Gabapentin and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• lar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 24, 2012

Neurontin (gabapentin) for Anxiety "Neurontin has changed my life dramatically. I suffered from high anxiety with panic and anxiety attacks. I started this medicine at about 19 and had been off and on it the past 13 years. It literally has made me a new person. When I don't use it, I notice a lot of fatigue, worry, anxiety, etc. When I am using this medication, I can concentrate on the better side of things and am not so negative. In the beginning, it did have some side effects such as a 'loopy' feeling. Over time, that did pass, and now it gives me energy to get through the day. I am on 300mg 3 times a day. I can also sleep much easier, and my carpal tunnel syndrome is dramatically better. Before, I felt very snappy and impatient, now I handle things with a much more calm disposition. Love it."

• JMW...
• May 6, 2014

For Anxiety "I have had periodic depression for years, and general anxiety problems as well. Lately, they had been getting worse. I cannot tolerate the SSRI anti-depressants, can't even tell any effect when I take Buspar. I was taking Clonazepam when things got really bad. I went back to see a doctor I have great respect for, had another QEEG. He said I have a 'fast brain' (Gross CNS hyperarousal). Started me on 300 mg Gabapentin at bedtime. I noticed a calming, mellowing effect the first day. Before, I could not stop my mind from racing, from obsessing, and would get almost paralyzed to do anything. I feel so much better now, my mind is calm, depression is lifted, and no side effects other than a very, very slight fogginess. So far, for me - amazing."

• Vnu...
• August 16, 2018

For Insomnia "I've had horrible anxiety, insomnia, restless leg & depression for years that has disturbed my sleep. I've tried many meds such as Seroquel, Trazodone, Benadryl, Melatonin, Xanax, Ativan, etc., all eventually stopped working or had lingering effects. I started taking Gabapentin when I developed Shingles & noticed I started sleeping better. Sleeping uninterrupted through the night, my legs and body no longer felt restless. At first, I had some side effects the next day, being groggy & foggy but after my body became used to the drug within a few weeks, it disappeared. Now I take 600mg every night an hour before bed, and I sleep like a baby & wake up rested. Even if I wake at night, I don't feel 'drugged up' or in a zombie-like state. I feel calm & sleepy. After all these years of taking so many meds to help me calm down and sleep, I never considered Gabapentin to be so wonderful & just what I needed. I'm 38 and a nurse & can't say enough about Gabapentin. I have had wonderful results."

• Ell...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 13, 2019

For Pain "I have taken Gabapentin for almost ten years for sciatic nerve pain. It works amazingly well for me. I take one 100mg capsule at bedtime. I sleep well, and I do not feel any sciatic pain. My internist has told me that I can take two capsules, but I have not needed to do this. I have not experienced any side effects from Gabapentin, although a friend of mine stopped taking it because it made her feel as though she were in a fog. I am grateful that this medication works for me."

• Sky...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2019

For Pain "I was on Gabapentin for over 5 years for pain and anxiety. The withdrawal almost killed me. I'm still suffering months later. I have permanent damage to my bowels due to the fact that it numbed the signal to my brain that I needed to go to the bathroom. I gained significant water weight. I was unable to think clearly and would get lost driving to places I've been many times. It raised my hemoglobin to the point that I had to be hospitalized. I developed sleep apnea. I had 8 central sleep apneas in 30 minutes. I stopped breathing over 60 times an hour. This was all on less than 300 mg. I now lost 28 pounds, underweight and was unable to eat due to withdrawal. My doctor said it can take up to one year for the effects to wear off. I pray it does not last that long. This is a dangerous drug that is given out like candy."

• Cin...
• June 27, 2018

For Anxiety "I've had terrible depression and anxiety for over 20 years. I was prescribed Paxil in 1995 and it worked great until last year. It just stopped working, and I had horrible rebound depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. I felt really bad. My CNP prescribed Gabapentin, and I felt better after the first dose. I take 300mg three times a day and feel wonderful. No more anxiety, depression, constant worrying, and it works great for insomnia. The first night I took it, I slept 8 hours straight. I haven't slept that well in over 30 years. I had a few side effects such as slight dizziness and brain fog, but it passed in a few days. What's so great about it is it doesn't make me feel drugged. I just feel calm, clear-headed, and relaxed. I can focus on the important things in my life and stop needlessly worrying about things such as 'what if I can't sleep tonight?' 'What if I go into Walmart and have a panic attack?'. What if, what if... This drug is truly a lifesaver for me."

• Lbc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2014

For Fibromyalgia "I was given Neurontin by my orthopedic surgeon for nerve pain in my back before having a hip replacement. It dawned on me after a week or so, I had no fibromyalgia pain. After going over what I had been doing differently, I figured out it was the Neurontin. I googled it and found that the University of Cincinnati had tested it yielding positive results in treating fibromyalgia pain symptoms. My doctor has decided to continue the medicine as long as I am getting relief from the pain. I do have to say that the fibro fog is still a bit of an issue and I find my short-term memory is a bit glitchy. But, hey, that's what iPhones are for, right? Being pain-free is worth the trade-off. My brain is slowly acclimating. It's great to live and not just cope."

