Just yesterday I answered a similar ? It is nasty stuff. Changes the brain chemistry and wiring. It is an anti seizure medication. Side effects? Memory loss, fatigue, dizziness, tiredness, edema, breast enlargement, aphasia, increased appetite (common 30Lb weight gain), bursts of irrational anger and possible aggression. Yes, I have been on it for herniated disks and radiculopathy for 9 years. At first it was very helpful, but I could not work on the dose they started me on. Presently It does diddly poop. I had weaned myself down slowly a few yrs ago to 600mg BID and plan to get off this crap after I heal from having bilateral cataract surgeries. BTW ~ Chemo accelerates cataracts. I will be 61 in a few days. Youngest one in the OR and eye MD office for this surgery! Best of luck to your friend. May she find acceptable pain relief. RN for 41 years, I wish I had known better.

I was only on gabapentin for 6 months for chemo induced neuropathy in fingers and feet. Side effects of mood swings, nausea and edema were my worst symptoms. It didn’t help the neuropathy much at all. Dr wanted me to try for a year but the mood swings and anger were very out of character for me so I refused. Also JayC10, I’m 67 but dealing with the accelerated cataracts from chemo as well. I’m having my pre-op this morning.

I was prescribed Gabapentin years ago when I was first diagnosed. I experienced awful side effects. It made me crazy. I couldn’t function. It’s prescribed for everything these days. Some people tolerate it very well. I’m not one of those people.

I've been on Gabapentin for years to help me sleep because of chronic pain. I only take it at night. I would suggest that you contact the doctor because everyone has different reactions to medications and any other meds may be causing reactions too. I do not have any problems with Gabapentin. But, that is just me.

I was on Gabapentin for about 2 years at first it was great but then the mood swings started I would snap back at everyone and I got to the point where I didn’t want to live anymore because of the way I felt it was awful told my doctor and he took me off it. He then put me on pregrablin which worked well no mood swings