Tapering off Gabapentin

I'm calling my doctor this morning as I'm sure I don't want to continue taking Gabapentin. 

So grateful for the responses about tapering slowly.  I will do that.

Can you tell me if when you opened capsule (thats what mine are) and emptied half out....did you put capsule back together or take it as is?  Isn't it difficult to try to put capsule back together?

Thank you.

Hi Karen, sorry for not explaing. Yes replaced top of cap (put back together) and took. Not at all difficult to do. When opening, need to gently pull and twist one end of cap. Make sure all powder is in bottom portion. Empty half, replace top gently and it's a go! Let me know how you make out...

Thanks.  I'm presently taking 400 mg 3x daily.  Have been for 6 wks. Wondering if cutting by 100mg daily would be okay.  So then I'd take 400 in the morning, 400mg about 6 hrs later and last one would be 300mg.  Does that sound right in your opinion?  So I'd be taking 1100mg daily instead of 1200mg.  How long would I do that....for one week or longer?

Again, thanks so much.  Called and left message with my Drs office already.

Hi Karen....What you suggest sounds good, however before starting tapering wait till you speak with Dr. May want you to taper differently. I was on a much lower dose than you and for a shorter period of time. It will take you longer to taper completely. If you don't hear back from Dr office soon sugggest calling them again. I've found they don't always return calls. Stay in touch with your progress and again good luck!

I will talk to Doctor first. And I will post as I taper.  Thanks to all for responses.

Also, can I ask you what side effects you had while taking  Gabapentin that made you want to stop the medication. It's makes me so very tired all the time as well as I just feel so heavy and sluggish in my movements.  My balance is so bad, I'm afraid I'm going to fall. Also, just don't like how it makes me feel....rather dopey.

Hi Karen, Just saw this. I had some very unpleasant side effets. Some as yours, but also memory loss, probs speaking and forming words. I found as time went on no longer sleepy, instead rather agitated. I also found it really didn't help much with pain. If anything it made me not care.

Thanks for sharing.  Yes, trouble forming words or finding the right word.  Happening more and more.  My Doctor called back.  He said I should have no problem cutting back 100mg weekly and I can do it quicker if I'm finding it okay.  Glad I read these postings because people who've used the meds know best. Hoping I can figure out how much to take out of 400mg capsule to make it 300mg. 

my drs had me on 600 mg 3x daily.

they gave me 100 mg capsules, and i decressed one dose by 100, for a week, and repeated with esch dose until i got to where i wanted to be. my rx was for anxiety, so when things got terrible, i inevitably went up to 300, 4x a day. but will try again once covid gets handled.