Gabapentin (Neurontin)

[goofysmom1]

For those of you who take Gabapentin (Neurontin):  Just curious what side effects you have experienced (and at what dosage), and how long they lasted?  I just started this last weekend, 300mg once a day at bedtime.  I am having a really hard time waking up in the morning and for the first half of the day I feel a little "loopy" or my head feels "swimmy"....if that makes any sense.....

My Internist warned me that I may feel tired/groggy in the morning, but that it should go away after a week or so.

Thanks for any input...

Chrisy

[goofysmom1]

Thanks for your input - I am really trying to fight the feelings of discouragement right now.  I was so excited to FINALLY have someone address my symptoms - even if they still don't know what is causing them - and to be feeling so crummy after only a few days of the medication...

I hope that the next couple of days are better...and that easing into a lower dose is less symptomatic!  Lord knows none of us need more symptoms to deal with!!!  :)


Take care,
Chrisy

[Sarahsmom46]

The nurse sounds like she is on the ball.  I don't know why, but doctor's prescribing these meds for neuropathic pain start patients on doses that are just toooo high.  

See how you do the next couple of days and then get the nurses' suggestion on which "lower" dose you could try next.  

Your body will get used to it, but easing into it is worth the extra time it takes to get the pain control versus the yucky side effects we get from being on the wrong starting dose.

Hang in there. The meds will really help.

Julie

[goofysmom1]

So the Nurse just called back & said that what I am experiencing may be side effects from the Gabapentin.  She recommended that I stop taking it for the next couple of days & see if the symptoms get better.  I am to call back Friday to let them know.

She said that I may need to start at a lower dose to allow my body to adjust.

We shall see what happens over the next couple of days....

Chrisy

[goofysmom1]

Like you I am wondering if my sudden worsening of symptoms is due to the Gabapentin.  I have called my doctor to ask - just spoke to the nurse & she is asking the doctor and will be calling back shortly.

I will let you know what I hear.

Chrisy

[PastorDan]

I know that my balance and vision problems, my most annoying and most persistent symptoms, have been substantially worse this week, plus I am so groggy I'm afraid I'll hit my head on the desk when I finally can't take it any more.  This is supposed to go away in a couple of weeks?

[goofysmom1]

Bumping this up for Quix - it looks like everyone that responded is titrating up to some higher dosage, but my Internist did not do it that way.  I am taking 300 mg every night until I see her in 4 weeks.  Is that unusual?

Also, have any of you noticed that when you began taking Gabapentin that your symptoms worsened initally,  or that it induced a flare or maybe a pseudo flare?

I woke up in the middle of the night last night with a raging headache (which is one of my symptoms) and today I am home with a number of my "typical" symptoms - my left arm is tingling, tired beyond belief, my left side of my face is numb...

Just wondering if this is coincidence or if the meds caused a flare?

Thanks
Chrisy