[DDubzzz]

Hi all I have a question regarding gabapentin.

I've noticed some strange side effects and am curious if anyone else has experienced these odd but definitely noticeable.

First, my mouth is very dry to the point where it seems like my tongue has thrush. Second, I have one red eye. Third, my stools are unusually black (sorry if tmi). Finally, a persistent headache from clenching and grinding my jaw. I have been taking 900 a day split in 3 doses for about maybe 3 months. These are new side effects and wonder if it's this medication, clonazepam or the Lamictal I've recently started taking. I've been at 200 mgs of Lamictal since last Thursday after a very slow raise in dosages over the course of quite a few weeks.

My Pdoc has suggested that my reactions to medication are atypical. I feel like a spinning hampster in search of the right combo. I'm happy with the results of these 3 meds. The Lamictal had given me a newfound vitality and go get em energy that has greatly impacted my life for the better. The gabapentin is a miracle for my usual insomnia and disruptive sleep. The clonazepam is very helpful for my constant debilitating anxiety.

BUT, if the headaches and black stool and the thrush painful tongue persist. I need to dump one of these meds or even two or all three.

thanks for any feedback



Desiree

[ChangingMyMind]

Hi Desiree, I have not taken any of these but my grandmother takes gabapentin and said it makes her teeth shut on their own really hard sometimes and that it causes grinding as well. So the part about headaches due to grinding sounds plausible. Although have you been taking gabapentin long? Seems like it would come from the newest med but you never know.

[HALLIEBETH87]

It causes grinding?? omg. Ive taken it for a yr or so and I just was diagnosed with TMJ. I take it for anxiety and it seems to help. But I clench a lot.

[Yoda]

I don't have any of that and I've been on neurontin since 2007. Everyone is different though. Talk to your pdoc or pharmacist.

[DDubzzz]

I'm thinking the Lamictal but my pdoc disagrees that it causes bruxism it has to be! I've been doing some reading and in fact this is a mentioned side effect of both medications but this hasn't presented itself until I introduced Lamictal to my medication

Desiree

[Angelique67]

I've been on gabapentin since 2002 and it can cause grinding in me. The stool thing might be more what you're eating. Try eating nothing but garbanzo beans for a couple days and see if there's a change. Good luck.

[DDubzzz]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

I've been on gabapentin since 2002 and it can cause grinding in me. The stool thing might be more what you're eating. Try eating nothing but garbanzo beans for a couple days and see if there's a change. Good luck.

Well I love hummus does that count?

Desiree

[ChangingMyMind]

I hope it eases up. My guess would be Lamictal since it's new but that would be a bummer. I had the same problem on Celexa and was diagnosed with TMJ in 2013... It got to the point where I was having vertigo every day due to tight muscles in the neck from clenching. Not fun!

Doc wants me on Lamictal and think I will have to try it now... So I hope it doesn't aggregate my TMJ or cause grinding!

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by DDubzzz

Well I love hummus does that count?

Desiree

Sure. And have lots of water and clear liquids, try to stay away from dark liquids like coffee tea and Cola while you're testing this, just to give it a good try.

Just to add, I think the fiber value should be the same. I just eat the beans straight from cans when I have problems like this. Tons of fiber, protein, etc. I always feel so much better after I eat garbanzos for a couple days and the issues can be tested safely.

[DDubzzz]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Sure. And have lots of water and clear liquids, try to stay away from dark liquids like coffee tea and Cola while you're testing this, just to give it a good try.

Just to add, I think the fiber value should be the same. I just eat the beans straight from cans when I have problems like this. Tons of fiber, protein, etc. I always feel so much better after I eat garbanzos for a couple days and the issues can be tested safely.

Good info THANKS

Desiree

[Angelique67]

I hope you'll feel better!

[DDubzzz]

Ps I LOVE lamictal and hope my pdoc doesn't change this over the bruxism

Desiree

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by DDubzzz

Ps I LOVE lamictal and hope my pdoc doesn't change this over the bruxism

Desiree

I hope so too. I hope it will all work out well.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

I hope it eases up. My guess would be Lamictal since it's new but that would be a bummer. I had the same problem on Celexa and was diagnosed with TMJ in 2013... It got to the point where I was having vertigo every day due to tight muscles in the neck from clenching. Not fun!

Doc wants me on Lamictal and think I will have to try it now... So I hope it doesn't aggregate my TMJ or cause grinding!

I take lamictal and gabapentin and I clench/grind. I have had a horrible time for a yr til I got diagnosed with TMJ and now I wear a bite splint when I sleep. It helps!

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I take lamictal and gabapentin and I clench/grind. I have had a horrible time for a yr til I got diagnosed with TMJ and now I wear a bite splint when I sleep. It helps!

