For those of us living with M.E. and chronic pain, life is already a balancing act, juggling symptoms, energy levels, and the constant need to advocate for ourselves in a system that often doesn’t understand. But now, thanks to new research, there’s another layer of complexity to navigate: the growing concern that Gabapentin, a drug many of us rely on to manage nerve pain, may be quietly increasing our risk of cognitive decline and even dementia. For people like me, with Alzheimer’s and Dementia on both sides of the family, that’s not just a theoretical risk, it’s a gut-punch.
A recent study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine analysed the medical records of over 26,000 adults prescribed Gabapentin for chronic low back pain. The findings were sobering:
- People who received six or more prescriptions were 29% more likely to develop dementia and 85% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) within ten years.
- The risk was even higher in younger adults aged 35–64, with dementia risk more than doubling and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) risk more than tripling.
- Those with 12 or more prescriptions saw the risk of dementia jump to 40%, and MCI to 65%.
I was put onto Gabapentin by my GP in December 2024 to deal with the onset of nerve pain in my knee, arms, and neck. The dosage was increased to 300mg three times per day by my spinal specialist, when I complained the lower dose wasn’t touching my pain levels, in March. For the past few months, I have noticed that my cognitive impairment has been getting steadily worse. What I don’t know is whether this is due to the Gabapentin or any of the other factors that have been plaguing me for the last few months – I have no idea!
This newly exposed issue isn’t just about older adults. It’s about people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, many of whom are already dealing with brain fog, memory lapses, and cognitive fatigue from M.E. itself. Far more research is needed to see if this has implications for early-onset Dementia.
Now, I (we) face a very difficult decision: do I (we) continue taking Gabapentin and risk worsening cognitive impairment, potentially speeding up the onset and increasing the risk of dementia, or stop taking it and face a surge in pain levels that can be debilitating, isolating, and downright cruel.
For many, Gabapentin has been a lifeline. It’s one of the few medications that offers some relief without the addictive risks of opioids. But now, that lifeline feels frayed. And the worst part? There’s no clear alternative. No magic pill. No easy fix. I have already discovered I am allergic to some of the alternatives including Amitriptyline and am participating in physio for my cervical spine issues.
Living with M.E. already means navigating a healthcare system that often dismisses our symptoms, underestimates our pain, and overlooks the complexity of our condition. Now we’re being asked to make decisions that could further affect our long-term brain health, without adequate support, guidance, or even acknowledgment from many clinicians.
If you’ve got a family history of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, like I do, the stakes feel even higher. Every moment of forgetfulness becomes a question mark. Every lapse in concentration feels like a warning sign.
This isn’t just a medical issue, it’s a human one. People with M.E. and chronic pain deserve more than a choice between pain and potential dementia. We deserve treatments that respect our bodies and our minds; we deserve to be part of the conversation, not just passive recipients of risk.
If you’re in this boat too, know you’re not alone. Let’s keep talking, keep pushing, and keep demanding better.
Love Sally
(and Foggy OBVIOUSLY)