Neurontin (Gabapentin) side effects

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to share this with everyone. I started on gabapentin about 6 weeks

ago and I take it now 300 mg in the morning and at supper and 600 mg at bedtime.

It did help me initially quite a bit. About 2 weeks ago, we were out at a

restaurant and i choked on a piece of meat. My husband had to do the Heimlich

maneuver on me and a piece of steak flew out of my lungs onto the table. Over

the last 2 weeks I have had trouble swallowing liquids and I feel as though

there is something stuck in my throat. I called my pain doc today and still

waiting for return call.

I looked up the side effects of gabapentin online and dysphagia, i.e. trouble

swallowing is one of the rare but real side effects. I am a totally healthy, 55

year old nurse with no other health problems but severe spinal stenosis and

degenerative disc disease. I thought I knew a lot about medications but this has

taught me that no medications are 100% safe and that we have to educate

ourselves and pay attention to our symptoms, feelings,etc. If I had been alone

and choked, I do not know that I would have had the wherewithal to Heimlich

myself. It was such a frightening experience for me. Now that I cannot take

neurontin (gabapentin) I imagine my pain will be less bearable.