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Cognitive effects of Neurontin

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Posted 1/24/2015 11:09 AM (GMT -5)
Does anyone know about the cognitive effects of long-term Neurontin use? I ask this because shortly before Christmas, I increased my use of Neurontin--at my doctor's suggestion from 900 to 1500 daily; she had said I might want to take 600 at bedtime to improve my sleep. Shortly after the holidays--and most of you've heard me whine at length about this--I had one of the worst "flares" of my life. This seems to be fairly common with people like us, but I've been looking at the long-term effects of Neurontin, and wondering if the sharp increase may have at least made my flare worse. My forgetfulness, wobbliness, blurred vision, MAJOR pain, etc. . . . have really become much worse, and I'm wondering if it could be as simple as too much too fast. The problem, of course, is that all these things can be attributed to everything from age to fibro in general.... I'm going to talk to my doctor about cutting back when I see her next week, though.

Any thoughts?
Posted 1/24/2015 12:59 PM (GMT -5)
Hi, sorry to hear about your bad flare. I hope you are feeling better now. In my experience with Neurotin or Gabapentin, it has helped me alot with the nerve pain. My mom takes it as well in a smaller dose. I'm usually on 600mg 4x daily. Since I broke my leg, I'm on it 5x daily.

Since taking it we both have experienced the "drunken", wobbly walk and increased memory problems. I also had vision problems in the beginning. My eyes would get blurry and then clear up and do it again. Then my eyes would quickly shake back and forth- like vibrating. That drove me crazy!!

While my mom decreased her dose even lower (and still walks off balanced), I plowed through it. I don't really have those side effects anymore. Of course I don't know if the memory problems are part of Fibro or due to Gabapentin. I do have terrible dry mouth from it though.

I have never heard of anyone having increased pain from it and that includes alot of people that has hated it for the side effects to the ones that don't think it works for pain at all. It's been said over and over again on here that things effect everyone different. It's hard to say how you feel on it. Personally, I don't think your dose was increased too much too quickly. You know your own body though. I would consider giving it a chance. It helps me alot...even more than the morphine I am on.

Let us know what you decide to do. Good luck!

Dawn
Posted 1/27/2015 10:21 AM (GMT -5)
Gabapentin helped me mildly with the pain when I had CRPS. My family disliked it because I was *****y and ate a lot. I was surprised that I'm doing well with Lyrica, but I know a lot of people here can't use that and do better with gabapentin. Let us know how it works out for you.
Posted 1/27/2015 12:35 PM (GMT -5)
I've taken gabapentin for years, and barely know I'm taking it. However, I don't feel as well when I dn't take it. This recent increase did make me a little loony, but I seem to have adjusted.

I, however, do not like Lyrica at all! Go figure!!
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