Gabapentin and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Hon...
• May 18, 2021

For Pain "This is decent medication at a low dose like 100 mg twice a day, but the problem is the body will get used to that and will need a higher dose. A higher dose at 350 mg twice a day made me feel like I was drunk. People thought I was using heroin. I nodded off. I fell asleep standing at the ATM machine. So embarrassing. This stuff will make you have memory loss. You may think you see people who aren't there. It had people thinking I was doing hard street drugs. I wrecked my car on this medication, fell asleep standing in line at the grocery store, dropped too many drinks out of my hands to even count. This medication is awful, and for me, it is not beneficial due to the horrifying side effects. They give this stuff out in place of opiates. People are in rehab for this drug too. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor, stay away from this awful so-called medication."

• PMW...
• July 29, 2016

For Peripheral Neuropathy "Do your research. If the lowest dose of gabapentin does not work, higher doses will not either. I was prescribed GABA as soon as I was diagnosed with PN due to a side effect for a biologic I had been taking for rheumatoid arthritis. I experienced rapid weight gain, disorientation, and my short-term memory was non-existent. My neurologist increased my dosage 2x, with no success. I did some research on my own and spoke to my rheumatologist and pain management doctor. They both agreed: if the lowest dose doesn't work, then it won't work... It'll just cloud your mind. Stanford University published a study deterring the prescribing of this medication for neuropathy, as did the University of Vancouver, British Columbia. The efficacy rate is 10%."

• Ltb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Pain "NOT happy. Was given this to take at night only for nerve pain. Have bulging disc and pinched nerve. Did absolutely nothing positively, but am having horrible side effects and am going to stop it. Memory loss, grogginess throughout the day, fuzzy thinking, headache, eye pain."

• 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."

• Cro...
• December 19, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "300 mg of gabapentin was prescribed to me months ago. I use it 'as needed' for restless leg syndrome at bedtime. I also have anxiety and spondylitis, so it may have been a catch-22. It has worked for me... HOWEVER... I cannot see how anyone functions during the day on this med?! It makes me extremely floppy, sleepy, dopey, and forgetful! Everyone is different so I am only wanting to warn you to please be careful if you have a lot of responsibilities and stuff to take care of."

• Zxv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2017

For Anxiety "I have been battling severe anxiety and PTSD since I was a child. I am 43 years old. I have tried a vast majority of medications only to find out I don't react well to the majority. I have recently been hospitalized twice in the last two years due to an allergic reaction to benzodiazepines Klonopin and Ativan. Instead of decreasing my anxiety, it increased it to the point I was having suicidal ideations. I also endured extreme memory loss while on the benzodiazepines. My doctor prescribed me Neurontin, and a transformation occurred. I shed the anxiety and the depression and negative thoughts of doom. I have my life back!! I can live with side effects, I love being able to leave my house!"

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2012

Gabapentin for Anxiety "I guess it helps with the anxiety. It affects my memory horribly. I can't think of simple words, I miss exits on the freeway, I forget where I am going, etc. It makes me nauseous and gives me diarrhea. Just when I am starting to feel better, it is time to take it again. I take 100mg 3 times a day. I have only been on it a couple of weeks, so I keep hoping the side effects will go away. I still get anxious when I am faced with my main stressor, but it is not as severe (not the full-blown panic attack), just the pain in my stomach, choking in my throat, feeling like my heart is pounding in my head, chest, etc., so it does help some."

• Hol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I have been taking gabapentin for about 3 years for neuropathy pain and also restless leg syndrome. It has helped me enormously! I take two 300 mg a few hours before bed, and I actually get a full night's sleep, instead of waking up every couple of hours. I know one of the side effects is memory loss, but it is so slight for me. I could also toss that up to age too, though. I have noticed since I started taking it that I never remember any of my dreams (I used to remember them quite vividly, even days after). I really have no cons for this drug - it has worked very well for me."

• ecg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2017

For Insomnia "I was put on 300 mg at bedtime for better sleep with spinal pinched nerve, along with chiropractor care. At first, the sleep effect was awesome - no crazy dreams like trazodone, and no super quick tolerance built like Ambien, just good and regular sleep. However, after a month and going up to 600 mg for nerve pain, it bizarrely started to cause insomnia! The worst part about this med is the brain-erasing characteristic. I thought Ambien damaged my memory, but this far surpassed that because it lasted in the day to the point where I couldn't remember where things were or what day it was. My father takes it for spinal stenosis too and has no issues. Also, the posts about withdrawal syndrome are very real! It was hard to wean off."

• Rya...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 11, 2020

For Pain "I use this drug to help with neuropathic pain after fractured spine T4 & T5, so metalwork put in, and it is agony without pain help. Gabapentin cures it 100%. The pain can still be felt, but it is not as mentally crippling as it was before. There are side effects. I take 2700 mg per day over 3 doses. Weight gain from fluid retention, memory loss, motor movements affected, but you adapt. Also, a change in personality, for some, as for me, it simply boosted me as a person as I am not in that dark place anymore. You have to find the right dosage for this drug, and it takes a week or longer to adapt and go through initial side effects. If you need to come off, go very gradually."

• non...
• April 15, 2016

Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "Have been on this for over a month and each increase by my doctor provides no relief whatsoever. The last increase has resulted in severe dizziness, light-headedness, memory loss and forgetfulness, fatigue, racing thoughts during sleep, inability to sleep more than a few hours, and most importantly, no effect on the severe pain from postherpetic neuralgia. I will not be accepting another increase from the doctor, the side effects are intolerable, not to mention the side effects of weaning off this ineffective drug that I have yet to suffer."

• non...
• April 15, 2016

Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "Have been on this for over a month and each increase by my doctor provides no relief whatsoever. The last increase has resulted in severe dizziness, light-headedness, memory loss and forgetfulness, fatigue, racing thoughts during sleep, inability to sleep more than a few hours, and most importantly, no effect on the severe pain from postherpetic neuralgia. I will not be accepting another increase from the doctor, the side effects are intolerable, not to mention the side effects of weaning off this ineffective drug that I have yet to suffer."

• Mac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Gabapentin kept twitching muscles and nerves at bay. I found the side effects to be very annoying. I had cognitive issues while on Gabapentin, such as hunting for the correct word from my varying and large vocabulary. I also experienced memory (short term) problems. Now that I've tapered down to 300mgs 3 times daily, my memory has improved, and my vocabulary is coming back. I recommend this medication, yet, if you find yourself entering a room in your home and not knowing exactly why you are there, forgetting why you went there in the first place, blame it on the medication. You are not losing your mind, nor are you suffering from early-onset dementia!"

• Mac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Gabapentin kept twitching muscles and nerves at bay. I found the side effects to be very annoying. I had cognitive issues while on Gabapentin, such as hunting for the correct word from my varying and large vocabulary. I also experienced memory (short term) problems. Now that I've tapered down to 300mgs 3 times daily, my memory has improved, and my vocabulary is coming back. I recommend this medication, yet, if you find yourself entering a room in your home and not knowing exactly why you are there, forgetting why you went there in the first place, blame it on the medication. You are not losing your mind, nor are you suffering from early-onset dementia!"

• tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2017

For Pain "Pros: I actually feel the complete opposite from the side effects. Instead of depression or suicidal thoughts, I actually feel relieved and more energetic with motivation. Once the medicine kicked in and took the pain away in my spine, I felt so much relief, and I was able to get up and start cleaning my house and doing things I had trouble doing before. I think this is a great medicine. Cons: I have noticed some weight gain, I have been feeling like I can't get full, I feel like I am always hungry. So I eat, and then I am going to go get out and hike more or something to help with that issue. I have noticed some slight memory loss or forgetfulness. Gingko maybe? Lastly, I have noticed I have constipation and need to use a stool softener."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2017

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was prescribed Gabapentin for nerve entrapment-related pain. I'm 31, slightly overweight, but otherwise healthy according to my last round of physicals. I also am not diabetic. My doctor recommended 300 mg, three times per day. Gabapentin made me tired, forgetful, imbalanced, temperamental, emotional, dizzy, decreased my short-term memory, and ultimately made me sluggish in thought. The only thing Gabapentin did not do was relieve pain. I gave it 30 days before discontinuing. It took two months before my thoughts and memory were no longer sluggish. (I literally had delayed speech, slurred speech, and developed a stutter.)"

