A personal journey through Gabapentin's unexpected cognitive side effects and the struggle to reclaim mental clarity after prescription drug damage. Brain fog is not a common side effect of gabapentin, but it has been reported in some people taking the drug. The possible cause of gabapentin fog may be related to how the drug works. Gabapentin decreases electrical signals in the brain. This may lead to feelings of confusion or mental fatigue. Gabapentin long-term side effects extend beyond the brain. Users may experience blurred vision, dizziness, muscle weakness, and coordination problems. These physical symptoms often accompany cognitive complaints, compounding the drug’s overall impact on daily functioning. There is a new and unexpected complication: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD: An Unexpected and Worrisome Complication! Most people are swallowing gabapentin for conditions that the FDA has never approved and for which there may be modest scientific support. Head and brain zaps are also common when taking multiple medications due to how the multiple medications can interact with each other and the body. If you believe medication isn’t causing your head and brain zaps, they can also be caused by anxiety and the stress it causes. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADS) can cause a “brain zap” side effect after stopping Lexapro. Here’s what causes them, according to a psychiatrist. Sometimes brain zaps can occur with other signs of antidepressant withdrawal, such as headaches, tiredness, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. The exact biological cause of brain zaps is not well understood. Most antidepressants work by increasing the amount or activity of serotonin in the brain. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gabapentin: More common in children. Some side effects of gabapentin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Brain zaps are one of several symptoms experienced during “antidepressant discontinuation syndrome,” a condition affecting people tapering off antidepressants. However, the truth is that brain zaps are one of the most common side effects of antidepressants that often shows up when people stop taking certain medications (Onton, 2018). Based on the study published in the UK journal “Addictive Behaviors,” over 56% of people who are withdrawing from antidepressants experience brain zaps. Explore gabapentin's effects on mental function, memory, and cognition. Learn about managing side effects and balancing therapeutic benefits with potential risks. Brain zaps are electrical shock sensations in the brain. They usually occur when a person stops or reduces their dosage of antidepressants. Learn more here. Brain zaps, also known as “brain shakes,” “brain shocks,” “brain flips,” or “brain shivers,” are sensations you may feel when stopping selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The most common gabapentin (Neurontin) side effects are dizziness and drowsiness. This may affect your ability to drive or perform other activities. Other gabapentin side effects include edema (fluid buildup), weight gain, and eye problems, but these aren’t as common. Rare but serious gabapentin side effects include mood changes in children. Lateral eye movement seems to be a trigger for brain zaps, a common and negative side effect of antidepressant withdrawal. Brain zaps are a common reference to the tingling, jolting, or electric-shock-like sensations that can occur in the body and brain. My mother and I both take gabapentin and neither one of us have ever experienced brain shocks from it. I went back and reviewed the list of potential side effects for this medication and that is not one listed. However, I would really suggest you check with your doctor or pharmacist about it. There are other medications, particularly antidepressants, that can cause brain shocks or zaps. You These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than 1 in 100 people. They're usually mild and go away by themselves. There are things you can do to help cope with them: As your body gets used to gabapentin, these side effects should wear off. Gabapentin can be an effective treatment for brain damage symptoms such as neuropathy, seizures, and autonomic dysfunction. However, it is not without side effects or risks. Common side effects of gabapentin include: flulike symptoms such as fever or body aches. Rare but serious side effects of gabapentin include: changes in memory, ability to concentrate, or personality. Gabapentin may cause breathing problems in people who use opioid pain medicines and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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