while. It helps, but not enough so I have also been taking tegretol at a low dose, which also was not enough. I couldn't tolerate a higher dose of tegretol so last Friday I started on gabapentin (I am still taking both the tegretol and the amitriptyline).
I'm taking 900mg (300mg 3 times a day) and am having a lot of side effects. With the tegretol I had some initial side effects which then settled down quite quickly (until I increased the dose). I was expecting something similar with the gabapentin but the side effects seem to be getting worse. For the first couple of days it knocked me out and I was a bit unsteady on my feet, I then started to notice the effects got worse about 2 hours after I took the tablets, with dizziness and a spaced out feeling as well as the unsteadiness. Today I really struggled at work and couldn't concentrate on anything - it got even worse when I had to do any sort of multi-tasking, and I almost felt drunk It got even worse when I left work as I felt really spaced out, and as though my eyes were trying to close, and increasingly unsteady. I rang my boyfriend in a bit of a state as I was supposed to be walking home but I didn't think I could manage the 15 minute walk. My voice sounded really strange to me (and to him - he came out and picked me up).
Now I'm home and lying down so it's not quite so bad but I'm struggling with everything and can't keep my head off the pillow for long (it's making typing very slow!). I'm planning to contact my GP tomorrow but does any of this sound familiar to anyone? If this is normal and likely to settle down soon I'd really like to know!
Yes these are all reported side effects of Gabapentin. Although not everyone has them. 900mg per day does seem a large starting dose. I cannot help but think that a slower taper would have been better. Speak to your Dr and a pharmacist to check that the s/e 's are normal. They are much more extreme than I had and often members acclimate after a while. If you have any concerns it’s always best to let a medical professional help ou with them.
Thanks Jackie. I was told by my GP that what he was giving me was "the way GPs usually prescribe gabapentin", so it's interesting to hear that it's not necessarily what always happens. As my GP is not particularly experienced with TN or medications to treat nerve pain it always helps if I have found out as much as I can before I speak to him.
I started taking Gabapentin this week as well. I was taking 500mg daily of Carbamazapine but needed more pain coverage. My neurologist prescribed the Gabapentin to be taken 300mg three times a day. The first pill I took before bed. I was a bit groggy and dizzy when I awoke. I took the next dose and BAM! I was so sick. Hallucinations, double vision, shakey, dizzy, etc. it was terrible. I called my neurologist who said I was having a bad reaction to the medication and to stop immediately. You didn’t need to tell me twice. Today I still feel preety bad but now at least I think I will survive. He now wants me to take Lyrica but I am pretty scared. Needless to say I feel your pain.
My specialist actually recommended Lyrica rather than gabapentin as in his experience it is "better tolerated". He has found few people report side effects, and the side effects that are reported can be easier to live with - everyone is different in their reactions to the medication, but I hope you get on better with the lyrica.
I tried Tegretol first and could not tolerate it. Then started gabapentin. Started at 300mg/day and gradually over weeks titrated up to 1800 mg/day. Each time I increased the dose, I had the same need to sleep. It always hit me 1 1/2 to 2 hours after taking the drug. After about a week, I adjusted and the sleepiness subsided. However, I have given up driving as I do not trust my mind not to wander. The drugs all have side effects which is why I am having an MVD next week and hoping it works. Good luck to you and I hope you find relief soon.
You sound exactly like I did on the tegratol and gabapatin. Exact same description. When I was o. Just the gabapatin I was fine but when I mixed the tegratol in there I was the mess you are. I myself do not think tegratol and GABA shud be mixed. That’s just my experience. I have had a mvd and am weening off now. My heart goes out to you. I hope you get some help to get this straightened out. Keep us updated. Linda - hugs
Thanks for your comments - it's reassuring to know that this isn't too unusual.
My doctor has said that what I'm experiencing is extreme but they are expected side effects. He also said that he did "drop me in the deep end" with the dose, but has done this before with gabapentin for patients who have a lot of pain as it can help. Based on what I have told him, he is optimistic that things will settle down but it may take a little time. It does seem to be reducing the pain, so I'm going to wait and see if it settles down.
The doctor was great - I rang on Thursday morning and they arranged to fit me in despite having no appointments available. And my doctor saw me as soon as I got there, and will see me again or speak to me over the phone if I am worried or if it seems to be getting worse. The longer term plan, if things do settle down is to gradually get me off the tegretol and increase the gabapentin so I am only taking one.
He has signed me off work so that I am not trying to do too much with this, and things are easier if I can lie in bed with my eyes shut so I can't feel the room spinning! It is a bad time to be out of the office but at the moment I can't get much done anyway.