Can Gabapentin Cause Legs To Feel Heavy When Walking?

Have spinal stenosis. Also diabetes. Some neuropathy. Had 2 epidurals and physical therapy which helped decrease pain in legs to a bearable level. Had 3 acupuncture treatments. Thought helped after 1st one but after 2nd and 3rd legs hurt more so I didn't go back. Doctor put me on Gabapentin which helps the neuropathy. One day legs started feeling like they weigh 50 pounds each which has affected my balance tremendously. So now I am wondering if possibly caused by Gabapentin.
Anyone else on it with heavy legs?

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I take 2700 mg a day of Gabapentin. I'm 71. I also have cervical spinal stenosis, diabetes 2 and lots of
arthritis. Also take 300 mg of tramadol a day and a number of other drugs for psychiatric reasons as well as drugs for blood pressure and cholesterol. I even drink a few beers most days. I have no side effects from anything that I know of. No heavy legs or anything strange.
I doubt if Gabapentin is the problem with your legs. Check with your doctor.

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Yes the same thing happened to my husband, the doctor told him to give it 2 weeks it takes awhile to get in the blood stream and it calmed down. But remember all drugs have side effects even if yours is not listed it could happen to you and not someone else. I wish you luck with this med I hope it helps.

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@Beb,

In actuality, there are several side effects of Gabapentin listed by the US National Institute of Health that could very well correlate with the heaviness you're describing, including but not limited to:

swelling in your ankles, feet or legs
unusual tiredness or weakness
lack or loss of strength
change in walking and balance

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0045606/#DDIC600709.side_effects_section

With these side effects listed word for word by a "reputable" government agency, it is my humble opinion that you are not just imagining things and that Gabapentin is more than likely the culprit.

I hope you've gotten around to feeling better since the timing of your post!

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Yes. My legs feel heavy and after a couple of weeks feel and legs swell.

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Re: Burbot (# 1)
I still don't think that gabapentin would likely cause heavy legs syndrome. I have cervical spinal stenosis and a few problems with my back. Although gabapentin works well for me it might not be enough for you. Maybe Lyrica, or even more surgical procedures might be the answer. I see a pain management doctor whose main specialty is procedures rather than drugs, although he does prescribe some too. I had many spinal cervical steroid epidural injections, several nerve block injections, trigger point injections, and finally a rhizotomy which finally did the most good. I was on the verge of invasive neck surgery until the rhizotomy.
I think your heavy leg syndrome is might require further medical procedures.

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I just looked up this page because my legs weigh a ton again after starting back on Gabapentin 900 mg per day. I was on it before and it got to the stage where I almost couldn’t stand long enough to shower. I went on holidays and forgot to take it with me and my legs got better so yeah I won’t be taking them anymore!

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Yes I've been on it for about 5 years and the last couple weeks my legs feel heavy I have a hard time sleeping

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