Gabapentin and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Fak...
• July 31, 2016

For Anxiety "I have to say, it's been working very well for me. I'm more confident, and I love being around people way more than before. But sometimes I feel very dizzy, and I'm all over the place. I forget everything, and I feel kind of lost. I feel like my brain is on slow motion. The worst thing is I can't make love anymore. It's really hard to stimulate me, and sometimes I can't even ejaculate. It brought me peace inside, but I don't feel things anymore. Never happy, never too sad. I don't enjoy food. (Sorry for terrible English.)"

• Scu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I am a 45-year-old female and have been suffering from RLS for the past 6 months (located in BC, Canada). I also have chronic migraines since puberty. Met with a new neurologist this week, and she prescribed me gabapentin as she said it would help with both (I am also taking 1000 mg of magnesium daily). Last night, for the first time, I took 300 mg of gabapentin before bed, and for the FIRST time in what seems like forever, I was able to have some actually good restful sleep. I did experience some dizziness when I woke to use the toilet in the middle of the night, but what usually would have been a terrible time getting back to sleep was not bad at all. I did have two occasions with knots and spasms in a calf and thigh, but I put on a heat pad over those areas and drifted off to sleep easily. This is a dream come true. I look forward to going to sleep tonight. Sweet dreams to all of you also who are finding that this med has worked for you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2017

For Anxiety "I've tried other drugs to treat my anxiety and depression with no luck. With gabapentin, I'm able to function more normally. Gabapentin works for me where other drugs did not. For me, it also improves my ability to multitask. I can concentrate and zone in on the task at hand. A welcome side effect is that smoking while the gabapentin is active makes me sick... I'm trying to use that as a way to quit. Also, I occasionally lose balance and get the munchies, similar to cannabis. Please hear me... if you need help and have tried other drugs without help, try gabapentin. I still suffer, but it provides me with the ability to function. It may also work for you."

• Wag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2013

For Pain "I've had 5 surgeries on lower back which causes nerve damage and pain and been this way since my first surgery in 1992 or 93 lose count. My Dr. suggested Gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day. Now I'm not steady on my feet, when walking, I have to hold on to things because of fear of falling. I can't function at the workplace. I have to be alert at all times. I have a lot of drowsiness and dizziness, and this medicine puts me to sleep at all hours. But on a high note, I'm drinking a lot of water, which is a good thing due to cotton mouth. I don't think this is for me."

• Esk...
• August 5, 2016

For Pain "I have suffered from pain in both legs related to arthritis in my knees, ankles, and toes. My doctor prescribed gabapentin 300 mg (one capsule daily for one week; then twice daily and thereafter). I got immediate relief from the pain and discomfort. I felt some minor dizziness and sleepiness, but these effects were not lasting. I am keen to know if gabapentin will be permanently added to the list of medications."

• Get...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2022

For Pain "Gabapentin affects the CNS system and can cause dizziness. I am older and had dizziness on even a low dose. There was no pain relief whatsoever. I think Gabapentin is not effective for pain except for very few people. Now vets give it to pets, and they can't tell us if it is working. I don't think it is effective for dogs and is an excuse to not order opiates. The animals seem to be left in pain. There is little evidence Neurontin works for pain over the years."

• Mdd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

For Insomnia "I also have been prescribed gabapentin for neuropathy and most recently for 2 herniated discs in my lower back causing sciatica. The first month was fine, and the only side effect was blurred vision and dizziness. Going on month 6 and having horrible insomnia, memory loss, lack of coordination, pain, depression, anxiety. Affecting my job, cannot stand more than 5 minutes, 2-4 hours of sleep max per night. I'm miserable."

• Mdd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

For Insomnia "I also have been prescribed gabapentin for neuropathy and most recently for 2 herniated discs in my lower back causing sciatica. The first month was fine, and the only side effect was blurred vision and dizziness. Going on month 6 and having horrible insomnia, memory loss, lack of coordination, pain, depression, anxiety. Affecting my job, cannot stand more than 5 minutes, 2-4 hours of sleep max per night. I'm miserable."

