Has Gabapentin helped anyone out there?

Hi Andyboy, funny this topic comes up. I decided on 9/11 that I was going to STOP my regular regiment of Gabapentin which was, 100 mg 3x a day, total 300mg a day. After 2 days of stopping cold turkey I had flu like symptoms, headache, aches and pains everywhere, very very wobbly on feet and an increase of burning and tingling. I was just miserable. I finally AI the symptoms of withdrawal and yes I had them all. I stuck it out for 10 days and finally called the doctor, she said to start back on 100mg at bedtime which I did last night. This morning I woke up feeling so much better. The intense burning almost gone. I found out the hard way that I need to be on Gabapentin. Many drugs are evil and they take a toll on the body. One has to weigh the situation, I could not go on without the drug. I was tired of furniture walking , burning thighs, weakness, tired all the time without it. If anyone out there is thinking about stopping gabapentin, check with your doctor before stopping cold turkey, you MUST be weaned off of it. Hope this helps someone out there, good luck in this neuropathy journey!

@allegheny
It's extremely dangerous to stop any seizure medication.
It can cause a potentially deadly seizure condition even if you don't have epilepsy or other seizure related illnesses called status epilepticus which is a seizure that does not resolve without emergency medical intervention, which can include induced coma and have even caused deaths.
Anyone starting or stopping medication should always do so on the advice of their physician and not take it upon themselves.
Jake

Hello Jake, wow do I realize that now! Wish I would’ve called my doctor
before doing such a stupid thing! Getting back to normal is slow. I am back
on 100mg of gabapentin in AM and 100 pm. I will soon go back to my usual
regimen of 100mg AM and 200 MG in PM. I hope your message is read by many
people who are thinking of just going cold turkey in stopping gabapentin.
Best regards to all on Mayo Connect! Love reading everyone’s journey with
neuropathy.
On Mon, Sep 21, 2026 at 10:19 PM Mayo Clinic Connect < nf+6e68f1a7+145716816@n1.hubapplication.com> wrote:

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> It's extremely dangerous to stop any seizure medication.
> It can cause a potentially deadly seizure condition even if you don't have
> epilepsy or other seizure related illnesses called status epilepticus which
> is a seizure that does not resolve without emergency medical intervention,
> which can include induced coma and have even caused deaths.
> Anyone starting or stopping medication should always do so on the advice
> of their physician and not take it upon themselves.
> Jake
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Gabapentin has helped my idiopathic polyneuropathy. Very little tingling and acute shocks. I also know that I am having fatigue and cognitive difficulties. I have a family history of Alzheimer's, so I am not sure how much the gabapentin is causing the cognitive problems. Gabapentin has a bad history, that is factual, but it is better than some of the other things I have had. I have BPH and other things have prevented urination, which is not acceptable. Other meds also cause dry mouth, which I hate; so gabapentin is acceptable for me.

@coachrandy I totally agree, I realize I need it for the burning in thighs for idiopathic polyneropathy also!

@coachrandy
The vast majority of seizure medications definitely cause cognitive problems. As far as dementia is concerned there is no causation that has ever been proven between dementia and gabapentin.
Jake

I would also never recommend GABA to anyone with neuropathy. I used it for about 8 months for my neuropathic pruritis with minimal improvement. When I stopped, it caused severe insomnia

A few years ago my physician worked up a schedule for me to take Gabapentin. I was so excited until I read that it can cause other problems. I know he weighed the benefits/risk thing so I tried first dosage. I felt like me and a half. Distorted, is the best way I can describe what I felt. Not for me even if they worked. I do not want to fall and collapse felt like a possibility.

I have used gabapentin, 300 mg 3 x day since 2016 for neuropathy in my feet, In September of 2025 I was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy & now have neuropathy anywhere in my body, but primarily in my hands & both feet. I was prescribed pregabalin (lyrica, 75 mg 3 x day in addition to taking gabapentin. The only side effect since taking pregabalin I experienced were diminished metabolism & icreased appetite which is a challenge, however my neuropathy has greatly diminsihed, Somedays I have no neuropathy with the exception of my, right foot, (I had complicated foot surgery & may have neuropathy from nerve damage during the surgery). The gabapentin has never caused any side effects whatsoever & seems to be working.

I tried gabapentin for constant abdominal pain and it didn't help. I still have constant upper abdominal pain. Not taking anything for the pain because doctors don't know what to do.