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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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  • heidi36406
    heidi36406 Guest

    Posted

    I've been on Gabapentin 300 for about 6 months, for back pain, but now I'm feeling dizzy with short term memory loss. I woke up today and was able to eat some cereal when suddenly I couln't swallow. It just came on and I'm worried cause that was at 5am and even now at 5:30pm I still can't swallow. I tired a couple of times, and I was able to get some juice down but then it stopped letting me. No pain, just can't swallow.

    This is worriesome. Its a come and go situation but mostly I cannot eat. Will check in again and update, I might go to the hospital because this is scaring me

    • rita52071
      rita52071 heidi36406

      Posted

      Yes I was going to say call your dr immediately.....let us know what happens
    • heidi36406
      heidi36406 rita52071

      Posted

      I contacted the Dr office, the secretary says just go to emergency. Depending how it is tomorrow, I'm too scared to go and I can drink a bit. I will see for tomorrow and thanks for your concern. I will definatley keep you updated. Take care
    • rita52071
      rita52071 heidi36406

      Posted

      Hi Heidi......Will probably not be able to go on computer anymore tonight.....but was just wondering how you are feeling?????
  • heidi36406
    heidi36406 Guest

    Posted

    Hi, morning, well, it hasn't gone away, waiting for an opportunity to go to the Dr first, then see what happens, as for the G300, slowed them down since yesterday, 2 in the morn, 1 in the late afternoon/evening. Nothing this morning. No pain no side effects as yet. Hoping for the best. Thanks so much for thinking about me!!

    Have a nice Sunday ppl   I'll be back lol

    • rita52071
      rita52071 heidi36406

      Posted

      well, I am glad you were  doing good this morning.....hope it continues......My last  gabapentin is March 7...but then I am going to take it every other day for two weeks........after that I will see how I am feeling......hopefully good....I counted my blessings everyday considering what I am hearing what other other people are going through getting off this drug.........I so far did very well......Hope you have a good day!!!!cheesygrin
    • sandy97889
      sandy97889 rita52071

      Posted

      Haven't had any Gabapentin for 34 days. Actually starting to feel better. Almost afraid to let a breath out! Still a few stomach issues but overall the anxiety,nervousness, and loss of appetite has gotten a lot better. I was taken off this drug way to fast. If you are going to get off of it please do it very slowly!
    • tim72430
      tim72430 sandy97889

      Posted

      Great to hear that life is getting back to normal for you Sandy. Gives me hope that it's only a matter of time before my body starts to get back to normal. It's 3 weeks tomorrow since i had my last dose, and am still having anxiety throughout the day and night. My Dr prescribed me  escitalopram to deal with the anxiety, but i am done with taking meds that mess with the chemistry of the brain. 

      All the best!

    • sandy97889
      sandy97889 tim72430

      Posted

      Hang in there Tim. I was on 3200 mgs dropped to 1600 mgs then to 800 all this in ten days!!

      Take each day at a time. Anxiety much better. Gabby made me sleep like a baby and nights are finally getting better.

      Very scary drug!

      Good luck. smile

    • heidi36406
      heidi36406 rita52071

      Posted

      yesterday I took 2 one in the morn and at around 5 so I've gone down 2 a day and feeling okay. Still having the throat probs probably going to the hospital this week. I'm not feeling too badly so far. This Gabapentin sucks, my Dr is on vacation, when he gets back, I'm having a heart to heart with this jackass for not advising.
    • tim72430
      tim72430 sandy97889

      Posted

      Thanks Sandy. Guess it is just a time thing right? 

      The absolute worst drug in the world! However i was sleeping like baby when i was on it...

      My mental state has cleared up, m=short term memory has improved back to where i feel normal again...just this damn anxiety is horrible. 

      We will all get through this smile

      All the best smile

    • sandy97889
      sandy97889 tim72430

      Posted

      True! My anxiety is pretty good now! I slept so good on Gabapentin which with my achy joints I needed but it did not much for pain!

      Deep breathes helps!

      Hang in there. It will get better. smile

    • rita52071
      rita52071 sandy97889

      Posted

      I am so excited to say that tonight is the last night I take Gabapentin on a regular basis.......I will now be taking it every other night for two weeks ......then hopefully completely off.....Still have DEpakoe to come off of....thats another horrible med.........All we can do is hang in there and take one day at a time.....It will and does get better.......lol
    • sandy97889
      sandy97889 rita52071

      Posted

      Glad to hear it Rita. Hope you have no withdrawals.

      My days have been pretty good this past week!

      Good Luck! smile

  • heidi36406
    heidi36406 Guest

    Posted

    So I went to speak with the Pharmacist about this drug, he says lots of ppl are on it and he's never heard a complaint, says if I'm experencing probs I should wean off as I am doing, however, I'm the first person he knows of that has any complaints?! Made me feel either all the ppl he knows hasn't tried to get off so he hasn't heard, or I'm the only person who is having them. Well, I'm down to 2 a day and starting next week, I'm going down to 1 a day starting in the afternoon. I figure thats an in between kind of time so I'll try it and let whomever is interested know. I feel numbing on the right side, dizzyness, depression, crying for no apparent reason, jittery, I did go buy myself a nice leather coat on the cheap and that helped but not much! lol trying to keep a sense of humor. Also have an appoint on Monday with the family Dr who put me on these horrid pills.
    • sandy97889
      sandy97889 heidi36406

      Posted

      My pharmacist was very helpful. He was even showing me stuff for nausea.

      I don't think the Dr's even know!! My Rheumatoligist whom prescribed these said they are NOT a narcotic. In my eyes if the withdrawal was this bad yes they are!

      Take it slowly. smile

    • heidi36406
      heidi36406 sandy97889

      Posted

      Hi to everyone, I have been Gaba free for a couple of months still having the tingling but thats nothing as I read what others have gone thru. I pray for all of you and I am never taking this drug again. I think that before you take it, you should have a serious discussion with your doctor/pharmacist/ and even show them this forum. What I wonder is why this has never been made public? Again, thanks to everyone for caring, Sandy Rita all of you. Take good care. 
    • sandy97889
      sandy97889 heidi36406

      Posted

      That is such good news!! So happy for you. I have been Gabby free since Feb 1 st!! Each day seems to get better. At least what's going on now I can handle!!

      Stomach issue main thing but it's not daily any more. More good days than bad.

      I agree. Doctors don't tell you about stopping this horrid drug. I too will never take it again.

      Thanks for sharing your good news. 😃

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