Gabapentin Withdrawal Horror
Posted , 180 users are following.
I want to start by giving an apology for my doubts towards patients who posted about problems with gabapentin withdrawal. How hard could it be? It has a short half life. It is not an opioid.
My plan was to write about my extremely painful and unexpected withdrawal experience after I felt better, but it has been FIFTEEN months.
I was on 1800-3600 mg /day for 20 years. My physician put me on a six day weaning schedule. The day I took my last dose my pain skyrocketed, but the pain has changed from low back to toes pain, to pain mostly to my anterior legs below my knees. Unfortunately, it is a very slow process. The internal nerve shaking that accompanies the pain is beyond annoying.
I often read patients on forums stating they have no problem with gabapentin. I did not think my problems were that terrible before I went off the drug. They all come with cautions and potential problems. I wish I had known of how difficult this drug was to discontinue before I had ever taken the first pill. I wish someone had warned me.
Good luck to everyone trying to discontinue gabapentin. I hope your experience is easier than mine.
18 likes, 1046 replies
michele51746 G.Allyn
Posted
May the Lord give you His strength. He sustained me. Have you tried plain old Benedryl? I do believe this will pass. Its the nervous system. Your nerves are healng. It will take time. I tried everything for every symptom. Drove myself nuts!! But I to try. You get it. Everyday was different for me. I never knew what a day may bring. God bless, hang in, this WILL pass.
edith1229 michele51746
Posted
Benedryl has its own set of problems and shouldn't probably really be used except in short term doses especially for folks over 60. University of Washington put out a big study and concluded it should not be used in an ongoing manner. But thank you for the support.
chrystal19 G.Allyn
Posted
I know its been two years since you posted this, but I just wanted to thank you. I have been on many psych meds for the last 25 years and have come off them and had serious and severe withdrawal syndrome from pretty much each and every one. I started taking gabapentin for headaches, but knew it was also used as a psych med, thank God, so I did my due diligence to make sure I wasn’t going to suffer withdrawals like I have from all other psych meds. Your comments and everyone else’s have helped me to see that I am not going to take gabapentin, at least on a regular basis. I may take it only when my headaches are getting extreme, but try to keep that to once a week at the most Thank you so much for telling me your story. You’ve saved me from the horrors you’re experiencing, and I’m so sorry that you are.
edith1229 chrystal19
Posted
Gabapentin is not really a prn medicine, meaning not like aspirin. It needs a steady state dosing for it to work. I would suggest you do some research about that before you proceed.
Bocephus chrystal19
Posted
I would talk to a neurologist about the headaches if they are that bad. There are other meds out there vs the gab. Just say no, its not worth it!
linda88918 chrystal19
Posted
Chrystal, so good that you checked out gabapentin now before dealing with what many of us have. I would agree and disagree with previous posts. I would disagree that is won't be helpful prn or needs a steady dose to work. It's not like an antidepressant in that way. Though one can develop interdose withdrawal (because of the 5-7 hour half-life) if taken regurlarly/daily and NOT taken 3x/day, I had a friend who only took it prn for trigeminal Neuralgia until she could get the surgery to correct the problem. It was very effective for her that way (probably because gabapentin prevents the formation of new synapses in the brain and prevented the pain from getting through) and she was able to stop when not needed anymore. She didn't take it prn for too long however. I agree with previous comments in that I would not touch it if it had ever been offered to me knowing what I know now. It is a very dangerous med and there is no telling when it could turn on you if you take it occasionally. It would not be worth it for me to put it on my body for any reason. And it does damage the brain by preventing synapse formation (shown in Stanford University 2009 study) as I said previous, which causes cognitive impairment for many at some point -- more often when used long term.
michele51746 G.Allyn
Posted
im with everyone else on not taking gaba for headaches. you dont want to go there. you may find relief the first couple of times and find yourself reaching for it. its not worth it. there are many other choices. it will bite you in the end. talk to your neuro
michele51746 G.Allyn
Posted
im with everyone else on not taking gaba for headaches. you dont want to go there. you may find relief the first couple of times and find yourself reaching for it. its not worth it. there are many other choices. it will bite you in the end. talk to your neuro
Bocephus michele51746
Posted
It's been a little over 5 months with no gab and for the past three months, not always but frequently while standing the kitchen cooking, I get these odd chilling/numbing sensations in my thighs. Don't know if it related to no gab or not but it is odd.
Anyone else?
michele51746 Bocephus
Posted
I remember that too. Everyday was odd!! Different. It will.pass eventually. Takes much time. Im about 1 1/2 years and I still have weird days. But for the most part its better. From what others sais, it could take 2-3, maybe more. I think dosage and how long you took the drug takes plays a role. I think I was on the lowest out of everyone here, but still went through the same. 300mg 1x day. Im so glad its behind me now. God bless and stand tall. Be steadfast.
Sackcheese G.Allyn
Posted
my doc just prescribed gavi to me 3-300mg a day along with 3 narco 7.5 and steroids.... I think ima pass on taking the gavi, screw that. after reading this post and seeing how my friends mind is "cloudy like" 24/7 on that med, thanks to all who posted on here and I hope all of you are feeling better about life today. lord knows the withdrawls are a hell that nobody knows unless u have to deal with
babs99203 Sackcheese
Posted
Good luck, stay strong. Remind yourself that it will get easier. I hope that whatever necessitated the medication improves.
michele51746 Sackcheese
Posted
smart choice. although ive been off gaba for over 1 1/2 years now, i have NO doubt it screwed my entire immune system up. no doubt. good for you!!
mark72244 G.Allyn
Posted
need to take a month to come of gabapentin on this dose and use 5 mg diazepam for two weeks then 2 mg
pretty75484 G.Allyn
Posted
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