Doctors please quit prescribing this med without checking in on side effects and the potential it 1 Report this post. I'm on day 29 of withdrawals and it feels like it's been a year. just started coming off gabapentin, was on 700 mg for 1year and ahalf. It affects your mood, sleeping habits, and even how hungry you are. User Reviews for Gabapentin to treat Anxiety (Page 2) Brand names: Neurontin, Gralise, Gabarone, Fanatrex. I have contemplated trying pot but haven't done it yet, but reading that it helps so many people maybe it's worth it. Similar reaction to Lyrica four years ago.. Thanks for your prayers, I need them! Please note that Gabapentin cannot cure epilepsy, but it can be used to prevent seizures. Someone wrote they were sending prayers my way. These include: These side effects can vary from person to person. My physician put me on a six day weaning schedule. From my personal experience being on both drugs; withdrawal is particularly brutal because these drugs numb nerve pain & overactive nerves (I'm far from a doctor or a writer so this is the best language I can use). Fourth one is from Elizabeth1: Hi, i am stuck at 300mg gabapentin and feeling horrible anxiety/depression/crying/apathy and emotional hell. In addition, it causes memory impairment and hampers our daily lifestyle. Since I have been on gabapentin myself, and I am off it now, I wonder if I am the only one for gabapentin to ruin my life. But until that brain snapped back to "being me", I don't think all of that would have made as much of a difference. Quit Nov 17, it's been hell, but I get some good day, then bad. Pregabalin is a Schedule V controlled substance, which means it . If you go too quickly and don't allow the body time to heal between drops, there's nothing you can do, but take much longer and wait for the body to heal. . Read a lot about quitting Gabapentin/Pregabalin/Phenibut, seems like some people suffer hell and others nothing, but it gets better and better + the brain does a great job repairing itself, I started tapering in July, after 7 yrs of 900mg a day. Enter Gabapentin, my savior. Tom G shared his gabapentin experience as follows Gabapentin was prescribed to me for sciatica pain in my right leg due to a herniated disc. You're strength shows in all that you have been through and come out the other side with your head held up high! I can't believe that this crap is still on the market. Common side effects that generally do not require medical attention include: Common side effects that do require medical attention include unsteadiness and back-and-forth or rolling eye movements that are continuous and uncontrolled. UGH Never going to another neurologist again! 1) Even with taking it at 5 or 6 pm with food I would sleep for 14-17 hours 2)I could not remember things, I could not think straight. I thought the only CS I was on OCCASSIONALLY is my opiod which I RARELY take, I wanted to make sure I never got addicted. I wish someone had warned me. I prayed everyday for God to help me know that it wasnt me, it was my brain recovering. What you get, is what I get. Anxiety is getting worse not better. Due to the bioavailabilty of the drug, if you're on a high dose like 2700 or 3600, if you drop 300 that month, you'll do OK. Gabapentin, also known by its brand name Neurontin, is a prescription medication primarily used for the treatment of epilepsy to control seizures. 5 years ago, Ive been off gabapentin since last June and I am still a mess, my anxiety is off the charts and I never had anxiety before, my brain is just not working. There are things you can do to help cope with them: Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy Feeling sick (nausea) Being sick (vomiting) Diarrhoea Mood changes Swollen arms and legs Blurred vision Dry mouth Gabapentin is a gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog. I want to get back to work and provide for my family, but not knowing how i will feel daily is keeping me on disability. Gabapentin ruined my life and almost killed me ended up with Large cell arthritis vasculitis disease ended up in ICU for six day's with my brain swollen.now fibromyalgia .PAD RLS and tons more. Theres no way it can cause the same complications in every other person who has ever taken this medication. All in all, the pain or the hyper-excited state is neutralized. Going off gabapentin was 50 times more difficult. I got weaned off Gaba. Providing credible health information and fast-growing dental news and health company that specializes in viral content in emerging specialize mostly in Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina), Russia, USA, Canada, Nigeria, and others. Quit 6 months ago and I feel these pills ruined my life. I did not think my problems were that terrible before I went off the drug. Well I started Escitalopram (Lexapro) a month ago and I have found myself again. I need all of this to be GONE, even if it does take 2 1/2 years. It's been 2 mnths now. My physician put me on a six day weaning schedule. Weaned off Drs way! Hi Alicia, thanks for the info on Butter bur and Ribaflavin. I am so angry that she threw me on this with out knowing what was really wrong! What Happens When You Stop Taking Gabapentin, 2019 - 2022 wholesomealive.com. Thank you. Yes, a lot of it's very scary, but much of that we found out on our own. Uses of Gabapentin It is used for epilepsy treatment to prevent partial seizures. Often observed, when a Neurontin is associated with Amitriptyline it shows extreme side effects in some cases. Perhaps, I am wrong, but I think patients on this 'gabapentin problem section' deserve not be judged by people that do not know someone in terms of their country of origin, their injury, medical history or legal situation involved with their medical issues. First I had the doc give me an order for 100mg capsules. I'm completely off the Gabapentin. