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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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