Halliebeth87,

I also wear a night guard at night now and it does help me as well. Problem was on the Celexa I would clench often throughout the day and couldn't seem to control it. Since I've been off the Celexa I've been able to keep my TMJ under control. I no longer clench during the day. I learned though a physical therapist that my teeth should not touch during the day and how to keep them apart. After some practice I got it down pretty well. Then I wear my night guard to bed and I'm good for the most part. Sometimes it flares up and I see the PT. Best thing is I don't have to take pain killers or muscle relaxers anymore. I hate taking any kind of med for a long period of time because of side effects.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I was told "Lips together, teeth apart"

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I was told "Lips together, teeth apart"

Pretty much... Although they told me to also make sure my tongue is at the roof of my mouth and not touching my front teeth... If comfortable. That is what I focused on along with keeping my teeth apart.

[ChangingMyMind]

@DDubzzz did the dry mouth, red eye, clenching/grinding ever go away? How are you doing on Lamictal?

[DDubzzz]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

@DDubzzz did the dry mouth, red eye, clenching/grinding ever go away? How are you doing on Lamictal?

Clenching is getting better. I've found with every increase w the Lamictal dose the side effects rip me up, but I adjust. Still clenching but not to the point of headaches anymore.
Think the red eye is the Gabapentin and I've read women in my age group 30-39 are more prone to this eye side effect. I've also read that even after discontinuing sometimes the red eye won't go away. Not to thrilled about that. People think I'm stoned on marijuana which I don't do unless I can't sleep I take a cannabis tincture. That helps. I live in Washington BTW LOL so, it's legal and ok for me to do that. But I don't smoke or tincture during day as it aggravates my anxiety.

Desiree

[ChangingMyMind]

I'm glad the clenching is getting better! But sorry to hear more side effects are hitting you. What kind of stuff are you experiencing?

[DDubzzz]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

I'm glad the clenching is getting better! But sorry to hear more side effects are hitting you. What kind of stuff are you experiencing?

Just an amped up feeling like I drank 10 gallons of espresso. That's usually the side effects I get when he increases my dose.
Anxiety doesn't like that but again it subdued within a week or so after my dose increase.
Thanks for asking. You're so kind

Desiree

[ChangingMyMind]

Oh ok... Well that's not too bad. I know the feeling isn't good for anxiety but at least it calms down.

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by DDubzzz

People think I'm stoned on marijuana which I don't do unless I can't sleep I take a cannabis tincture. That helps. I live in Washington BTW LOL so, it's legal and ok for me to do that. But I don't smoke or tincture during day as it aggravates my anxiety.

Well, that's nice you have the option! I'm from Oregon and really miss the PNW! I am planning to move to Seattle soon. Then maybe I'll try some cannabis for my issues. Although when smoked a few times as a teenager it gave me anxiety so may not be helpful. Although I remember it being the best sleep aid ever. So possibly for that use and not the kind that gets you stoned. I don't like the feeling.

I hear there is a strain (forgive my ignorance, I don't know much about weed) that doesn't get you high but has antidepressant/antianxiety effects. Seems worth trying. Have you heard of it or tried it? Sorry this is a bit off topic I guess but I am curious.

[DDubzzz]

Originally Posted by ChangingMyMind

Well, that's nice you have the option! I'm from Oregon and really miss the PNW! I am planning to move to Seattle soon. Then maybe I'll try some cannabis for my issues. Although when smoked a few times as a teenager it gave me anxiety so may not be helpful. Although I remember it being the best sleep aid ever. So possibly for that use and not the kind that gets you stoned. I don't like the feeling.

I hear there is a strain (forgive my ignorance, I don't know much about weed) that doesn't get you high but has antidepressant/antianxiety effects. Seems worth trying. Have you heard of it or tried it? Sorry this is a bit off topic I guess but I am curious.

I believe the strain you are referring to is CBD. And yes I've tried it and yes worked for my anxiety immensely and have heard the same for depression. But like you I can't do cannabis SPESH in the day because my anxiety goes through the roof. But yes it's a wonderful NATURAL sleep aid. So many side effects with big pharma. Cannabis is really a wonder herb. Not necessarily for mental health but physical ailments and diseases such as cancer. The strain CBD doesn't give you the stoned feeling and is reported to be best for anxiety, depression AND many other things for patients who aren't looking to get "high". The new Nectar/oil has been showed to actually cure skin cancer and others have reported their cancer went into what's the word...remission? Or basically started to go away. I'm blown away by what I've read.
Yes off topic but in a way it's all combined. As the gabapentin is a miracle for my sleep and occasionally tincture, unisom, or melatonin.
My biggest monster in my head and body is anxiety and depression from bereavement. Doc thinks bi-polar, hence the Lamictal and Gabapentin and clonazepam.
Also I'm noticing my tongue is getting a thrush like coating on it and it hurts. I don't know if this is the Gabapentin or not. But, I hope not as it helps with the physical anxiety and sleep.

Desiree

[DDubzzz]

Ps- seattle is amazing. I live in the San Juan islands if your familiar with that area. It's dubbed the crown jewel of the PNW.

Desiree