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Gabapentin - long lasting side effects?

Posted , 7 users are following.

maureen90295
maureen90295

Hi All

I stopped Gaba 2 weeks ago today (tapered down from 4 x 300mg over a period of 3 weeks).  Like some others on here, I developed painful joints and muscles whilst on this med.  Am still experiencing these pains two weeks on although a little less severe.  GP says drug should be out of my system now and doesn't believe that Gaba was/is to blame.  

Anyone got any views/experiences of this?  If so, did the side effects continue long after you stopped the drug?

Thanks.

0 likes, 36 replies

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  • pam5133
    pam5133 maureen90295

    Posted

    Hi all-

    I have been officially off for exactly 51 days, after taking massive doses for five years and then titrating from 3600 to 100 over 18 months. July 11 was my last dose of 100 mg.

    First month was hell - everything everybody reports: suicidal feelings, intolerable anxiety, hideous nausea and rebound pain - and second month has been only a bit better. Good news is that these things are moderating now: nausea now mostly gone with occasional bouts of stomach pain, sleeping a bit better, having more periods free of that intolerable anxiety. Hang in people

    • maureen90295
      maureen90295 pam5133

      Posted

      Thanks Pam.  Hope it continues to go well for you.  Keep posting.

      Maureen

    • Shumate
      Shumate pam5133

      Posted

      Hi Pam.  Wow.   Thank you so very much for telling us of your experiences; it truely gives me additional motivation to stay the course.  Today is my 12th day off of gabapentin/methadone, and, I was only on it for a few months.  I can't imagine having been on it for 5 years.  I wish you well in your continued recovery.  Hang in there!

    • Eowyn33
      Eowyn33 pam5133

      Posted

      Hi Pam.  Thanks for sharing.  It is encouraging to hear from someone who has stopped and to know that it does get better.  Also nice to know that I'm not the only one who experienced anxiety and suicidal feelings with withdrawal!  I'll be dropping down to 100mg this weekend so not long to go now before I'm off.   I can't wait for the day when I can say i'm free of Gabapentin!

  • maureen90295
    maureen90295

    Posted

    Hello Everyone.  How are you all doing?  My joint and muscle pains are not improving and ortho is now asking rheumatology to look at my blood results.  Still convinced gaba has kicked off all of this stuff.  
    • Eowyn33
      Eowyn33 maureen90295

      Posted

      Hi Maureen.  I've been off completely for a week now (yay!) and am starting to have less nausea.  Actually had my first nausea-free day this year.  Still have chronic headache but it is improving.  As for the aches and pains, mine are no better or worse - but fibromyalgia pain was the reason for the medication in the first place.  It appears that fibromyalgia can start as a result of trauma (physical or emotional) or illness.  I hope for your sake that the pain improves. I wonder if a physiotherapist might be able to offer a suggestion about your pain - eg does it respond to anti-inflammatory treatment? hot/cold treatment? They seem to be a bit more clued up than GP's when it comes to determining whether it is muscle, joint or connective tissue (in my experience).

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