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Gabapentin Withdrawal IMPORTANT

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I spent 4 days in intensive care following a spinal operation. This was found to be the result of the sudden complete withdraawal of Gabapentin.

For 3 whole days I was, to quote my surgeon, 'on another planet.' The only drug, of the many I was taking for pain, the only one that could not been given in an alternative form was Gabapentin. Fortunately, on the 3rd day there happened to be a charge nurse on duty who had seen a [b]previous case similar to mine, also resulting from withdrawal of Gabapentin.

My husband insisted that some way was found of administrating the drug. (I myself was una\\ware of any of this until later). There were objections from the staff since I would need sedating and was unable to consent! My husband over-rode them - thank goodness - and said he would take full responsibility and 'just do it.'

Some time after he left they did sedate me and administer the Gabapoentin. Then, as now, I had been taking 900mg 3 times daily for nerve pain, so I had obviously fallen off a cliff in terms of amount taken.

The following morning I woke up back to normal and asked for a cup of tea. When my husband arrived I saw him wipe tears from his eyes. If not back from the dead I WAS back from a living nightmare.

WHAT CONCERNS ME MOST IS THAT THIS WAS DISMISSED BY THE MANUFACTURERS WHEN ONE OF MY CONSULTANTS MENTIONED IT. YET IT IS A TERRIBLE REACTION, ALBEIT NO DOUBT EXTREMELY RARE. IT SHOULD BE MAD E KNOWN:!:

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  • katrinas
    katrinas Guest

    Posted

    Hi Ellen,

    I was on Gababpentin for 5 months at a much higher dose and believe me, I had withdrawal symptoms too. I was shaky, had sweats, memory problems, and the itching drove me nuts. However, all of these symptoms went away within a few weeks so for me, it was worth it. I hope that helps. I had my neurologist switch me to Topomax at a much lower dose and have no side effects from that. Good luck. 

  • darren1971
    darren1971 Guest

    Posted

    i took 100mg x 3 daily for nerve pain for four months cleared pain but put me in a bad place mentally for the four months of taking them stopped suddenly a few weeks ago pain returned but healthier mind set think i will live with pain
    • rita52071
      rita52071 darren1971

      Posted

      hi darren........there are other meds you probably can take for the pain...I was taking gabapentin since July  300 mg  then went to 400....just started weaning off  300 for three weeks   on january 24 I will start 200 mg......so far I have been very lucky........Have to admit...starting to feel more like myself since it was reduced
    • darren1971
      darren1971 rita52071

      Posted

      morning rita i take other medications due to a autoimmune disorder,this is were the nerve pain comes from i believe there is a medication called pregabalin so once iam over gabapentin i may consider giving it a try glad you are feeling more yourself
  • lisa34578
    lisa34578 Guest

    Posted

    This is the second dose for me....firstime trying it i was in bed all day..... tooked it lastnight n today i feel out of it...like im not myself.....Did you feel this way also??
    • rita52071
      rita52071 lisa34578

      Posted

      What is the dosage you are taking???   It takes like 4 days for your body to get use to it...but the tiredness does last.....I started with 300 went to 400 now I am weaning off and Im taking 200  You may want to call the doctor.........Hate taking these meds
    • lisa34578
      lisa34578 rita52071

      Posted

      300.. i try not to drink ot every day for the same reason, specially because it makes me so drowsy .
    • rita52071
      rita52071 lisa34578

      Posted

      from what I understand 300 is a very low dosage....that doesnt mean your body doesnt respond to it with tiredness

       

    • rita52071
      rita52071 lisa34578

      Posted

      I am being weaned off of Gabapentin....was doing great...past two to three days...feel horrible.....dizzy.......tired.....etc....is this normal??
    • Asteria
      Asteria rita52071

      Posted

      YES, it's totally normal.  It can come and go like that.
    • rita52071
      rita52071 Asteria

      Posted

      i was reading on computer that it happens because basically your brain is trying to get back to normal........
  • b2wc97455
    b2wc97455 Guest

    Posted

    You know every one has different reaction to each drug also each condition, however manufacture responsible to each patient, you should contact tehm directly..there is a number in their leaflet which they will really appreciate if you could contact them..explain it to them how you feel what kind of side effect..because they can record it and put it in their prospective by doing that you will help others..it effect me as well, so i talk to my gp ..I wrote it down i was proactive then..and i and my gp together we decided not to continue with gabapentin..gp and other health care professionals are there to help you..in the end we are responsible to our health care..no one know our condition, the way we feel, gp seen 100s patients..being seen by many drugs reps..also read so many drugs..sometime they can't remember everything..unless we ..ourself also proactive about our condition take incharge and giving information to our health care professional as well as being asertive to them..it won't do us no good..that is my  personal opinion..I hope that help you abit..
    • Asteria
      Asteria b2wc97455

      Posted

      I can't believe the way the endorse this medication, like no one ever has any problems with it, when so many people have horrible issues with it.  My doctor refused to give me my usual migraine medication, out of fear it would be addictive, when I've never had any issues with it, then she turned around and gave me this horrible stuff that actually DID make me addicted.  I didn't even take as much as I was supposed to, or take it for very long.  I've never been addicted to anything else.  
    • rita52071
      rita52071 Asteria

      Posted

      as of taking it I was pretty much ok...very very tired but that wore off in about 4 days but of course not completely.......was on it since mid July  2015......started taking 400 mg end og August  now being weaned off  and that was 400 one time only at night........at this moment I am feeling good....going to see a neuro optometrist to check my eyes......I am still on Depoke...500 mg once a day   started that end of september......cant wait to get off of that....I was told once you stop gabapentin it leaves your system like one to two days later.....but symptoms can contiue......depends how bad u were coming off of it........told to me by a pharmarcist......if this eye dr says its my eyes I am going to finish weaning off of gaba wait another two weeks and then I want to be weaned off of that other crap.........stuff not good for you...also was getting slight headaches....thats gone
    • rita52071
      rita52071 Asteria

      Posted

      I never even took tyenol for a headache.....I would just lay down.... maybe took it 3 times a year.........cant wait to get this crap out of me.....it messes your brain up
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