Gabapentin and depression

Posted , 2 users are following.

I'm slowly tapering off this evil drug that had Me screaming in excruciating pain for 5 years. Every year I just got worse. Instead of decreasing My Doctor increased. He still doesn't agree with My decision to decrease but the pain and horrible deadly side effects are slowly going away. 6 weeks ago I couldn't keep My electrolytes balanced but today I'm ok. The Doctor even said He didn't believe Me when I told Him about that much pain. If You literally wear out Your adrenal glands to 2 percent function then I think that's a pretty good indicator that Your in pain!! High inflammation orCRP test of over 20 every Time!  Once I got to 14 in the last 3 years. I had no idea. I had been started on so many meds for the side effects of gabapentin. All the side effects seem to be about the same for each medicine. I feel You should be warned before starting gabapentin about all the side effects. A discussion with the Doctor prescribing it. Not the paper from the pharmacy. My depression hits really hard at night. I have to say over and over it's the medicine. It puts suicidale ideation in Your mind. Has there been as many problems for others as I've had and this taper off is harder than any opiate or benzo combined withdrawal!  Plus I can't imagine what happens to people who do heroin cut with this nightmare drug!  Thanks! Sherri

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Sherri, I am so sorry you are going through this ! When I found this site I had already started this drug and it was helping my leg pain a little at night by taking 900 mg a day but it didn't last long and naturally the Dr says increase but after reading nothing but BAD results there was no way I was increasing as I want to get off as you are doing now but have no idea where to start. How did you

    begin decreasing and how many mg did you take a day ? I have only been on this drug for 3 mts.but know I will have problems with getting off of it . Thanks for any help and advice and I do hope and pray you do this safely .

    • Posted

      I'm down to 1200 mg daily. My Doctor isn't much help. He put Me on duloxetine and now I have to withdrawal from that too. He also wants Me to start depakote!  Not going too!  No to Him. I'm using Klonopin but heard Ativan helps better. Doctor won't prescribe that because of Alzheimer's later in life. I'm just trying to make it that far!  Decrease is up to each Person. Some can cut 100 mg every 2 weeks but some cut 10 mg. If you feel the withdrawal had or much then you may need to go back up. Also after two hours from last dose of gabapentin then I use calms or magnesium I hot water at 250 mg per day. Not sure if helping but it was suggested. I'm trying just what makes sense and what others have successfully done. I will pray for You and let Me know if I can help you with anything! Sherri

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.