• Adv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2013

For Migraine "An orthopedic specialist prescribed Gabapentin to relieve the pain associated with a muscular/spine issue I'm working through. I have had migraines since I was 5 years old, and one dose of this medication brought on one of the worst migraines I've had in years. It also made me wide awake at bedtime, instead of sleepy, as well as dizzy and nauseous."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2015

For Pain "I was prescribed gabapentin for horrible, 24/7 MS pain, 300 mg 3x a day at first. It did nothing for the pain, and I spent the entire month I was on it feeling like I was drunk or on a bad 60s-type acid trip; I was dizzy, staggering, confused, and nauseated. My doctor said to give medications a fair chance to work and the side effects should only last a week or so. She increased the dose to 600 mg 3x a day when I got no relief from the pain. After a month, I couldn't stand the awful side effects anymore and was still in pain, so I just quit taking it."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2015

For Pain "I was prescribed gabapentin for horrible, 24/7 MS pain, 300 mg 3x a day at first. It did nothing for the pain, and I spent the entire month I was on it feeling like I was drunk or on a bad 60s-type acid trip; I was dizzy, staggering, confused, and nauseated. My doctor said to give medications a fair chance to work and the side effects should only last a week or so. She increased the dose to 600 mg 3x a day when I got no relief from the pain. After a month, I couldn't stand the awful side effects anymore and was still in pain, so I just quit taking it."

• Hln...
• April 4, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "For all of you that speak of brain fog and dizzy lightheadedness with gabapentin. In my experience, gabapentin depletes B12. I am getting B12 injections monthly. And 3 days after the first injection, all the dizziness and brain fog was gone."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2018

For Pain "I was first given gabapentin for back pain. I increased the dose too quickly, though, and had some side effects. Dizziness, memory issues, and the like. However, I did increase from 200 mg X 4 daily and eventually got to 400 mg X 4 daily. Increasing by 100 mg at a time. Let me tell you, it did ZIP for pain. But my mood? What a difference. I have suffered from depression and anxiety as long as I can remember. Can't tell you how many drugs and combinations I tried. I had no idea how 'bleah' I still was until suddenly, I wasn't. What a difference, I can't tell you. As far as I know, I am NOT bipolar. Just your garden variety depression and horrible anxiety. Give it a try. Finally, I feel at age 62 that I am truly peaceful and content!"

• spi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2015

Gabapentin for Restless Legs Syndrome "My restless leg syndrome results in cramp-like pains that nothing seems to help. Until I took 300 mg of Gabapentin. It definitely took care of the pain, but it left me feeling drunk the next morning! I was staggering when I walked and had great difficulty waking up. This lasted for several hours after I woke up. Thankfully, this only happened the first couple of times that I took Gabapentin. Unfortunately, it was only effective at 300 mg for about two weeks. I was supposed to move up to two capsules (600 mg total) after the first week, but I hadn't out of fear of the side effects and at first it seemed unnecessary. Once the pain came back, I added the 2nd capsule and the tired, groggy feeling lasted all day! I'm not going to keep taking it."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Pain "Not only did this medication (600 mg once a day, not before bed) not help my pain as much as hoped, but it actually caused other problems, like burning eyes, burning skin on my arms, legs, and face, blue fingernails, swollen hands and legs, pain on washing and drying hands and wearing clothes that I have worn for years, and waking up with and spending all day with an intractable headache so bad I thought I was having a mini-stroke, plus brain fog, walking instability, memory loss, feeling super cold. I finally realized that gabapentin must be behind all this and tapered to half on the advice of my provider. Been only 2 days of tapering and many of the side effects, e.g., burning eyes, handwashing pain, dizziness, and headache have gone, plus my brain is so clear, something I haven't felt in the 2.5 months on this medication. Was told to do a week to 10 days on 300 mg and then stop, which I will definitely do. WILL NEVER TAKE THIS MEDICATION AGAIN!"

• Gin...
• July 11, 2019

For Insomnia "I have fibromyalgia, shingle nerve pain, herniated disk neck and back pain, along with arthritis. I was put on gabapentin 300 mg three times daily. It helps the pain, but I am so dizzy and weak. I feel incapable of doing anything. I think I need to go back on Aleve."

