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Gabapentin withdrawal?

Posted , 4 users are following.

joy1953
joy1953

Hi. I've very slowly weaned myself off Gabapentin taking the last dose about a week ago. I'm also taking 50mg Sertraline a day. Since stopping the Gabapentin I have felt very unwell. I wake every couple of hours during the night, when sleeping I have weird dreams, I have hot flushes, bouts of diarrhoea and flatulence, tiredness and lack of energy. A blood test result showed my inflammatory markers were raised - is it possible that all this is caused by Gabapentin withdrawal?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • babs99203
    babs99203 joy1953

    Posted

    I'm not familiar with the blood test you mean, but the symptoms could all be traced to gab withdrawal. It can take months for the body to recover and stabilize after your last dose. Also, you said "slowly weaned", that's rather subjective. I take at least 8 weeks between my 100 mg drop, others take only 2 weeks, others titrate and take micro drops. There are common areas of side effects but we're each different. There's a VERY wide range or problems that crop up during a taper or withdrawal and they can even vary with with drop. Ironically, I was just thinking about the same thing--I'm feeling unwell. My last drop was 6 weeks ago, from 700 to 600 mg. Two years ago I was at 2700 mg, so I drop slowly, but this one has been one of the hardest. Yes, no energy, crummy feeling all over etc. But I remind myself this is not unusual, I've had this other months, I just tend to forget.

    But CONGRATULATIONS on being off it! That's a huge accomplishment. Just be patient and realize there may still be ups and downs, but you're DONE with it. Good job.

  • mary25674
    mary25674 joy1953

    Posted

    yes everything Babs said Hang in there. I was om Gaba for 10 yrs Been in withdrawel since Nov 2017 Still have diarrhoea. Everything else is gone except memory lapses

  • JohnAk
    JohnAk joy1953

    Posted

    I Too tried to come off Gabapentin 2700 mg a day plus cocodamol . I had all the symptom you are describing .

    I was a complete mess. my doctor advised me to go back on them. So i did and now i am back on 2700 mg a day but feeling much better if i have to keep taking them so be it because they help with nerve pains which i suffer with . I still get forgetful and very tired but they help. I HOPEyou JOY can get sorted GOD BLESS

    • babs99203
      babs99203 JohnAk

      Posted

      If you tried cutting back by more than 10% every 4 weeks JohnAK, you may have had more problems. But remember, it's the DRUG that's causing these problems, and as it's decreased in your body, the damage to your brain creates the withdrawal. I agree, withdrawal isn't fun, but knowing you're helping your body and mine is worth the effort. It's a very powerful medication that doctors greatly underestimate. Add that to the other med you're taking, and that's a pretty strong mix of meds.

    • JohnAk
      JohnAk babs99203

      Posted

      HI Babs .I Fully agree with you.

      The meds i am taking help me with my condition of osteoarthritis

      and nerve dammage in my spine and hips. I Have had also a number of pain blocks injections into my Facet joints and spine.The meds do help me with a bit better of quality of life.even with all the side effects. God Bless

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