It does seem to have that effect for a significant number of people, especially when they first start on the drug. I've been on and off the drug once as an off label use to treat anxiety, now back on again for about a year due to the PN.

All things being equal, I would rather not be on this (or any) drug - but I really needed it to control severe cramping. I do want to taper back off to see if I can get by without it, but might wait until after the holidays.

As for the "zombie effect" - it took a little while to adjust, but at 1800 mg/day I really don't have any issues with sleepiness during the day. I drive long distances for work on a regular basis, so I couldn't take something that made me sleepy. However, I do sleep much better at night so that's a good thing. The biggest negative for me is its effect on "libido", but that's a quality of life trade-off that I have to accept.

Now, if you want to turn me into a zombie - give me some tricyclic anti-depressants. I won't just be a sleepy zombie, I'll be a "Living Dead" eat-your-face-off kind of zombie

So, as much as I hate being on any medication, I'd hate to completely scare anyone away from Gabapentin if they are really in need of relief. Just like any drug, it affects everyone differently. We all are guinea pigs to some extent, searching for something that brings relief. And I honestly think gabapentin has a milder side effect profile on average than most of the other pharmaceutical options that are out there.