Withdrawing from Gabapentin

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi!  I've been taking Gabapentin for apprx. 15 years. I have been taking 3600 mg. for many, many years and decided to withdraw from it after  my husband  mentioned that I never had this disability until after taking Gabapentin and I did some research. I was surprised to find that some people had the same problem, and decided to go off of it.  At first I went off cold and that was a big mistake!  I began taking 900 mg. at first, and decided to go up to 1200 mg.  I am still having problems but so far they have been bearable--tho not pleasant.  I have fibromyalgia and bad back pain.  I have not had any problems with the fibromyalgia but am having many problems with my back.  Tomorrow I am beginning to get cortisone injections in my lower back.  I was told by the pain specialist that if my low back was a hip they would do a hip replacement.  It was depressing to hear that news.  When my family dr. began reducing the Gabapentin at my request I was already down to close to half of 3600 mg. of this drug. I have been prescribed 600 mg. 3x daily for 3 weeks and then 300 mg. 3x daily for 3 weeks.  From the articles that I have read this is far too fast of a reduction!  I will try to work my way thru the withdrawls, but I know that the reduction should be done at 100 mg. intervals.  I am holding my neck straighter.  I was getting 3 vials of Botox in my neck every 3 months as well, but quit over a year ago.  I am sleeping too much, headaches, dizziness, terrible back pain, and memory loss.  I take flexeril and valium at night before bed if I need it.  What I really want to say is please listen to your own bodies and intuition, as drs. and pharmacists don't know everything, or say nothing! I am also taking morphine for pain, but eventually I want to be drug free.  I am also doing my own research.  Please do the same, and it may prevent you from being in the position I'm in!  Thanks for listening..

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    Lots of stuff on Facebook if you subscribe.  I just typed Gabapentin withdrawal and - my oh my - we are not alone people!! M

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