Gabapentin and drowsiness

[Legend2015]

Question for everyone....I am taking Gabapentin for "permanent" sciatic nerve damage. The Gabapentin works great, aside from the fact that I get brain fog and drowsiness. This drug separates me from pain, however, makes me a zombie! Does anyone know of a drug or supplement that I can take with the Gabapentin to combat the somnolence?

[Wobby65]

You really should begin a new thread. Most members won't look here unless they are interested in the topic of neurontin. Is your doctor looking further into the cause of your pain?

[anna11081976]

Hello,  I am a 38 year old female.  I have bad back pain ( anywhere in back), shoulder pain and pain in right breast (normally in the same area)  Have had some blood tests done and it did come back that i was b12 deficient.  Not too sure what would be causing all the pain though.  Also have ringing in the ears

[Wobby65]

My doctor doesn't even prescribe neurontin anymore. I was on it for a short time years ago, and when I asked my dr about it on my first visit with him, he said it "makes people stupid" lol. It did make me a little "slow" if I recall. I believe Lyrica is a "newer version" of neurontin, but not sure if the side-effects are any less.

[superpest]

how long have you been on it? i found after e4/5 days it worked on the pain and just helped me sleep solidly for 5-7hrs. my dose is 3x300mg i suspect yours must be more,dont know of any supplement but do believe there are other drugs that work on nerve pain. sorry i cant help. do wish you well

[philnoir]

Gabapentin is a class of drug known as a GABA analogue. GABA is an abbreviation for gaba-amino-butiryc-acid, a chemical neurotransmitter that helps induce sleep in the brain.

GABA also reduces nerve impuses, which is why it works for neuropathic pain.

While gabapentin is not GABA, it mimics its action, and creates drowsiness.The side effects are dose dependent, so please report your side effects and ask your doctor for help. Perhaps a reduced dose might help you with the drowsiness. Perhaps another medication, pregabalin, might be more effective with less side effects.

Talk to your doc.

[remar]

Yes, from what I've read about this medication is can cause drowsiness.
You may want to talk to your Dr about decreasing your dose, if that's even a possibility. I'm sorry but I don't know of anything you can take to help with the drowsiness. This is another thing you can talk to your Dr about.