Gabapentin Suddenly Making Me Tired. Common?

[Asparagus_Prince]

I've been on Gabapentin for nearly a decade. I take it as needed. Other than some exceptions I've never really abused it. I"m prescribed 600mg per day but my average script lasts me 50 days (as opposed to the 30 day minimum).

When I used to take 600mg at a time I would feel slightly lifted up as though it's a stimulant. Other opioids have that effect on me, too. But here lately 600mg tends to do the opposite. Like right now I'm fighting the temptation to sleep because I took 600mg a few hours ago. That never used to happen!

And when I used to take 900mg I'd feel semi-high but in a functional way. But the last couple times I've taken that dosage it's sayonara, goodnight.

It's still effective for my pain but the reversal in the stimulant/downer element is puzzling me. Anyone have a similar experience? Or have any theories why this is?

 

[Deleted member 585202]

Taking anything new it could be interacting with?

 

[Asparagus_Prince]

No.

I used to wonder if Kratom was interacting with it. I would rarely take Kratom and Gaba together. But I wondered if sometimes Kratom would still be in my system enough the next day to interact with Gabapentin. But as I type this I haven't had Kratom in nearly a month.

 

[Allylbenzene]

It might be a metabolic cause; metabolic balance can shift over time.
The metabolic system (thyroid, mitochondria) makes energy and protective (potent GABA) hormones.

Do you drink coffee or take any other meds/hormones? or use any anti-thyroid things?

 

[Asparagus_Prince]

1-2 cups of coffee in the morning and the only other meds I take are Adderall and Statins. But those 3 drugs have been pretty consistent during my Gaba usage.

I've had some Kratom binges in recent years. Also in recent years I take more THC edibles. Not a lot, maybe twice per week. But that's more than in my early Gaba days. Those would be the only 2 "med changes" or inconsistencies I can think of.

 

[Allylbenzene]

How long have you been taking statins?
Do you take CoQ10 and vitamin K2 to mitigate their effects?

Based on how statins work it's likely that they are involved.
This picture shows what mitochondria do (each cell contains thousands) - they turn cholesterol into protective hormones.
The body makes cholesterol for brain tissue, nerve insulation and as a precursor for all hormones.

(image from here)

Cholesterol is a precursor for all hormones:

Statins stop more than just cholesterol, they also stop production of dolichol and CoQ10:

 

[Asparagus_Prince]

How long have you been taking statins?

Longer than I've been on Gabapentin.

But nevertheless you may still have a point. I'll have to look into it closer, including your charts which I appreciate.

I started taking CQ10 once but got out of the habit.

I hate being on Statins but my bad cholesterol was so off the charts even back when I was young and healthy. It runs in my family.

 

[Allylbenzene]

Here's a better image on the impact of statin drugs. The things in green all play important roles.