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Neurontin (Gabapentin) Side effects? Stomach?

I was just given a script for Neurontin (Gabapentin) from my neurologist. Need to know side effects. Also, how tolerated is this for a persons stomach or digestive track?
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Avatar universal
What is the answer to wb74
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Cab gabapentin cause stomach cramps and constipation?
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Can it cause stomach cramps and constipation?
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my main concern is why is it effecting my blood circulation?
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I was taking gaba for several years for very severe pain attacks rather than ongoing achy pain. I did have achy pain, but believe it was from physical inactivity caused from dealing with the attacks. Through the whole medical process, learned gaba was only thing that controlled my particular attacks. After a few years of not having attacks, couldn't tell if gaba was still keeping pain attacks at bay or if my attacks had gone away. Because I had quite a few side effects with gaba (nothing compared to the pain it prevented), I wanted to see if attacks were gone. Read a lot of med journal studies about it. I was on the highest dosage allowed (4x900), but read that lower dosages interact more intensely than higher dosages for some people, so knew ahead of time that tapering might involve more than withdrawal symptom prevention. I think it was good to know that. I would describe mine as a fast taper. I had weird dreams and some irrational thinking, but didn't have too many physical withdrawal symptoms. Definitely work with doc and tell family when doing it. My feet/ankles reduced in size right away from the foot edema caused by gaba. My eyesight changed, but could have been coincidental. It took about 6-8 months to lose the weight I gained from being on gaba so long. I do a lot of mental work for a living and feel it improved after getting off gaba, but took time after stopping. From reading about others through the years, I think the main point is gaba works differently for every person, and it takes a doc a while to find the right dosage for each person or if gaba will work at all. This takes time because side effects for some people can complicate the fine tuning, along with waiting for each appt so the doc can adjust things. Because of patient pressure, docs don't always get a chance to adjust it properly. It's also common to use a multi pronged approach to pain in the beginning, which can cloud what works and what doesn't. For those reasons, there is a wide gamut of patient perspectives about gaba. I had hand and foot tingling periodically. My gp thought my pain attacks might be neuropathy rather than neuralgia at one point due to the tingling, but after the fact, might have been related to gaba. The tingling never moved upward or was permanent. I would guess the slight foot/hand edema caused by gaba might have caused the tingling. Didn't get it again after stopping gaba. I think because gaba works differently for every person that withdrawal might be different for every person. By the way, my pain attacks were gone.    
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Avatar universal
Hi there, it's great to hear a positive outcome and I hope you continue to go strength to strength. Keep your diet 100 percent clean and stay active! Happiness is key! :).  Can I ask if you stayed on for two years and then came off because you felt better? Or did you come off and feel better as a result of that? I have been taking Gapapentin for about 6 months for post surgery knee pain. Recently I have developed tingling in my fingers and feet and suspect it's a reaction to the Gaba. I'm considering coming off to find out. Can I also ask, did you taper of or come off suddenly?

Kind regards

Duncan
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Avatar universal
Hello, I hope you are still on the forums!
Thank you for responding to my concerns about GABA meds..I am currently taking NONE of them or opiates for pain..I was told my problem was neuropathy pain..it was/is..welllllll!
I saw a neurologist in 2012 as my increasing pain..trigeminal,dysthetic vulvadynia,rectal pudendal nerve pain was getting worse though my pain specialist was increasing gabapentin and opiates..then had taken me from off gabapentin to lyrica....the neurologist added yet another GABA ...the pain was still exploding and my skin was on fire....tripling my opiate dose in 4 months was only making things worse...and I was bedridden....so.....reading about hyperalgesia from Taking more meds caught my eye...I revolted but I think I saved my life!..with my pain specialist's help!..
It took me 9 months to get off all GABA meds and down to 1/10th the opiate dose..
Today, 9 months later I only take excedrine or Tylenol ..I still have pains popping up but not striking jabbing pain....I have opiate meds but I would only take if absolutely necessary short term..something you can't do with GABA meds..
I requested but was not tested for MS or MG because I have no muscle weakness..not an excuse..but I have to use c-pap now and take nuvigil as a sleep study showed sleep apnea with narcolepsy(mild)...I was diagnosed with Autoimmune hypothyroidism in the middle of the pain uprising and am being seen every 4 months by an endocrinologist who has my "numbers" in order but ....my energy, thinning hair, gut problems etc could be from that or my having been on so many meds..
As I gradually took myself off the GABA and opiates my pain had lessened..sharp stabbing pain alleviated.....I could have stopped the opiates much faster than the GABA ...I had tried to stop lyrica in a month but could not so took it slowly..in reading about receptor sites these meds affect....I am lucky to be as active as I am now....I am trying to re-boot my nervous system...
I ask my pain doctor if he would have tried to lower my dose of everything ..when I was so very sick and I never get a straight answer....opiate or GABA  induced hyperalgesia? ..autonomic neuropathy?
I just want better quality life for myself and everybody ! blessings..
  
