Gabapentin and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Aas...
• May 27, 2022

For Pain "I actually was prescribed this for insomnia and back pain. I wanted to get off a scheduled med I was on for insomnia. In the beginning, this made me so tired I could barely function. I was about to give up but read that this was normal in the beginning, so I tried again. I'm no longer tired during the day, and I sleep very well with no back pain. What's great is that it can help with seizures too, and I happen to have a seizure disorder."

• Cat...
• August 12, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "I recently switched pharmacy brands and have noticed I am EXTREMELY tired all the time from taking this new generic. It is from mail-order Humana and mfr Glenmark Generics. It is so bad to the point that I cannot even function. I am at a loss for explaining this. My life is now total despair."

• MoR...
• November 25, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I experienced progressively worsening and frequent nerve pain shooting down both of my legs. I had almost immediate relief with gabapentin. And for the first time in months, I was able to sleep throughout the night. It was a miracle drug for me. I got up to 900 mg 3x/day. However, I also experience an array of side effects. I always feel exhausted to the point that it makes it difficult to do daily activities. I gained 30+ lbs in a few short months... and I have bad acne for the first time ever. I've started tapering back down and realize that I have more energy... we'll see about the other side effects now. It's a balancing act between the side effects and pain."

• col...
• June 21, 2009

Gabapentin for Pain "I have tried this drug 2 separate times in a 6-month period, and it did not help. It made me extremely tired for the entire time. I had a very active 2-year-old at the time. It would be better prescribed as a sleeping or calming pill, but I suppose it depends on the individual needs."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2017

For Pain "Mom is 98 years old, the gabapentin capsules were for her knee pain, 100 mg, twice a day. It did help with her pain relief, however, we found she started having bedside effects such as dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, and feeling confused at nighttime, so we decided to stop the medication."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 27, 2018

For Neuropathic Pain "I just increased gabapentin to 900 mg three times a day. It has helped with the sciatic nerve pain. Only complaint is that I feel high and tired. Limits my everyday living skills and driving. Otherwise, 2,700 mg a day has been a good relief."

• nee...
• December 23, 2015

For Neuropathic Pain "I have been prescribed gabapentin medreich only last week. Due to having a lot of problems with tingling sensation in the right foot, which got so bad, I was unable to sleep since having spinal fusion back in March, but I have too many problems since my operation, too many to list. However, since taking these tablets, 200 mg, 3x a day, I have no energy, sleeping all the time, and I have since developed pins and needles on the right side of my face, which had me worried as I have never had this before. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this."

• Dia...
• June 1, 2020

"I have idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). I took this medication, gabapentin, for 3 weeks. It caused terrible insomnia, and I already don't sleep much due to pain as it is. More nausea, more vomiting, more tiredness than I already had. Horrible stomach cramps. Racing thoughts, like my brain was on hyper mode and wouldn't shut up, yet I felt lethargic all the time. I had really shaky hands and was dropping/spilling things all over, precision movement was difficult, I couldn't even write properly. Legs were also very shaky, I had trouble just standing up, and my balance (which is already affected) got worse. I passed a lot of kidney stones during the time I took this medication, similar to what happened when I was on Diamox. I fainted more frequently. I experienced some involuntary eye movements, like my eyes would skip side to side at random, causing disorientation and more dizziness."

• Dia...
• June 1, 2020

"I have idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). I took this medication, gabapentin, for 3 weeks. It caused terrible insomnia, and I already don't sleep much due to pain as it is. More nausea, more vomiting, more tiredness than I already had. Horrible stomach cramps. Racing thoughts, like my brain was on hyper mode and wouldn't shut up, yet I felt lethargic all the time. I had really shaky hands and was dropping/spilling things all over, precision movement was difficult, I couldn't even write properly. Legs were also very shaky, I had trouble just standing up, and my balance (which is already affected) got worse. I passed a lot of kidney stones during the time I took this medication, similar to what happened when I was on Diamox. I fainted more frequently. I experienced some involuntary eye movements, like my eyes would skip side to side at random, causing disorientation and more dizziness."

• Gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "My doctor ordered gabapentin 100 mg, three times a day. It did not help the pain, it made me extremely tired. She then upped the dose to 300 mg, three times a day. After the first dose at 300 mg, I felt terrible, my son and I both noticed gabapentin was affecting my mood. Generally, I'm extremely friendly by nature and in a good mood, but I became cranky and extremely tired. I had no energy to do anything. I went back to the doctor, she took me off of gabapentin. I also did not experience much pain relief."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Started gabapentin 2 days ago for PHN post shingles. I was fortunate that I was put on an antiviral early enough to minimize the shingles rash and duration of the shingles, but I developed severe pain in my right side once the rash started crusting. I now have burning, sharp, and electric shock feelings on the whole lower right side of my body where the shingles presented. My doctor has prescribed my gabapentin for the nerve pain. So far I have felt some light-headedness, tired, feeling 'stoned.' I've not had any pain relief as of yet, but I believe it is too soon to tell. I am started at 300 mg a day, titrating up to 1800 mg a day. I really hope this medication works for my PHN. I will only rate this a 1 because it's too early for me to know and because of the side effects I have already experienced."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2016

For Migraine "Suffering from chronic migraine vertigo or silent migraine so poorly was getting 3/5 attacks per day, loss of balance, vertigo, dizziness, spaced out, visual disturbances. Saw my optician several times as it felt like my eyes were strange, always feeling off balance. Ended in A&E, saw my neurologist who confirmed it was migraine vertigo and put me on 300 mg at night time and gradually increased this dosage to 1800 mg (600 mg 3 times a day). Felt dizzy, spaced out, confused, lasted 5 months and neurologist advised me to wean off the drug. The gabapentin did help at my well beginning, it never went away. My GP has prescribed propranolol, not started yet. Side effects of gabapentin: dizzy, off balance, pain in head, tired, confused, memory issues, avoid."

• So ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Been taking gabapentin for 6 months, have nerve pain in feet and hands. It makes me feel tired all the time. I am glad I don't work anymore, I couldn't function if I had to work. It's bad in a way, it helps with feet and knee pain. But it doesn't do anything for my hands. I just wish it wouldn't make me feel exhausted all day."

• So ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2023

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Been taking gabapentin for 6 months, have nerve pain in feet and hands. It makes me feel tired all the time. I am glad I don't work anymore, I couldn't function if I had to work. It's bad in a way, it helps with feet and knee pain. But it doesn't do anything for my hands. I just wish it wouldn't make me feel exhausted all day."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2023

For Postherpetic Neuralgia "Taking gabapentin for 19 months now at 3600 mg a day. The capsules are quite easy to take. While the terrible pain, like electric shocks, has lessened, I still experience pain. The side effects are constant tiredness and a dull, foggy feeling in my head. I have also gained weight. I guess I expected more after all this time."

• rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2024

For Hot Flashes "I've been taking 900 mg. Today, it seems to be helping. I've been hot flash-free for almost a month now, and I was having severe hot flashes. I would recommend trying it for allergies first and gradually working your way up because it does make you very tired. I only take 300 mg at a time."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2020

For Pain "I took one pill of gabapentin 100 mg and felt exhausted the next day, and my shins ached. I have RLS so bad, this is not helping."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2011

Gabapentin for Vulvodynia "Made me tired in the beginning. Wouldn't say I'm cured, but I have so many more good days than bad."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2009

Gabapentin for Migraine "This works great for migraines. Now, I only have 1 migraine a month, if that. Will cause you to be tired at first, but then your body adapts to 1 pill per day."

• Rio...
• December 5, 2016

For Insomnia "Takes 4 hours for me to pass out. When I do, I feel drunk. I sleep a solid 6-7 hrs but still wake up foggy and tired."

• Mel...
• November 15, 2016

For Migraine "Horrible, extremely tired, felt so sick, dizzy, itchy. Almost every side effect. Did help some with chronic migraines but unable to continue taking this."

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "Horrible side effects, out-of-body effect, dizzy, tired, unable to cope with reality."

• FFa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2020

For Pain "I started on gabapentin a week ago for pain. Now I have chronic diarrhea. I am so tired all day. When or if will these side effects end... 100 mg, 2x a day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

For Occipital Neuralgia "Reduced frequency of shocks and lessened the intensity of them when I did get them. A bit more tired, but not terrible. Sometimes I feel a bit off balance, but overall, pretty good."