Hi Charmainevdm: this is in reply to your note re: Gabapentin and suicidal thoughts or however you described it. I have had chronic 8-10 level bilateral leg and low back pain since 1978. That’s 46 years. From adhesive arachnoiditis— incurable. Took huge amounts of oral opioids like OxyContin, Morphine, Dilaudid, etc. In 1998, the drug companies started pushing gabapentin. It made me crazy- was sleepy but couldn’t sleep, couldn’t concentrate, — I was a professor but became unable to lecture. The end for me came when I froze in place at dinner with my fork halfway to my mouth. My thought was not so much suicidal, but rather, if I had to be like this to live, I didn’t want to. Something had to change so, I quit the gabapentin. Cold turkey— just do it! There’s no quality of life. Again, that’s opinion, not medical advice.
Honestly, anyone with severe chronic pain who says that they have never considered suicide is not being honest with themselves or to others— just human nature. I work everyday at being positive, journaling, having a community of supporters and trying to help others. Don’t be ashamed or afraid. Embrace your humanity and accept that only YOUcan decide to be better tomorrow. Victories are small. Thank you for reaching out on this very difficult subject —Archie