I am starting gabapentin tonight, how serious is the weight gain and "word finding" issues?

I've been on gabapentin for years, various doses, for chronic migraine and nerve pain. At one time I was taking 1600mg per day. The cognitive challenges were too severe and I took myself down to 800mg per day. I still have aphasia (can't find the right words) and memory issues but not as bad. I would love not to appear stupid anymore but I fear being in more pain than I already am. If you have nerve pain, unfortunately this drug is a highly recommended option.

Hello , I’ve been on gabapentin for nearly a year in a half and instantly gained over 40 pounds! It’s crazy but true also the brain fog problem is tremendously effecting my moods and how I process to say words. I’ve always wondered why my legs and ankles are swollen and just researching it’s a side effect on gabapentin! I take it for occipital neuralgia with migraines but weening myself off this drug due to side effects!
I know it’s going to be a drastic change cause before taking it I use to suffer with nerve pain all day. Here we go... will update my experience soon.

My experience with the medicine is headaches, nausea, and you really do not care if you eat or not. So weight gain is no t a problem. Take 300mg. At bedtime and you will sleep well.

I have word finding difficulties and memory issues on Gabapentin. However, some tell me it’s not a side effect of Gabapentin. So who knows. I tried coming off it for that reason but my depression got worse. It helps my depression. So it’s like I have to give up something no matter what drug I take. Right now I can’t stand feeling depressed. Good luck. Everyone is different. Oh- I gained weight immediately on it.

I have been on Gabapentin for 3 1/2 months. I’ve gained 17 pounds!! I was already obese, and now I won’t go out of the house. As other people have said... the weight gain goes to your stomach! It’s shocking! It does feel like a fat suit. I’m 63 and look 9 months pregnant! Nothing fits!!

Doctor gave me Gabapentin for Burning Mouth Syndrome. Guess what??

I’LL SUFFER.

I’ve weened myself off. I’m just starting a weight loss routine. I’m miserable.

Also, I have neuropathy in my right foot. Gabapentin made neuropathy WORSE! I did not have brain issues.

Good luck to all of you that have to take Gabapentin. You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Love to all, Mina Marie

I've gained 50 pounds, I have the strange side effect of sucking on my tounge (which has outs own name]) which creates more saliva, which treks my body I'm hungry. This I'm hungry all the time and snack a lot because of it. Gaining any weight was the last thing I wanted to happen & now I went from a size 6 to 16, 18 and am now considered obese and I hate hate hate how I look. I hope you do better than I've done. I've asked 3 doctors to help me with the weight and I've gotten nothing. I'm scared to change meds because it does take care of my restless legs. Good luck.

Your stomach will blow up and you can't get it off!

I have been given Gabapentin, I am really scared of those drug. 100mg. As many to start maybe 3 qd. I am overweight now, is the swelling in ankles, water retention?
My memory is bad now, very scared to even start for my TN.

If you look at other postings on Gabapentin you will see that others have had extreme problems with their brains. I had the most bizarre experience with it that I have ever had with anything, ever. I was just about comatose. Just sitting in a chair and not able to even turn my head when my husband came into the room to talk to me. It was terrible. On the lowest possible dose, my doctor said it wasn't a drug for me.

Hi Anon. The weight gain can be awful, depending on your own body. For me, it's not good. I gained a lot of weight. The urges to stop eating are just ending and it's been 2 1/2yrs since I started. I'm getting off of it slowly. It affects my memory, weight gain and longevity of life. You must know this is just my experience. Yours could be excellent.
I apologize for not understanding "word finding" issue.
Your a smart cookie to ask this question. Some people just jump into a med without knowing the consequences. The pro's and con's.
See ya on the board.
Anna

I simply cannot lose weight since I started Gabapentin (2 years ago) My doctor INSISTS this drug does not cause weight gain, but I have read up on it and it causes INCREASED HUNGER FEELINGS! Duh!!! I have gained about 20 pounds.
As for the "word" thing... I have that too... very frustrating... again my Dr. states he has never heard that complaint!!! I sometimes fear that I am getting early onset Alzheimers, but Nothing has ever stopped my pain like this med so I am between a rock and a hard place!

Started Gabapentin this morning 100mg x 3 a day for pain in my back from sacral meningoelocele. Lived in pain for past 15 years and hopeing this will work. How are those of you who just started doing?

My Doctor just started me on gabapentin today, for my pain from Lumbar Radiculopathy, I hope that I don't gain weight, but I will let you know if I have any of those side effects.

As for the word finding issues with Gabapentin, I am going through that now. It seems to come and go. Had to quit my job as i could no longer hold a conversation. I would start to talk and then i couldnt continue as the word i was looking for would completely elude me , Its hard when people would try to help me find the word i was looking for. very frustrating.