Gabapentin and Memory Loss: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Kka...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I have neuropathy not related to diabetes and was having trouble walking because the pain was so severe. I would tape my feet at night to sleep. I have been on gabapentin for 10 years now and it worked amazingly, but I had to go back every couple of years for more. More, more, more! Now I take the maximum and have gained a lot of weight and have trouble with memory loss. I have to find something else, but weaning myself off was a non-starter because the pain is triple bad. Still trying to get the Dr. to change it. He says everything causes weight gain."

• KAy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2017

For Pain "I started taking gabapentin for severe lower back pain. I have scoliosis. At first, it worked. I was told I could increase the dosage up to 1200 mgs. I'm now up to 800 mgs. Not only did it stop working, I read in-depth side effects. I'm experiencing memory loss, anxiety, and depression, which I already suffer from. Personally, I don't recommend it for back pain. I personally know 4 people that are prescribed it for back pain, 2 stopped taking it because it stopped working. Myself and another person are having the same problem. My best advice: ask questions and tell your doctor if you have problems with it or it stops working. I have a call into my doctor. I'm very concerned about the side effects I wasn't told about, and I'm in constant pain."

• RTa...
• March 29, 2021

For Fibromyalgia "I have had fibromyalgia for two years and started taking gabapentin about 6 months ago. My pain and weakness have been increasing while taking 2400 mg, and I had to stop studying because I can't remember anything and have a hard time remembering words. I feel that I am not myself."

• Ell...
• October 25, 2011

For Migraine "I have suffered with constant daily headaches and frequent debilitating migraines for the past couple of years. In the beginning, the only relief I could get was to go to the ER for IV medications. It was to the point where I was either constantly in bed in pain or at the ER. Finally, I was referred to a neurologist who started me on zonisamide. That helped at first, but then the headaches became constant again. Also, I was losing too much weight on the zonisamide (I was already underweight and had trouble gaining). Finally, my neurologist switched me to gabapentin, and it has helped a lot. I still get some headaches, but they aren't as often or as severe. The side effects were some loss of balance and forgetfulness. And I'm finally gaining weight!"

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I have fibromyalgia, severe muscle pain from a twisted spine/congenitally deformed vertebrae. I was getting better with yoga, but hurt my back/rib muscles overdoing. I developed depression on gabapentin after a few weeks. At first, it dulled the pain and made me feel lightheaded, and I had memory problems. Then my anxiety increased and the pain continued, and I hit a real low. I spent two weeks in a psych ward until a brilliant psych nurse who believed in treating muscle pain. I am now recovering on a mix of robaxin, a muscle relaxer, a low dose of valium for rib spasms, and Prozac and Remeron (for sleep) and hope to get off all of them once I can exercise again. Similar reaction to Lyrica four years ago."

• Nic...
• June 17, 2010

Gabapentin for Hot Flashes "I had been on the brand name Neurontin for my complex partial seizure disorder since 1994. When the generic came out, I began taking it. I began experiencing menopause symptoms within two months. I was 36 years old at that time. Three months ago, my neurologist put me back on the name brand. My symptoms have diminished greatly, but not completely. I think my condition is unique in that I took this medication while still in childbearing age. When my age increased, something about the generic formulation's bioavailability actually induced menopause symptoms. I also know that the name brand is working, as evidenced by weight gain, which can be brought back down with exercise. I had lost weight, sleep, memory, and sanity while on the generic."

• M R...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2014

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I take 900 mg a day. It makes the burning sensation in my hands and feet go away. But the pain in my shoulders and arms is still present, and the side effects are worse than the disease! I experience tremors, blurred vision, loss of memory, dizziness, and drowsiness. I'm a mother of three, and I can hardly function, but I do anyway. I still have very little use of my left side. If my neurologist thinks it's best, then who am I to argue? It does work. But for me, the side effects are a tad bit annoying for a full-time mom."

• Gre...
• March 22, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I started on 100 mg at night for about 1 week. Then increased to 300, 600, and finally in about a month, I was up to 1200 mg a day in increments of three. For the first 6 weeks, you are tired, but it's worth it, as soon as it kicks in, your pain is gone! I feel a little loopy some days, and I forget a lot of things, but my arthritis and bulging discs are pain-free, and I can live a great life. I dread getting off of it, though. It's going to be hell. If I ever run out, it's bad diarrhea and anxiety. Don't run out or take more than you're prescribed. Gab is a great drug for nerve pain, and I have no anxiety."