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7254644 tn?1389587578
Hello and good day!  I just read your post, looking for some info on Gabapentin.  Have you solved your problem yet or gotten a dx?  I have MS.  Have you been checked for it?  
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Avatar universal

Everybody has to tell their respective. Doctors how they feel....and those doctors need to LISTEN!
The drug reps are not doctors......yet tooooooo many doctors rely on questions that the drug reps feel qualified to
Answer.....
The FDA has a phone number to call, and drug.com has a comment section where u can report severe side effects you feel you are getting from any drug.
Too many of the newer meds  side effects  are not reported by the very people that take the medication..


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Avatar universal
On the outside chance someone (like myself!) might be reading this older post looking for info on Gaba: my drug interaction info says to not take any oral magnesium while on Gaba.  I noticed it because I have been using Epsom salts for soaks and wondered if it was also a problem (probably not, but will lay off of them for now).
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Avatar universal
I work for a chiropractor as a Massage Therapist.  I have a severely herniated cervical disc that is causing excrutiating pain in my left neck, shoulder, and down into the arm.  I have been to pain management and got an epidural that lasted all of 4 days, and a Rx for Gabapentin 300mg 3x a day & Percocet 10/325 2x a day.  I was having to take the Gaba once every 2 HOURS to keep ahead of the pain curve, since I can't take Percs while working.  The doc changed the Rx to 600mg of Gaba 4 x a day.  I took 2 before getting in bed for sleep... and I'm noticing a lot of involuntary muscle twitches.  Not spasms, they don't hurt, just a jerk of the leg here, a hand twitch there.  I haven't read any place where that is a side effect, though, so I'm wondering about it.  Anyone else have that issue?

Also, about the constipation thing: look online for a product called Natural Calm; I believe it is manufactured by Natural Vitality.  It is a powdered Magnesium supplement, and it works GREAT for keeping you regular!  I had issueswith constipation when I first started the Percs, but I take about 1 tbsp per night and everything stays moving well.  It is also great for leg cramping; most of us have a magnesium deficiency, and it is hard to find in stores.
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Avatar universal
UPDATE:

I was just tested positive for Lymes disease that I have been walking around with for all this time. I had a PICC line put in and got IV therapy daily for 28 days. Didn't feel any better. Now I have Chronic Lymes which is very hard to treat. ALSO..I was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroidosis(autoimmue destroying my thryoid). Also hypothyroid due to the Hashimoto's. Taking Synthroid now along with my Gabapentin. Have inflammatory arthritis. Now I have to get a lumbar puncture to see if the Lymes went to my brain. Yuk!  My parathesia and gait imbalance probably came from the Lymes but I'm not absolutely sure. My RA Factor is high and my ANA just became low positive.

I have NO idea what's going on with my body!! I'm 59yrs old now and I think I posted here at 57 turning 58.

Thanks everyone!
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144586 tn?1284666164
If you don't mind dropping your IQ a couple of dozen points take the gabapentin.

It works, but then again so does hypnosis, acupuncture and a TENS device.

I think the drug stinks.

But then again, I don't work as a pharmaceutical salesman.
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Avatar universal
I've been on Neurontin/Gappapentin for 2 years and stopped talking it two days ago. Life changing results. I hadn't exercised for nearly 7 years and now, touch wood, my nerve pain is nearly non-exsistant. Your stomach does get s burning feeling while you are on it, particularly if you consume alcohol, resembeling hunger pains. I just made sure I chose healthy options when I could and had small snacks to take the edge off. Granted I'm exercising again, but I lost weight while taking it.
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Avatar universal
Experience from someone using high doses: After going through the gamut for neuro pain attacks, it took getting up to 3600mg/d of gabapentin to get it under control.  At 2400, I still was getting milder attacks. The side effects/negatives for me with gabapentin were much less than muscle relaxers, SSRI’s, epitol, pain meds, trigger point injections, topical combinations, lidocaine patches, etc.   I believe gabapentin caused my feet to slightly swell to where I use diabetic socks to keep from cutting off circulation and getting cold feet.  My vision changes anytime the dosage of gabapentin is changed, so I have had to update glasses almost every dosage change.  Noticed certain fluorescent lights take time to adjust to, but can't say if it is connected to gaba.  Initially when on 300mg/d, I learned if I skipped gaba a couple days, I would go through the adjustment side effects of dizziness, etc. all over again the next time I took it.  Even though it says to stay away from grapefruit and maybe other citrus while on gaba, I also discovered that drinking Squirt and some other popular clear sodas with citrus will greatly interact with gaba and cause a feeling of being slightly drunk (they should mention grapefruit AND Squirt on the insert and the neurontin website because people don't think of grapefruit with sodas).  I have gained about 15 pounds either from inactivity or gaba or both over the last two years.  I have extreme gerd/acid reflux and gaba doesn't seem to bother me, but have noticed PPI's, ranitidine, sucralfate, and other digestive meds do give me some of their listed side effects.  I take gaba with and without food and doesn't seem to bother me.  Pertaining to all meds, certain gerd meds may block the amount of dosage absorbed, so a person with gerd can get the side effects of changing gaba dosages if not timing when meds are taken. I have had multiple pneumonias, but can't say gaba was a factor, because my pain is/was at such a level, I wasn't able to breath deeply to keep my lower lobes in use, so fluid could pool for infections.  I am a computer programmer and have to admit, I cannot do those 25 step calculations in my head anymore. I think my concentration regained somewhat after a long term adjustment to the dosage.  My creatine and bun have been good. I am sure side effects are different for each person, but gabapentin allows me to get back some of my life.  
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
The most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of Neurontin in adults are dizziness, somnolence, and peripheral edema. But it does affect the whole body . The effects on digestive system are – diarrhea , constipation , flatulence , nausea and vomiting . For complete information, please visit - http://www.rxlist.com/neurontin-drug.htm. Hope this helps you . Take care and regards !
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Avatar universal
A high dose can make you feel really dopey, especially if you have not eaten for a couple hours.
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Avatar universal
I have been on Gabapentine for over 4 yrs and I must say that I have very slight side effects. I have been taking it for lower back pain (tethered cord) and neuro pains. It has been helping manage the pain.