• Idk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I first started Gabapentin to address severe anxiety and depression as well as a drinking problem. At first, this drug was a miracle. For about a year and a half, I told everybody that this drug saved my life. I wasn't drinking, it had reduced depression, and almost no anxiety. However, over time, I started to notice that if I didn't take the medication within four or five hours of my last dose, I would have temporary withdrawal. This includes sweats, extreme irritability and anxiety, and an inability to focus. As mentioned in many other posts, it does very noticeably affect your memory. So while immediately helpful, in the long term, I have developed a dependency on this drug and experience withdrawal symptoms on a day-to-day basis, which is difficult to manage. I've been on this drug for over 2 years, with all different dosages, and I want to get off it now. It is an amazing temporary fix but leads to dependency and other mental stress."

• Jp ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 20, 2018

For Anxiety "You definitely feel weird and spaced out for a few days, but that will go away once your body gets used to it. I was prescribed 300mg 3X a day for pain. I also take OxyContin and Norco. It changed my whole life. My pain doctor didn’t know about the years I have suffered with PTSD, GAD, and severe tension. To the point where my muscles in my upper back, shoulders, neck, and back of my head, including my jaw would tense so much that I had constant headaches. So severe that I would vomit. This went on for years. I tried EVERYTHING! So little did I know that when the doctor added gabapentin, it would change everything. I got my first 8-hour sleep in over 20 years. It helped with all the pain. I started going for walks, cleaning my house, and doing projects again. I feel amazing! So please give it a chance to work. I know it feels weird and icky for a few days, but that does go away. Don’t give up."

• Ole...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2015

For Anxiety "I have GAD stemming from PTSD due to trauma in my past. I've been taking all sorts of medication for it for years, including Klonopin which I did not realize was habit-forming until after I started taking it. Then, last year, I switched doctors, and she refuses to prescribe benzos, especially since I had a problem with alcohol abuse. Last month, she prescribed me Neurontin, and I thought it wouldn't work, so I put off getting the script filled. But then it got to the point where I couldn't live with the anxiety, so I went and got the script filled just to give it a shot, and I'm so amazed at the difference it makes. I do not feel anxiety at all anymore, and even though it makes me kind of foggy, I can still function. I love this med."

• Tul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 18, 2020

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I've been taking Gabapentin for exactly 16 months as of today for AUD (alcohol use disorder). I no longer have alcohol cravings at all after being a very heavy drinker for 25 years. My doctor increased my dose gradually up to 400 mg 3 times a day. He's had to back me off to 200 mg as I was too 'foggy-headed' and dizzy at that dosage. But I have not touched any alcohol since day one, and abstinence has been relatively easy. I cannot recommend this treatment enough -- it's been awesome! Finally sober after 25 years!!!"

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I have Fibromyalgia which was diagnosed recently after many, many visits to GPs who told me it was a fancy name for depression and took me off dihydrocodeine and gave me 5mg of codeine. After many months of pain, I changed my doctor who prescribed much stronger painkillers and gabapentin. I immediately felt better with a little pain but nothing compared to what it was. So far, fingers crossed, no side effects except feeling very tired and a little 'spaced' out. Recommend this to anyone."

• Smu...
• November 8, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I have tried just about everything to manage my Fibromyalgia pain, and taking Percocet 24/7 was the only thing keeping me functional. The doctor put me on Gabapentin in an effort to wean me off the Percocet. So far, it's working, and I'm taking much less of the Percocet. I have 400mg/3x a day for typical days, and she prescribed 600 mg for my bad days. However, the 600 mg makes me feel very spacey and unable to focus, slightly headachey. It does help with the pain though. The pain is not gone completely, but I can function. Best I can hope for, I guess."

• kat...
• July 29, 2015

For Hot Flashes "After years of hot flashes... at least one per hour... plus sleep-depriving night sweats... my doctor suggested Gabapentin rather than hormones. Didn't really understand the drug until I did some research and read how it has helped other women. So, I took it... 300mg, at night, as prescribed... wow!!! I haven't slept that well in years!!!! Zero night sweats! The first two mornings after taking Gabapentin, I felt a little bit foggy-headed. But also a sense of calm that I really enjoyed. No more foggy mornings... it's been 1 week since I began taking Gabapentin. Still getting a solid 8 hours of sleep with no night sweats! I am one very happy woman!"

• gm9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Anxiety "Tried gabapentin at several doses for anxiety. Felt nothing from the 100 mg/3x day that my doctor started me at, so we upped it to 200 mg/3x day. I couldn't tell for certain whether it was making anxiety worse or still having no effect until we upped it to 300 mg/3x day when I knew that it was making me feel spacey, disconnected, and overall more anxious and unable to focus and think straight."

• sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 14 years ago. I have done the rigmarole of drugs for pain and sleep... spent years running on 2 hours of sleep here and there and was unable to function normally. Tramadol used to provide adequate pain relief, but my insurance stopped covering it, and I could not afford it after that. Muscle relaxants helped for a while, but over time they became less helpful. Eventually, I stopped taking them. Recently, my doctor put me on gabapentin, and for the first time in years, I got some real sleep, and my pain is dulled to a low roar. The brain fog happens when the dosage is increased but subsides after a few days... overall, I can function at a higher level than ever before. It is a good compromise for me!"

