Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
A
Annanell Asked November 19, 2023

I have been on Gabapentin for several months. Lately I have noticed I have been losing it, more than normal and just figured it was old age.

Looking into the side effects, of Gabapentin, I see one is brain fog. As the 24/7 caregiver of my husbands, I can’t have that, I quit taking it as of today. Anyone know how long it takes for this brain fog to go away?

Grandma1954 Mar 23, 2024
Side note for this and any drug
Do not discontinue the medication without consulting your doctor or at least a pharmacist. Some drugs need to be titrated down in order to safely discontinue without side effects.

lealonnie1 Nov 19, 2023
Also speak to your doctor about the possibility of going on Cymbalta for neuropathy in your legs/feet. Its an antidepressant SSRI which also has excellent results with numbness and pain in the extremities. Mom was on too much Gabapentin for ages and it did nothing to help her neuropathy. Cymbalta did help enormously but worsened her dementia so she had to discontinue it. So have your doc weigh out the pros and cons to see if the drug is a better option for you than Gabapentin.

ADVERTISEMENT


Annanell Nov 19, 2023
I was prescribed one capsule ofGabapentin a day back in Sept for numbness of the feet and some pain. Then in October my doctor upped the dosage to 3 times throughout the day and once at bedtime. I only noticed starting to have short term memory loss like forgetting what medication I should have given my husband etc. this last week.

Fawnby Nov 19, 2023
Have you had Covid? Possibly asymptomatic? I know people who still have brain fog after Covid. In one case the Covid was mild but persists more than 3 years later.

AlvaDeer Nov 19, 2023
Oh, oh!
Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after missed dose and can result in severe agitation with other symptoms of withdrawal as well.

Titrating off any medications in this class requires the help, guidance, and support of your doc.
So take your missed dose and report to your MD on Monday regarding your symptoms and regarding withdrawal of medications.

I am uncertain why you were taking this medication but depending on that you may need to try another in its stead if you don't do OK on your own.
Wishing you great good luck and hope you will reassure us that you will seek medical supervision in this.

JoAnn29 Nov 19, 2023
Side effects

Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy
Feeling sick (nausea)
Being sick (vomiting)
Diarrhoea
Mood changes
Swollen arms and legs
Blurred vision
Dry mouth
Difficulty getting an erection
Weight gain
Memory problems
Headaches
Getting more infections than usual

You need to call ur doctor.

NeedHelpWithMom Nov 19, 2023
I agree with Grandma that you should speak with your doctor before going off meds.

I suppose that you will have to wait to see if you start to feel better before knowing if Gapapentin is the source of your brain fog.

Did you start noticing brain fog soon after starting on this medication?

Grandma1954 Nov 19, 2023
You should consult your doctor or at least a pharmacist before you discontinue taking any medication. Some meds you need to go off of gradually.
I would talk to your pharmacist and ask what the duration of the medication might be.
You should also send a note to your doctor telling them the side effects that you have had and that you have discontinued the medication. You can ask if there are any other meds that might not have the same effects. It would depend on what the medication was prescribed for as to other medications that would be as effective.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter