Is it gabapentin or heat that is making me so exhausted?

[Pressednotcrushed]

I have read through some of the threads on gabapentin and didn't see much discussion about exhaustion as a side effect. I may have not realized I was reading it though, I have been really spacy lately. I was Dxed on the 17th and started gabapentin right away.

The Dr said to take on pill for two days, 2 pills for 2 days, 3 pills for 2 days, and finally 4 a day. The pills are 300 mg.

I noticed right away that it stopped the burning for about 5 hours and then it came back so I was hopeful that as I increased my dosage it would finally find some relief. It seems to get rid of the irritating burning patches of skin.

I am still experiencing some thin strips of pain that are more sharp and throbbing than the burning patches. It feels like strips about the width of a pencil and a few inches long, they generally last for about an hour. I had them before but hadn't really noticed them as much because they were not as constant as the burning skin.

I have been very exhausted this last week and more spacy. I am not sure if it is because of the gabapentin or the heat.
I seem to only be able to stay away for 4-5 hours at a time and sleep for about the same. I am more alert at night when it cools down, so I thought it might be more heat related.

Here in Washington state we had a small heat wave a few weeks ago and I was more exhausted that normal then but not as bad as it is this time. Maybe it is a combination of both?

While talking to my husband about symptoms I may not have noticed he said that since I have been on the gabapentin I startle awake whenever something or someone wakes me up. Has anyone else experienced this?

Several times I have actually jumped out of bed. Maybe that is a good thing since it has been a long time since I have been able to move very quickly. At least I know I still can.

[Spydre]

It could be a combination of both, but for a while, as you are getting used to the gabapentin, you will be very fatigued - that's why they up the dose slowly - so you aren't as zombified. Any of the anti-convulsant meds would do that to you - gabapentin, topomax, etc., but I think the only anti-convulsants used are gabapentin and topomax.

[toes_aglow]

gabapentin and heat exhaustion


i have been on gabapentin for 12 years now, and have never been this tired and wrung out as i have been this summer. i limit my time in the heat, doing small things like watering the flowers, but when i come in the house and into a/c i am wiped out.

i do take numerous medications as well as the gabapentin, but i do notice the exhaustion more within the 2-4 hours after taking it. i have found the only thing i can do is nap constantly.

it doesnt make life easier, but at least when i get up i have a small window of time to get few necessities done. i know this may not help you, but at least you will know you are not alone.

[Cat Mom]

Probably a bit of both. Someone on this message board used the word "loopy" to describe how Gabapentin made her/him feel. It's a great description. If its making you tired, this will most likely dissipate as your body gets used to it. Good luck and hope you start feeling better soon.
Jen

[3uph0riabunnyfac3]

I was on 3 twice a day and it was definitely making the fatigue worse. I did nothing but sleep for the first month, but the nerve pain never went away, and the fatigue was so bad I was sleeping all day, so I tirated off. I did notice that the fatigue went away a little bit after leveling off and getting used to the dose. I hope this evens out for you!