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Luckily my PHN from the shingles is abating a bit, but right now I'm more concerned about the gab withdrawal (despite that the manufacturers want us to call it "discontinuation syndrome" is worse than the PHN. it will take 34 weeks for each of the 4 times a day so 136 weeks. I also look out ahead and wonder when I'll be off it, but what Talk2him was actually way too fast. If it wasn't for this forum I don't know what I would have done. Ive had 4 brain MRIs that shows a 5 mm x 6 mm lesion, or a non-enhancing cloudy area on my hypothalamus gland. As I said, it didn't help nearly enough, but I thought I'd mention it in case you wanted to try it. will answer these and more. Very sweet and thoughtful from someone I never met. You can recover if you set your mind to it. Also depression and really dark thoughts are common, but remind yourself IT'S THE DRUG NOT YOU! BUT she also called to get me to see her therapist, the sun started to shine, literally, I forced myself to get out more and try new things and then I saw the therapist. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon and your brain will thank you if you take it slowly. Took and still take a ton of walks. Aw, maan.. (3+ disturbing side effects), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5308580/, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/21561-gabapentin, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/neurontin-abuse/gabapentin-cause-withdrawal-symptoms, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694007.html, Thrombocytopenia or decreased levels of platelets, Rhabdomyolysis, a condition associated with abnormal breakdown of muscles. I have a wonderful partner, I travel to Greece for the summers, I have a great life but this black cloud that has moved in and settled in my head just won't go away. This Gabapentin Withdrawl group is an excellent place to go for support, information, and the truth. It was the only new med I was on. They are too busy fighting battles for money the pharmaceutical companies are losing to herbal companies.. I am now at 100 mg and having a horrible time. Try and avoid taking any other meds or even cold medication, as it can cause additional problems. Its best to take them apart for at least 2 hours. Not sure if you meant you are terrified to stay on it!! 40 mg 2x day. I suppose it's workiing for some of my issues, but I DON'T like taking a drug that is this HORRENDOUS coming off. Tapering off will help you avoid side effects. You have given me hope that there is a light at the end of this very dark tunnel!!!! You are on a high dose to me anyway! The uses of gabapentin in detail include: Gabapentin is used for the prevention and treatment of partial seizures. Some people have been on it for years! How Gabapentin Saved My Life. Immediately talk to your healthcare provider if you experience unusual side effects while taking gabapentin. I was on 2400 mg for 6 weeks for nerve pain after a snowboard accident. Some people get away with mild side effects, while others suffer terribly. Side effects like allergic reaction, fever, nausea, tremors, or double vision, Withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and others. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do! I hope you two can weather this storm. He told me to get an herbal supplement called Butterbur and take it with Ribaflavin. Like 100mg a day for a week (ex. AMEN! Your 1800 (600, 600,600) could be reduced to 500, 600, 500 or 500, 600, 600. Your body has told you when to begin again. I was so scared, at times I really believed I was dying and surly would have if I had no faith in anything greater than man could offer me. Gabapentin is dangerous and not a catch all alternative to see if it works. I had several days that I couldnt even walk but Id move my arms and legs. My physician put me on a six day weaning schedule. The Takeaway: Gabapentin is a common medication used to treat seizures, but one of the side effects can be erectile dysfunction. Gabapentin is primarily used to prevent, reduce, or stop seizures. I think the worst advice on here is to halve the dose. Someone somewhere in the manufacturing of this awful drug is making a fortune out of others misery. Peggy, it's not your fault. It's more like the benzos. Hey JackieI too live alone and have a cat (and a dog). I was tired of the doctor appointments and the drug testing and all the red tape. Feel free to contact us at [emailprotected] if you have further questions to ask or if theres anything you want to contribute or correct to this article. These can become life-threatening if its not ignored. Nothing painful, just odd. However, these Waves (of bad symptoms) and Windows (better days) have their own time-frame. Do my own stitches, splint my own breaks etc. Lynn, could part of the problem be the 300 in the am and 300 in the pm? i thought about take two 600 mg for two weeks then 300mg for one week 150 one week 75 mg one week what do u think just trying to wean off of it with less side effects. The dose can be raised or lowered depending on the balance between side effects and pain relief. was put on them for help with anti-depressant withdrawal. Serotonin affects the brain and other body systems. I would think at least the 300 mg would have been out of my system by now. i would say it was about 10 days of it being intense. but they will decrease, then you know it's time to drop again. It's like a hot flush, my heart rate increases, but i don't break out in a sweat and it is continuous until I either get back to sleep or I force myself to get up. I was so thankful for everyone who provided feedback, told of their experience on gabapentin, described their own withdrawal horrors and offered support and prayers. More intense burning, face and arms prickly and skin crawling and hyper-sensitive. In other words, I havent really been able to make myself get started good on a routine of weaning. Have your boyfriend read testimonials and he will see that people have detoxed from heroin and opiods quicker and easier than this. For some people it does help depression. However, studies indicate that gabapentin may also beneficial for the following "off label" conditions: Neuropathic pain (nerve pain) Migraines Fibromyalgia Hot flashes Teeth-grinding Alcoholism Anxiety Restless leg syndrome (RLS) Insomnia I was up to 5/30s a day and still in pain with no life. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness start to intensify with time. I have tried pretty much every medication out on the market available for fighting my anxiety. 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