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Gabapentin withdrawals

Posted , 5 users are following.

diane80014
diane80014

I have been off gabapentin for 9 days now! I still have prickly itchy skin, chills, hot flashes, weak legs, eyes bother me!! My dr. Says 2 weeks it will be out of my system!! I don’t think I can trust her anymore!! Just wondering if anyone else is going through this! 

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • david_91537
    david_91537 diane80014

    Posted

    I think everybody is different on how long it lasts, but Gabapentin is the worst withdrawal I've ever known. I'm 11 months off of it and still have brain fog, nervousness, paranoia , headaches, etc.   I had extremely itchy skin in the beginning but it went away after a month.   It may be a while before you feel better, hopefully yours passes quick , mine has not !! Good luck 

    • diane80014
      diane80014 david_91537

      Posted

      David, 

         You are so right!! It was a nightmare on it and now the withdrawals are even worst!!! Some days I think I’m getting better then the next day it  is worse!! These Drs don’t get it! This drug is BAD for many people!! Never again will I take this!! Were you on it a long time? I was only on 3 months!! I can’t even imagine going as long as you have!! When I told my dr she said she didn’t know why I felt so bad!! Told me to up my dose no way was I going to do that!! I think Drs need to listen to us!! Sorry this is so long, but the word needs to get out about this!! I wish you the best!! Good Luck to you too!! Thanks for responding!! Hopefully we all can get through this nightmare!!!

  • tammy64533
    tammy64533 diane80014

    Posted

    I too had awful time withdrawal is not fun my doctors did not believe in this incoming had crawling skin sickness hot chills anxiety 1 year on anxiety is still in my life and will be always this drug should have a health warning stamped all over this and doctors should be educated more with side effects I was pretty much on my own only my husband for support would of got more help if I was on heroin 😣

    • diane80014
      diane80014 tammy64533

      Posted

      Tammy

      You are so right!! I only had my husband at first, but had to bring my sister in because I am dragging my husband down with me!! He has been awesome!! I just couldn’t keep dragging him down!! I worked full time now I can’t even do that!!! I feel these Drs need to tell you all this, but they don’t listen!! Just because it might work for others does not mean it works for all!!! I am trying to take it one day at a time, but it is hard!!! I wish you all the best and hope we all get through this nightmare!!!

    • diane80014
      diane80014

      Posted

      Tammy

           Also you are right on getting better help if you were on heroin! Plus probably get it free!!  

  • b94365
    b94365 diane80014

    Posted

    I seemed to develop optic neuritis after increasing from 300 to 600 mg. I've stopped my meds all together without any withdrawal. It's been 8 days plus for me being 100% off of gabapentin. My eye sight is returning. Of course they said all completely unrelated to the med.

    • diane80014
      diane80014 b94365

      Posted

      Your right I have talked to 3 Drs about this med and they of course don’t want to admit it can be the med!! They just hand this out without explaining anything to you!! After this med I will really research anything they want me to take that can alter your brain!! 
  • JohnAk
    JohnAk diane80014

    Posted

    I went through this 18 months ago. You can not just stop taking Gabapentin. You have to be weaned off them . The Dr should of explained this to you that you have to slowly reduce them over a long period of time....hope this helps...
    • diane80014
      diane80014 JohnAk

      Posted

      I did go through my dr. She said to go down 1 capsule (300mg) every 5-7 days. Then when I get to 300mg after 7 days at that I can go off!! Today will be 10 days off!! I don’t think these Drs know what can happen on this med!!! I only was on it for 3 months and it has ruined my life!! Maybe she took me off to fast, but aren’t the Drs suppose to know how to do this!! RIGHT!!  I feel my life is ruined because of this drug!! 
  • JohnAk
    JohnAk diane80014

    Posted

    Hello Diane. Yes I have gone through all that you are exlplaing. I ended up having a heart attack with which I am convinced it was caused through coming off the Gabapentin to quickly. However I now suffer with heart failure. I am back on the Gabapentin plus heart meds.

    I have found it gives me a little better quality of life and a little less pain. I originally started on Gabapentin because of nerve damage in my back and hips. 

    I agree with you all that they are and can be very dangerous .

    Hope this story helps

    • diane80014
      diane80014 JohnAk

      Posted

      That is scary!! They put me on it because I was having crushing headaches! They didn’t know why I was having headaches so they just through me on this!! BIG mistake!! No Dr wants to admit any of  this can be from gabapentin!! Wish you well!!!
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