• Lon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2016

For Pain "I've been on it for 1 week now suffering from bad sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc L5-S1. I was taking 6-8 ibuprofen a day and was still in pain. With only the entry dose of 300 mg a day and 2 ibuprofen a day, I can function almost normally until this disc heals... absolutely amazing medication. I don't plan to ramp up to 900 mg a day, getting great results with the 300. I was a little fuzzy the first day, but fine after that."

• 25...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2017

For Pain "This drug has multiple uses. I was prescribed it for social anxiety, as a replacement for the clonazepam (Klonopin) I had been taking for several years. It has very mild but noticeable effects. It sort of grounds you and keeps you calm, but not in a drugged-out way. It also helps you sleep soundly. And for me, it gives my lower back a break of sorts from the constant spectrum of pain and discomfort. This is a kind of miracle drug in a way. I would suggest not drinking more than one alcoholic beverage if taking more than 300 mg at a time, because you might get a little loopy. But it won't make you dizzy and want to vomit like oxycontin or percocet. The potential for abuse exists in my opinion, so talk with your doctor about a treatment regimen."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2017

For Anxiety "In a chemical dependency program, I suffered from anxiety and insomnia. Gabapentin saved my life: 300 mg, 3 times a day, and 50 mg of Seroquel at night for sleep. I finally feel normal for the first time since my early 20s. I am 42. Best sleep ever: deep sleep with full dreams. Gabapentin made me feel a bit foggy for the first 2 weeks, but after settling in, I function fine, with normal energy and normal reactions to life. It has stabilized my appetite as well, I have actually lost 20 pounds in the past 6 weeks."

• Apo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2018

For Pain "Been on gabapentin for over a year now for pain in my spine, but now I have trouble thinking or getting out simple words, and I cannot go out by myself because I get these fits of feeling like I am drunk, which makes me feel like I am going to wobble out into traffic. I also get this pressure on my head, like someone is pressing on it all the time. I also have been feeling really down a lot, which is not nice. My moods have changed a lot, and what I used to care about, I no longer care about. This is a horrible medicine, and I would advise anyone not to take it, but that is my opinion and my experience with this drug."

• Rit...
• November 21, 2011

Neurontin (gabapentin) for Pain "I've been taking Neurontin now for 2 weeks, and it does help with the pain, but the side effects in my case are a hazy feeling, difficulty concentrating, feeling sleepy, and I've noticed I'm eating more. My doctor prescribed it together with Percocet for herniated discs, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteopenia, and a slew of other things. It does help, but I work as a secretary for a law firm, which means I have to greet everyone that walks in the front door. I cannot afford not to be alert, and this medication makes me feel like I don't want to or don't care to do anything. So what do I do? I need to take the medicines in order to be able to go to work, but when I get there, I don't want to do anything! Quite a dilemma!"

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been on gabapentin for roughly 2 years, and it has helped me. I have bipolar disorder, and nothing had worked. I was constantly depressed. So my doctor put me on this. I also take Pristiq, which is also good. I am also on lamotrigine. This is a great combination. At the beginning, I was loopy, but after my body got used to it, I was living my life like everyone else."

• kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2015

For Pain "I ruptured L5/S1 disc at work (I'm 58 years old). Nothing seemed to help with the pain until I asked about gabapentin and started taking 300 mg three times a day along with ibuprofen 600 mg. It does help a lot, but only when I combine it with ibuprofen. Without it, I really don't get relief. It does take some time for your body to adjust to it - I felt very foggy and drugged. I had trouble forming sentences for almost two weeks. It's a lot better now."

• Mum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2019

For Pain "I have been suffering with chronic pain due to tendinitis in various joints in my body. I have rheumatoid arthritis (I’m 48). I have been taking co-codamol and naproxen. The flare-ups have been constant. I also take methotrexate. I started taking 100 mg of gabapentin once a day for three days, then one twice a day. The pain was gone after 3 days! I don’t think I need to be on 2 a day. The side effects for me are a little strange. Very bad, violent nightmares that feel so real, leaving me in tears and feeling off all day. Fatigue, sedation, foggy brain, and slurred speech, almost like being drunk but not in a good way. The side effects apparently lessen as you go on. I’m seeing my GP soon and will discuss dosage. If 100 mg works for me, then I’ll stick to that. Oh, headaches and a cardboard feeling in my mouth. The tiredness is overwhelming. I want it to work as I don’t want to be in pain anymore. Good luck, everyone."

• Bri...
• December 17, 2015

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I've been on Neurontin for over 2 years now, 3200 mg daily / 800 mg four times daily. It is the only medication that effectively controls the idiopathic neuropathy in my feet. Lyrica was totally ineffective. I experienced serious 'brain fog,' fatigue, and short-term memory problems when I started Neurontin, but these side effects are now manageable. Neurontin has restored my quality of life to near normal."