Tradd
4-22-18, 11:53am
I had a bout of shingles about a month ago (see grocery delivery thread). Rash was on my left buttock, right on top of where my sciatica symptoms are. Doc put my on 900mg of Gabapentin a day (3 capsules). My residual shingles issues are skin numbness on my left knee, plus on inside of leg a bit above and below knee.
About a week after the shingles, I was pretty okay walking. Went to the dive shop one night to get tanks that had been inspected. Moved tanks in/out of my car well enough and into my apartment (I always move them in one of those collapsible wagons). The next day, it was like I was crippled. I was having extreme difficulty walking, but I just pushed through it. After a week, I went got a physical therapy eval. I was told I have "significant muscle weakness" in my left leg. For example, I have issues lifting my left leg to get into my car. If I'm in a hurry, I'll just grab my leg and pull it into the car. i started PT last week, 2 sessions so far. 10 total. I have exercises that I'm doing at home. But if I put too much weight on my left leg, it collapses. If I'm going too quickly and not being deliberate about my walking, I'll fall. I've had 3-4 falls. Nothing hurt but my pride.
I've had bum knees for years, but they been hurting more after I began taking the gabapentin. At first I just thought it was because I was putting more strain on them due to having trouble walking due to leg weakness, but now I'm not so sure.
The leg issue is affecting my diving in a a major way. First dives of the season yesterday at the local quarry. 45 degree water. My left leg wasn't kicking very well. I fell when coming out of the water at the quarry beach area. My feet were somewhat cold, but my left leg just wasn't cooperating much.
I've been doing some searching online. Muscle weakness is a side effect of gabapentin. Joint pain, as well. I'm finding lots of instances of people posting in various places that they had muscle weakness or joint issues that began after taking gabapentin. I'm beginning to suspect my issues stem more from gabapentin than from shingles. But you just can't stop taking gabapentin. You risk withdrawl seizures if you do (it was originally a drug for seizures). I've already gone down to 600mg a day, simply by forgetting to take it at lunch. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow.
Have any of you or anyone you know had these issues from gabapentin, regardless of the reason it was being taken?
ETA: I went from very active (before shingles, doing 1 mile in the pool 3-4x a week) to barely active. I swam twice after shingle diagnosis (when blisters weren't present) and I was OK. Now, I've not gone because I wouldn't be able to walk from a far parking spot (I rarely get a close up spot) into the gym carrying my gear bag. I'm going back to the pool today, hauling stuff in my collapsible wagon.
About a week after the shingles, I was pretty okay walking. Went to the dive shop one night to get tanks that had been inspected. Moved tanks in/out of my car well enough and into my apartment (I always move them in one of those collapsible wagons). The next day, it was like I was crippled. I was having extreme difficulty walking, but I just pushed through it. After a week, I went got a physical therapy eval. I was told I have "significant muscle weakness" in my left leg. For example, I have issues lifting my left leg to get into my car. If I'm in a hurry, I'll just grab my leg and pull it into the car. i started PT last week, 2 sessions so far. 10 total. I have exercises that I'm doing at home. But if I put too much weight on my left leg, it collapses. If I'm going too quickly and not being deliberate about my walking, I'll fall. I've had 3-4 falls. Nothing hurt but my pride.
I've had bum knees for years, but they been hurting more after I began taking the gabapentin. At first I just thought it was because I was putting more strain on them due to having trouble walking due to leg weakness, but now I'm not so sure.
The leg issue is affecting my diving in a a major way. First dives of the season yesterday at the local quarry. 45 degree water. My left leg wasn't kicking very well. I fell when coming out of the water at the quarry beach area. My feet were somewhat cold, but my left leg just wasn't cooperating much.
I've been doing some searching online. Muscle weakness is a side effect of gabapentin. Joint pain, as well. I'm finding lots of instances of people posting in various places that they had muscle weakness or joint issues that began after taking gabapentin. I'm beginning to suspect my issues stem more from gabapentin than from shingles. But you just can't stop taking gabapentin. You risk withdrawl seizures if you do (it was originally a drug for seizures). I've already gone down to 600mg a day, simply by forgetting to take it at lunch. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow.
Have any of you or anyone you know had these issues from gabapentin, regardless of the reason it was being taken?
ETA: I went from very active (before shingles, doing 1 mile in the pool 3-4x a week) to barely active. I swam twice after shingle diagnosis (when blisters weren't present) and I was OK. Now, I've not gone because I wouldn't be able to walk from a far parking spot (I rarely get a close up spot) into the gym carrying my gear bag. I'm going back to the pool today, hauling stuff in my collapsible wagon.