• egg...
• October 5, 2013

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking Gabapentin for 7 months while awaiting surgery for a laminectomy, nerve decompression, sacrum tear, and impinged nerves L3-S1. While I still require Oxycodone for pain relief, Gabapentin relieves 80% of my nerve pain. I can't tolerate Lyrica so we started on 900mg-1200mg in the hospital due to severe dis-coordination. Regular dose is now 2400mg per day. Side effects are occasional lethargy, some forgetfulness, and about 3kgs weight gain but I wouldn't be walking now without Gabapentin! If toleration is a problem, titrate up slowly because it's so worth persisting with!"

• mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2016

For Pain "I am a 20-year chronic pain survivor. I tried this med years ago after anterior and posterior spinal fusion of L1-S1. It made me dopey, sleepy, and confused. I am writing this review because my mom was recently hospitalized with severe sciatic pain. A week after failed injections, the 'pain specialist' felt this was the best route for her pain. She is 68 years old and sharp as a tack. I watched her all week get more and more short-term memory loss, confusion, loss of words, basically symptoms of early Alzheimer's, which there is no history of. There has been no pain relief to speak of. I am demanding they stop this nightmare tomorrow. I have read several other blogs that people are having the same issues, and they are 30 years younger."

• Dzi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Gabapentin has saved my sanity. I have severe RLS 24/7, all day, every day, no exception. I was put on Requip, which did nothing. I was then prescribed gabapentin, and my legs immediately calmed down. I couldn't believe it! I was ecstatic! I feel like a normal person again. It has caused some dizziness, balance issues here and there, and cognitive issues as well. But nothing I can't live with. I'm sure the symptoms will subside since I've only been on this medication for about a week. But it's worth it to stop that horrible feeling in my legs. I literally felt like I was going to lose my mind. This has been a miracle drug for me."

• Chr...
• January 23, 2019

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I started Gabapentin in 2010 with 400 mg 3X's daily. It worked tremendously for me. If I missed my dosage each passing hour, my pain level increased. Once I took it again after an hour, the pain decreased. My pain management doctor eventually suggested increasing my dosage 100 mg with each increase until I took 800 mg 3X's a day in 8 years. Then I noticed a sudden loss of memory when I spoke. At 800 mg, I became tipsy and began back-stepping. Also, I felt the increased dosage wasn't meeting my need. I suspected a connection with the high increase, so I decreased back to 400 mg. At which time the negative effects ceased and the results for pain relief remained equal to the increased levels of Rx, which currently is not sufficient because my doctor said that I eventually bottomed out and the Rx no longer served its purpose in my treatment regimen. I still take Gabapentin, but I'm searching for something else."

• Jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 14, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "I have been on gabapentin for over 15 years. I love this medication for my fibromyalgia. The only reason I didn't give it a 10 is because I do have short-term memory loss. That is one of the side effects. It also has been wonderful for my restless legs at night."

• Fak...
• July 31, 2016

For Anxiety "I have to say, it's been working very well for me. I'm more confident, and I love being around people way more than before. But sometimes I feel very dizzy, and I'm all over the place. I forget everything, and I feel kind of lost. I feel like my brain is on slow motion. The worst thing is I can't make love anymore. It's really hard to stimulate me, and sometimes I can't even ejaculate. It brought me peace inside, but I don't feel things anymore. Never happy, never too sad. I don't enjoy food. (Sorry for terrible English.)"

• Lil...
• September 26, 2015

For Pain "I've been on gabapentin for several years, and it was originally for back pain. I had my L4/5 disc fused, then six years later had a spinal cord stimulator put in. Four surgeries later, I have had no relief at all. I've been on 300 mg three times a day, but recently my neurologist decided that I should actually take 600 mg three times a day because I've been suffering from migraines since age seven. The thing that I've noticed is that my memory is off. I will be in a drive-thru and have a list of items that I want off the menu, and as soon as they ask me what I want, I draw a blank and look at my son like 'HELP.' At first, I didn't think anything of it, but now it's becoming a habit. Why??"

• got...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 4, 2017

For Pain "Take it from me that has chronic pain for over 35 years and will try anything to get out of pain. My doctor gave me a prescription for gabapentin and wow, what a nightmare after years of taking it!! You will lose your memory!! Please take some advice, get off it as soon as you can. This will ruin your life or memory, that is for sure. Just remember you have been warned. It does not work for pain or nerves like they say!! It's a shame it took me so many years to get away from that junk!"