I have been taking Gabapentin 600mg at bedtime for over a year. Over a month ago my doc had me start taking 600mg two more times during the day, which means I'm taking them three times a day.

I have been fine with taking the evening dose however, since I started taking the other doses. I have had problems with shaking in my hands and jerking everywhere else. I can be sitting watching tv and my arm will jump…or any other part of my body that I cannot control. I have also felt really buzzed at time I have had horrible problems with my memory, yesterday I was talking with my DH about something and I couldn’t remember a word he was asking me what it meant. I had to have him repeat it over and over and I still couldn’t remember it. I have gained weight an dizziness its all too weird...

I don’t like what is going on…The pills does relieve some of my pain but not enough to make it worth taking. I’m thinking of going off the pill except the evening dose.

Has anyone else had these same side effects?

I hope you and your doctor can find another medication that can work without all the "high" effects. I used to take only 100mg at night but I am such a lightweight that I could shake the "high" for hours after I woke up from my Gabapentin coma.
Now I take Elavil 25 mg- not nearly as effective but at least I know what I am saying now.
Good luck!!

Tami....YES!!! I take a high dose of it, too, and have noticed the same things as you. The jerking - I only notice it when I try to sleep. It wakes me up sometimes but I've never noticed it during the day when I'm awake.

I've had swelling in my hands and feet, too. And....of course I've gained weight. That really stinks 'cause I haven't been eating much.

I've started not taking one of my daytime doses....it just zombifies me and I stagger around the house and sleep the day away. And...the pain relief I get from it isn't worth the side effects. I wish my Neuro could prescribe something else.

Tami--
One of my questions is how fast did you titrate onto your new dose ? I've been on Neurontin about 9 months (for seizures and allodynia--nerve pain) and I have found that how fast/slow you titrate it can really make a difference in the side effects you experience. When I first started titrating my neuro had me stay on 300 mg for approx 3-4 days, then titrate up in 300 mg incriments every 2-3 days until I reached 900 mg. BUT, how fast/slow I titrated onto it was really up to how I was feeling and reacted to it. I had A LOT of side effects from each dose and each dose increase. So, what I did was stay at one dose until the side effects went down to where I could function--- usually about a week to a week and a half. So, I went much, much slower than my initial titration schedule (my neuro was fine with it) and found it made a lot of difference. I still have side effects, but over time they have gotten better and easier to deal with. So, my suggestion would be to give it a little more time-- especially if it is helping your pain (or whatever you are taking it for). I know it isn;t easy, and the side effects stink-- I went, and am still dealing with. through them myself.

Hang in there and keep in contact with your doctors about how you are doing and what you are going through-- often times they can give you some suggestions on ways to deal with the side effects or change your dosing schedule to help minimize them.

Good Luck-- L2L

I so appreciate all your help...the suggestion to titrate slower than the doc tells you too is worth a try.

I am on the drug for pain...chronic pain...back pain....

Just wanted to add a quick disclaimer: NEVER change a dose or a schedule without talking to your doctor first. My neuro had given me the go- ahead to titrate as slow as I felt I needed to-- meaning, if I didn;t feel ready to increase my dose after 2 or 3 days; it was fine for me to slow down and wait until my body got a little more used to it.......

Hello Tamiloo, I am currently taking gabapentin, (1) 600 mg pill twice during the day, and (2) pills at bedtime for a total of 2400 mgs per day for over a year now. I am currently experiencing a jerking of my left hand (I am left-handed) which creates any messes, and a loss of body movement as well, which leads to my falling down sometimes. Attempting to go off is not good as it leads to seizures. My doctors assistent told me that gabapentin is not for treatment of the nerves, but I was under the impression it is. At this time, I am simply looking for someone who shares some of the conditions I am experiencing, and when I read your post, I felt a kindrid spirit. please respond. Revyrev:

The post you are responding to is over 4 years old, so getting a response may be iffy.

I canned them the gabapentin shatkes, and finally, when I was at my worst, I had to have wife drive me to the doc so he could see it firsthand. He took me off them right away. One size does not fit all, and I have discovered that rats have it. even been tested for cancer for the stuff in high dosses. It marginally worked for me, but after that reaction and serration in syndrome from SSRIs, they decided to put me strictly on opioid therapy.

It has been a paperwork hassle, but well worth it. 80% pain free, not in gaga land, and able to function. It is a miracle