• Pos...
• November 7, 2016

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Originally prescribed this for post-herpetic neuralgia. What I'd found out (personally) is that it's a huge blessing for my anxiety & panic attacks, as well as my depression (I think it's bipolar, but I haven't revealed my symptoms to my psych doc yet). I have issues right now with my short-term memory, and there will be times when I forget to take it, and my brain reminds me! Within 20 minutes or less of taking it, I am human again. It's a blessing! I need to tell my psychiatrist about this! I have an entirely blessed life because of this med."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2017

For Spondylolisthesis "I have spondylolisthesis, L4/L5-S1, 2 bulging discs, and stenosis. After my 2nd fusion surgery, I was prescribed gabapentin. I found I would forget what I was talking about in the middle of a sentence, and acute disorientation! I remember I had just finished paying for my groceries, and the next thing I knew I woke up in the ER! I guess I became very disoriented in the store. I was fine after 'waking' and took a taxi back to the store. I had no clue what had happened! About a week later I was heading to physical therapy, blacked out, and hit a tree, totaling my car. I suspected the gabapentin, as that was the only 'new med' for me. I was told it was making me irritable and combative (still don't remember that). I quit taking it, and problem gone!"

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2018

For Anxiety "The only thing gabapentin did for me was make me a zombie. It gave me horrible problems with balance, memory, and blurred vision. I also had a major problem finding words. My old doc refuses to hear it and would yell at me when I mentioned the gabapentin giving me side effects. I mentioned everything to my new doc, and he decided to wean me off of the gabapentin and onto Ativan three times daily, as well as a supplement called L-theanine three times daily. The weaning process took about a week (I was taking 600 mg gabapentin 3xD). I have never felt calmer, more sane, and more relaxed!! All of this without any balance, vision, or speech problems! Gabapentin is garbage! So glad to be free at last!"

• Lil...
• February 4, 2017

For Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome "I have Stage 3 CRPS/RSD. I have struggled with it for 6 years. It is now affecting my heart and lungs. Stage 2 is when it was noticed that it affected my mind. I have noticed while 300 mg tid (3x daily) doesn't seem to help at all, taking 900 mg bid (2x daily) seemed to remove all my pain. However, I have just started the process. I am concerned, though, as I read how many people don't seem to have the proper information on this lifetime disease that affects their lives. How many are aware there are stages? How many use compressions? Are you aware that it causes confusion, memory loss, high blood pressure, troubles breathing, nausea, and so much more? Do you know herbal methods like lemongrass oils can help neuropathy and headaches."

• Jor...
• November 8, 2016

For Migraine "I have had migraines since I was about 12 years old. Tried EVERYTHING, Celexa, Topamax, Amitriptyline, etc. Side effects of those drugs for me were too heavy, memory loss, etc. Sumatriptan is magical at relieving symptoms most of the time! It is not good for you to take every day, which is a lot of my problem. Been out of work for over two months with 20+ migraines a month. Neuro put me on gabapentin 3x a day and has helped dramatically, frequency is down a bit. Going to start Botox in a month :) PS: I highly recommend Compazine for nausea, it also helps with the pain!"

• Alp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 9, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I've had issues with RLS and chronic insomnia since I was 4, until finally a (new) doctor many decades later put me on Ambien as part of my depression treatment regimen. I still had RLS from time to time but would take my Ambien (and years later, an earlier dose of Klonopin for anxiety) and it didn't matter. Fast forward many years and kids later, after a cervical disk injury, I was put on gabapentin (later, Gralise) for nerve pain. It didn't occur to me that my RLS had faded away too, until I phased out the Gralise because of the side effects and my RLS came back with a vengeance. I've restarted a smaller dose of Gralise and it has helped tremendously. Be forewarned-on high doses of gaba (about 1200 mg 3x/d or 1800 mg Gralise 1/d), I had weight gain, bloating, forgetfulness, psychological numbness/foggy thinking. Still, it was worth it for the nerve pain. For RLS, gabapentin is shorter-acting, so try to be on the lowest dose possible. Gralise is a long-acting version."

• Vln...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2021

For Spondylolisthesis "100 mg 3x daily. A miracle! Have horrible nerve pain in the left leg to the toes. Burning, tingling, icy, hot, numb, pain all at the same time. Cannot sit or lay flat. Not sleeping. I’m amazed this worked. What a relief. Now I can do physical therapy. I experience a little dizziness 10 minutes after ingestion. I was happy to note others have trouble remembering words, slight forgetfulness. I was becoming concerned. Glad it's a side effect and not something else much worse."

• Te ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 19, 2017

For Pain "I broke my wrist a year ago. It was bad, both wrist bones displaced! This was caused by my abuser pushing me as hard as he could. Anyway, it was, as now, the holidays, so I had to be in a cast a total of 10 weeks. After months of therapy and continuous pain, I was sent to a pain specialist. He prescribed gabapentin and tramadol. I could not stomach the tramadol but found the gabapentin did help with the dead aching feeling I was left with and still do in my arm and wrist. I would like to stop taking it, but if I go too long, the pain is unbearable. I feel the loss of memory, lethargic, lost, foggy feelings taking it though, and I hate it! And the depression! I don't know what to do.. Many specialists, ??"

• Mis...
• May 25, 2011

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was diagnosed with neurosarcosis. I was in so much pain until I started this medicine. I have taken it for 6 years now, and I take 2400 mg a day in 3 doses. I, like so many others who have commented, can feel the pain coming back about 30 mins before my next dose. I would not be functional without it. As time has gone on, I have noticed more forgetfulness but can blame it all on the medicine."

• Lon...
• April 14, 2021

For Neuropathic Pain "This is very effective on my chronic nerve pain. I would love to continue taking this, but I had some side effects that became increasingly troubling. The sleepiness was tolerable, but I couldn’t handle the short-term memory loss. I’m generally very well organized. At first, I hoped that my memory issues would resolve themselves once my body adjusted to the dosage, however, I experienced the complete opposite. The recall became more and more sketchy until I had no choice but to cease the Rx. My doctor weaned me off of the meds to confirm that it’s actually the cause of my recent issues. I’m going for a follow-up appointment in 2 days, but I can say with certainty that I feel as if a fog has lifted. I was also experiencing sharp acute pains in my head. Very painful, but fortunately, very brief. They’d only last a few minutes and disappear as suddenly as they’d come."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2020

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I have type 2 diabetes with neuropathic pain in my feet and hands for 12 years. I have been taking a pain medication that worked until my dosage was cut back. Now my doctor has put me on Gabapentin 300 mg two times a day, with severe pain and burning in my hands since taking this medicine that I did not have before, with dizziness, bad balance, headaches, forgetfulness, and not sleeping at night. So I quit taking it for 5 days, I was better, with no pain or burning in my hands. I talked to my brother, and he told me about 3 other people taking the medication with good results, so I am trying it again. Pray long-term effects work, but not happy with this medication right now. Pain medication does control my pain, but they say it’s not good for you. But, comparing pain medication with Gabapentin, I have no side effects with pain medication but have many with Gabapentin. Praying for a better outcome with this medication, I have been taking it for 4 months."

• Max...
• March 4, 2022

For Pain "I have been on gabapentin for 10 years now, and the side effects have changed over the years. I am now dealing with 32 side effects from the long list that I am reading here. The most severe is inability to concentrate and depression. Before I began this medication, I was a very creative, assertive, social, confident go-getter! I was in excruciating pain, but I was determined to succeed. Since I have been on this drug, I have lost interest in my goals and once dreams. I have trouble remembering certain things. I get brain fog. I have been driving, turned a corner, and did not remember turning. Yes, I have constant pounding and ringing in my right ear. My eyes constantly water. I was taking 800 mg 3 times daily. I grit my teeth, I cannot sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night. I have severe anxiety, I do not trust people and sometimes think that they are against me in some way. Dry mouth, jerking movements, I count my fingers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. As of today, I am weaning myself off of this poison!"

• Hea...
• March 5, 2010

Gabapentin for Migraine "I have been taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) for over a year now, can't remember exactly how long, but it has helped me to function better, although I still have a headache on a daily basis. That sounds contradictory, but when I don't take it, I can hardly function. I do have memory problems lately, and I'm usually tired, but it's better than not having it."

• JiL...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 8, 2020

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking gabapentin for over 5 years, maybe closer to 10 years. At first, it was because of chronic back pain and a botched rotator cuff surgery, and now added to that mix, diabetic neuropathy in my feet and legs. I was glad to see that I am not the only one whose feet hurt so bad the sheet is thrown aside! I dropped a meat fork by accident the other day; it stabbed me in my right lower leg, and I didn't even know it until I saw the blood on the floor. I guess you could say it works really well since I had no pain in my leg, but now I realize I also have no feeling! I think, too, that gabapentin also makes my memory suck. My family makes fun of me because I have CRS so badly. I take 1000 mg 3 times a day. I will keep taking it until God takes me home or the doc comes up with something better."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "This medication needs to be reviewed once more. This should be a controlled drug. I can't take this medication and leave my house. I literally have to be in my bed already before taking this drug because I don't remember anything when I wake up. Heavy drug!"

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2024

For Migraine "I'm taking gabapentin for migraine/TAC headache 3 months ago. I started at 500 mg & now take it 3 times a day. I didn't experience any common side effects. However, if I take 2, I can't drive because I kind of feel spaced out & forgetful. It's helping my left eye pain that's been severe on and off every day for a year. I have carpal tunnel, but it doesn't seem to help with that, but I've also been hauling tree limbs to the curb, so that definitely aggravates it. As for weight gain, usually it's emotional eating, but with gabapentin and Seroquel, it could be one or all three. It's really benefiting me as Lyrica didn't work at all."

• joj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2022

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I was prescribed gabapentin for a couple of problems. Didn't help anything. Dr. kept upping the dosage, and I wasn't able to remember basic things. I was a waitress and couldn't figure out simple math problems. I would forget what orders went to what table. I forgot how to use the cash register. And so much more."