Gabbapentin Interacion Causing Severe Lethargy

[1955Vark]

I have moderate to severe diabetic neuropathy and have been taking 2,700mg of Gabbapentin daily for 3 years. It has been greatly effective in controlling my nerve pain. The Gabbapentin has always caused mild to moderate drowsiness, dizziness and lethargy but, except for falling occasionally the levels have been tolerable. 2 months ago I began taking 75mg of Venafaxine XR for depression. While the Venafaxine has cleared up a couple of long term problems; I have been extremely cold for many years, this cleared up overnight and my dizziness has lessened, at least I’m haven fallen since beginning it.

The problem is debilitating lethargy. No matter how hard I try, simple things such as going to the bathroom are major, major chores. I am not eating much because most of the time I can’t motivate myself to even make a sandwich. When I saw my doctor after the first month it was suggested that I give it another month. I trying but this is getting ridiculous.

I have just realized the since beginning the Gabbapentin I have had the identical reaction twice before. Both times the reaction was caused by very mild prescription sleeping pills.
The one I recall was Zopiclone 7.5mg.  Ingesting one ½ dose of the Zopiclone would induce this same extreme lethargy and it would take 3 or 4 days to get over it.

I am 57 and not prone to drug interactions, nor do I have any known drug allergies. My misspent youth was marked by large quantities and a vast array of recreational drugs. I  have also had serious alcohol problems throughout my life, I have been clean and sober for 4 years now.

Can anyone shed any light on this? The lethargy has made the most basic functions almost impossible and is intolerable BUT, it is so nice not to spend most of my waking hour under an electric blanket (yes, even on hot summer days with no A/C).

Thank You For Your Time
Mike
Thunder Bay, Ontario

[TheMadMan]

Wow, some of this information is an eye opener. I have be on Gabapentin for about three years since my operations and it does help quiet the nerve pain I experience/Neuropathy. My dosage is 400mg 3x a day but I only take it twice a day. I was on a much heavier dosage years ago but also had a lot of pain medication at the time and it all doped me up.
Anyway, check any INTERACTIONS with this medication first. I have not experienced any lethargy (or I don't remember) but INTERACTIONS can be a cause with this medication. Double check your symptoms with your doctor or find a doctor who understands your symptoms. One too many drugs can really put the body and the mind in a confusion state so watch what your are taking. Good luck.

[orthonightmare]

Hi Mike. Gaba(Neurontin) is also used as a Mood Stabilizer. It is not "officially" noted as one of it's FDA uses, but it has been gaining such a solid backing in drug studies, I suspect that it will become officially named as a Mood Stabilizer in the not to distant future.
To that point, I wonder if it is potentiating(making  more potent) your Venlafaxine. Too much antidepressant cause fatigue, etc., I believe.
I recommend talking w/your prescriber(s) to get clarification about this.

Good luck!

[opus88]

hi Mike.....I too am on gaba and have been for abt 8 yrs for nerve pain. my current dosage is 1800mg. gaba is a strange medication as I've been told by the pain management doctor I was seeing...at times a lower dose will work as good or better than a higher dose. and I can say that was true for me, when I was given a higher dose of 2700mg it DID NO MORE to control the pain and all I got were the side effects, so after a 6 month trial my dosage was lowered back down to the 1800mg. I don't get 100% control, I don't think thats possible, but I can say I have leveled off to approx 80%.
If I were you I would speak to your doctor and try a lower dose for awhile and see how you manage. its not much of a life to be so lethargic that you can't manage the basic functions. Do not attempt this on your own but do speak with the prescribing doctor...good luck♥