• One...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I started 2/17 for recently diagnosed fibromyalgia. (I take 25 mg of Zoloft for depression.) I am taking 400 mg of gabapentin in applesauce at night (had gastric bypass). My body and pain are WAY more calm than before. My pain went from a 9 to a 2, and I've stayed there since. Through all kinds of weather ups and downs, NO flare-ups these last couple of months. SIDE EFFECTS for me: 1. Eating! I wake up wanting to eat as many carbs and pastries as possible. I've never been like that before. (I've gained 5 lb in 6 weeks.) 2. VERTIGO! After I take it, I have to be careful making my way to bed so I don't fall. 3. Memory issues, but not worse than fibro fog. To me, the calm body and reduction in pain are worth it!"

• jan...
• July 15, 2009

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I take 200mg of generic gabapentin in the early evening and have had my restless leg syndrome symptoms greatly reduced. I sleep through the night now, something I have not done in years. Side effects have been sleepiness, dizziness, and memory loss, but are minor compared with the benefits."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2017

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was prescribed gabapentin for mild peripheral neuropathy. Doc had me build up from 100 mg week 1, 200 mg week 2, then 100 mg 3 times per day thereafter. Severe side effects even with this low dose! Losing balance, dizzy, memory problems, coordination problems, foggy. I hate it, and weaning down, I take it twice a day now and will go down to once a day for a week, then stop."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2017

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was prescribed gabapentin for mild peripheral neuropathy. Doc had me build up from 100 mg week 1, 200 mg week 2, then 100 mg 3 times per day thereafter. Severe side effects even with this low dose! Losing balance, dizzy, memory problems, coordination problems, foggy. I hate it, and weaning down, I take it twice a day now and will go down to once a day for a week, then stop."

• kim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2016

For Spondylolisthesis "I have spondylolisthesis, L4/L5, 2 bulging discs, moderate stenosis. Started in August and suffered until January. Had 2 injections which didn't work. Pain medication wasn't working. I am on Neurontin 900 mg three times a day with ibuprofen 800 mg three times a day. I didn't taper it up like I was supposed to. So had side effects, but only 1 day. Side effects were dizziness, trouble talking. It was sort of funny though. But I went from not being able to walk or get out of bed without crippling pain that made me scream to almost no pain. I was able to work again, sit for longer periods of time, and join the human race. It has now been 2 months, and it is still working. I was within weeks of having a fusion. Hope it keeps working."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

For Insomnia "My doctor prescribed gabapentin for insomnia because she didn't want me to use NyQuil or even a low dose of Xanax. Trazodone made me feel hungover, so I wouldn't take that. I tried a couple of times to take one 300 mg capsule - which did nothing. Then I tried 2 capsules as it was prescribed as 1-2 capsules. I laid sleepless until 4 am. I felt as if someone had turned the radio volume completely down but didn't turn it off. I laid with a silent and blank mind but could move into sleep. Once I fell asleep, I slept until 5:30 am when my alarm went off. I felt completely drugged, dizzy, disoriented, and even once I was at work, I could not remember the names of the physicians I work with daily. I didn't feel safe to drive or care for my patients. Never taking it again."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2011

For Anxiety "Gabapentin is the most liberating medicine I have ever used. I have tried Effexor, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lamictal, Lithium, Phenibut, Kava, Theanine-anything with implications of anxiolytic properties. Finding the right dosage can be a little tricky, but when that is tuned, this medication seems superior to any anxiety medication available. Side effects of too much include dizziness and fatigue."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2022

For Pain "Took 100 mg 3x a day for 3 months. I’m 60 years old. I have been off for 2 months. I feel like my body from head to toe is vibrating all the time, my vision is blurry, and I can’t drive anymore even though I had LASIK surgery 1 year ago. Now I need glasses. I’m dizzy throughout my day and am easily agitated. This drug did not work out for me. I hope this review is helpful to some. Please do your research before taking this, it is more than likely you’ll have bad side effects to any other type of medication of this kind."

• Rep...
• November 3, 2014

For Hot Flashes "I was prescribed 100 mg x 3 Gabapentin, increased to 300 mg x 3. Worked a little on sweating, but after a few months, I noticed I had gained weight. Soon, it was spiraling out of control, and before I knew it, I had gained almost 20 lbs! Discontinued use (I had no withdrawal). Went back to my normal size in a few weeks and tried to take the Gabapentin again. Seemed okay at first, then the weight came back again. I am also on Amitriptyline, which I saw someone mention earlier. Also had dizziness and difficulty urinating. Nothing is worth the weight gain."