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681148 tn?1437661591
I have peripheral neuropathy.  I had bad reactions to Neurontin when I took the higher doses of it.  So, the doctor prescribed it at 100 mg doses that can be taken up to four times a day for the peripheral neuropathy.  A friend of mine warned me that Neurontin can be dangerous.  And, if you're changing meds, you should not abruptly stop taking Neurontin.  It needs to be tapered down and through directions from the prescribing doctor.  I am very sensitive to meds, so I took my friend's advice seriously.

Recently, someone told me about a supplement called Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA).  I bought some that came in 300 mg doses.  The maximum amount that can be taken in one day is 600 mg.  I noticed a difference in the amount and severity of the peripheral neuropathy I experience when I took this supplement twice a day.  I told my PCP that I was taking this supplement instead of the Neurontin and she is fine with it.  She works in a clinic that has graduates of the natural health university doing their internships in the rooms that are not exam rooms for the conventional doctors.  So, she has heard of this supplement and knew what it was for.  It hasn't gotten rid of all of the neuropathy, but it has taken care of the debilitating waves of the neuropathy.

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Avatar universal
So glad to hear others that can't remember anything after being on Gab.  Being 70, I was beginning to think I had Alzheimers!!!

I am completely active - work every day - real estate and sale of hair combs imported from South Africa.  But just today talking on the phone with a friend it seemed I could not remember every other word.

You have eased my fears

Thank you!!

Barbara101
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Avatar universal
Wow!  I was beginning to think it was just me.  Normally I take a small dose of omaprazole (Prilosec brand name) and everything fine.  I started Nuerontin (generic brand - I'm on medicare and can't afford the brand name of any drugs except my Advair which is absolutely necessary) about 3 months ago and have had to sleep sitting up all night - so with your history I cannot imagine you will find this medication does not further irritate your stomach problems.

Barbara 101
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Avatar universal
Does Neurontin cause weight gain? Also, I'm SOOOO scared it's going to mess up my kidneys.
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Avatar universal
May I suggest that if any of you folks are taking several medications at one time, irregardless of the sequence or length of time, that you check ALL of them for various side effects.  Lori, you mentioned you've always had constipation...I hope you have followed the usual rules for how to eat to make waste pass easier: water, exercise, and fiber.  Altho your conditions have snowballed so badly that a systemic disease is probably at work in you.  Finally, for all, not everyone does well with Neurontin or its cousins, and yet it is indeed prescribed and successfully for all sorts of discomfort, sensitivities, anything to do with nerve pain.  So, since not all meds work for all conditions, if it doesn't work for you or you are suspicious of it, then ask for something else.  For me, it is a miracle drug...I literally could not get out of bed for months, and then after just one pill of Lyrica, I woke up the next morning with NO PAIN.  So, naturally I'm gonna stick up for it, been on it for years.  But everyone is different.  I hope all of you find comfort and good treatment to help you thru your very disastrous medical problems.  I gotta bunch too and it drives me nuts sometimes.    
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Avatar universal
I am on Gabapentine- I have headaches everyday! They dont help the pain. I fall asleep driving, I forget everything. I have givin it over 5 month's and I need to get off it.

I was told about Zomig. for headaches. So I am going back to the Doc. Again( I have an icecream pale full of medicine ) loads of money spent, nothing works, I am getting very scared for my health.  I am 42 and had head and neck pain for 7 year's now. Nobody seem's to be able to help me out.
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