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Tapering Off Gabapentin
I started tapering off of Gabapentin because it was making me tired at work in the afternoons. I have been taking 600mg x 3 for a couple years now. I started as pain relief for my hip and noticed it reduced my anxiety, so my psychiatrist kept me on it. I have been doing much better with anxiety control over the last six months and want to get rid of the side-effects and now, I realize, dependence. When I stopped the 600mg in the afternoon I felt better, less tired and more clear headed, too, with no side-effects. When went to just 600mg per day this week I have noticed that I have had symptoms of mild depression that was relieved after taking my morning dosage of Gabapentin. So, clearly I need to taper more slowly now. I'm going to go back to 1200mg for a couple days before dropping to 900mg for a week and see how that goes. Anybody else have insight to share on stopping Gabapentin and how long it took, I would welcome your input. Feeling well this morning.
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A Short Experience with Gabapentin
Gabapentin, 300 mg tid was prescribed by the doctor that did my spinal fusion surgery. By the way, that’s a surgery I’d avoid if at all possible. Post-op, I quickly found myself in an unrelenting brain fog. Initially I blamed the pain med, but as the fog continued, it got to the point where it became frightening. I’d even forget names of old friends. Having come off the opioid pain medication, Gabapentin remained as the potential culprit. At 900 mg as a total daily dose for 6 weeks, my doctor had me cut back to 300 mg twice a day for a week, then 300 mg once a day for another week and quit. I experienced a little bit of insomnia as the Gabapentin was decreasing. While on it, I’d find myself sleeping 10-12 hours a night which was a unique experience for me, and not the worst way to deal with the post-operative experience. I’m grateful that the fog lifted; although it was a bit too gradual for my liking.
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1 ReactionTry using a lower dose 3 times a day 300mgs? I have been taking this for years also but have steadily reduced the dosage and it's worked. This is currently what I'm taking and it works for me. Before doing any adjustment talk to your doctor and or pharmacist.
Re Veterinary prescribing: over the years, our cat became a ‘difficult’ patient; growling, scratching, biting, out of control. Our Veterinarian prescribed Gabapentin for the day prior or day of a visit. I don’t recall the dose. We hid it in her food, and she was calm for her next visit. I wish they could/would make meds more palatable for pets.
Re tapering for humans: I never had any bad effects from tapering off gabapentin, but I tapered anyway after reading stories about the difficulties people had when stopping the drug.
Where do I begin? Gabapentin is poison and I am now down to a taper of 162 mgs a day or 1.08 ml 3 times a day however you want to call it. I have had breathing, swallowing, abdominal, anxiety, and insomnia issues and was only on a max dose of 400 mgs a day . If you want more info on what others experience, go to fb to join gabapentin and Lyrica withdrawal group and you will see 11,000 members suffering from this stuff plus some info on tapering recommendations.
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1 ReactionI'd keep it even if you struggle. Instead of the am or pm, slice off of both doses instead.
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1 ReactionHi, all!I (44 years old) am new here and have read through some of the discussions. I have been on Venlor (Venlafaxine) for 13 years now, 150 mg in the morning and then years later added 75 mg late afternoon.Then when covid hit, I got 100 mg Epleptin (Gabapentin) added, 100 mg morning and 100 mg evening. I was never told that if I use Venlor that I would probably have to take it for the rest of my life. I started it after the birth of my 2nd son. The Venlor worked fine, the Epleptin got added because I had suicidal thoughts. It is weird to explain, I did not want to die, but it was like my brain was playing tricks with me and I got scared and went to see a psychiatrist.I have been on Epleptin for about 3 - 4 years now (more or less?) but since the start of this year I have been non-functional. My anxiety is sky high (I rarely leave the house, don't answer my phone), I dream every single night which leaves me tired, I feel nauseous and just generally "bleh" and sick. Also my vision has gotten so bad.I did some googling and it seems the Epleptin is giving me low blood sugar. The symptoms I experience is exactly the same. I did think of going to see the psychiatrist (in the city) again, but I have a HUGE (I would rather die) phobia of needles and I am scared that she would want to send me for test to confirm instead of just changing my meds. My phobia is so terrible that I literally run away from my dr's or dentist appointments which take my husband years to get me to go. And if someone discuss anything concerning needles I walk away or change the subject. Or explode completely like I did with my husband last night.I have been thinking perhaps I should try and come off the Epleptin myself. Maybe instead of taking 100 mg twice a day, I can first start and take it only in the morning and then perhaps take it like only every 2nd day and if I feel okay, then just stop and see what happens. I did see that some of you were on pretty high dosages like 900 mg, so then perhaps 100 mg might not be too hard to stop? Also it seems a lot of you got put on it for pain, whereas mine was for anxiety as far as I know. I am scared of withdrawal because I did try and quit Venlor cold turkey a few times and it was horrible.Sorry for the long post, what would you suggest I do to get the best outcome? I do not have a support system at all. My mom still tries after 13 years to get me to go off my meds and the other day told me "to tell her (psychiatrist) to give you other meds because these once makes you anxious and you can't answer your phone and you were never like this." My husband is kind of supportive except for the times he tells me I am crazy (which I learned to turn into a joke), tells people at his work how difficult it is to live with someone like me and then gets angry when I explode or run away because of my phobia.Have a good day everyone.
In reply to @charmainevdm Hello. I was on Effexor for a long time and getting off of it was the best thing that ever happen to me, even though it was difficult. I’m told by my pharmacist that it is not the best drug of choice for various reasons, one being that “it’s harder to get off of Venlafaxine than it is heroin.” There are some great tapering methods on this site that were very effective for me. As far as neurontin, I cannot tolerate it, even though it can be a very good drug. Have you considered seeing a psychotherapist to discuss your phobia issues? There are many different methods of approaching this problem. Sounds like you’re in a tough situation, given your situation with your husband. Will he go to counseling with you? I’m sorry that your husband thinks you are “crazy, “ because you are not. I am truly sorry you are having a difficult time. Hang in there
I would advise against doing any tapering yourself. First step should be to find a psychiatrist you feel comfortable with and trust who is knowledgeable in medications, possibly in conjunction with a psychologist for cognitive behavioral therapy. You seem to know that these meds are not really helping and could be having bad effects. If you are truly unable to see a doctor first, start with therapy to help address that. You should not have to live your life like this and you deserve the right help.
Gabapentin gave me suicidal ideation, anxiety, inability to sleep well on and on. I couldn’t leave the house or have a life. I was on 900 mg and had to do a quick withdrawal because I was so bad. Now am on two meds I have to taper off if because of what Gabapentin to me. I’m
Since you asked for advice i am giving you the information re how i handle drug adverse effects. i call the prescribing dr and usually ask for an appt ….or if i have a particularly good relationship with the prescribing Dr, i will send a detailed note in “my chart”. Ive had numerous adverse reactions and none of them have been resolved with “needles”. i wouldnt be able to cope with such a strong phobia re needles. I would find a Psychologist who does phobia desensitization.