Tapering Off Gabapentin

Yes! Take it slow! Go easy on yourself.
I was on 1200/day, I think, a few years ago for horrific nerve pain resulting from an infection in my toe which was allowed to go on too long because that toe is numb from nerve damage in my back.
I, too wanted to be done with the gabapentin which at least worked for me but I was gaining weight.
I tapered it myself, 100 mg at a time allowing at least a week for each step down. 4 days after each drop I felt very angry for a day or so. Then it passed and was easier to tolerate after learning to expect it. I had to go back up quite a few times on the way down, but don't give up!
Just keep at it and you'll get there.
Maybe you can get some 50 mg capsules if they exist. And maybe something else temporarily for the anxiety if you can't taper slowly enough.
Write down the dosage, date, and effects so you can manage the taper and go back up a little if needed.
Fast forward to now, I am again tapering from 400 prescribed for nerve pain and trouble sleeping from anxiety. Going slowly, 100 mg at a time, down to 200. I am now on a tiny dose- of Buspar which is working well. So far not much trouble with nerve pain which I now have intermittently all over my body.
400 mg of gabapentin was leaving me barely able to wake up, really dopey. I super dislike that and again have gained weight.
Best of luck getting off of it! It can be done! Your doctor might be helpful, too. (I struggled like crazy to get off sertraline, succeeded, and would NEVER take another SSRI. Buspar is an SNRI which is reported to be relatively easy to discontinue.)
You can do it!

Yes! Take it slow! Go easy on yourself.
I was on 1200/day, I think, a few years ago for horrific nerve pain resulting from an infection in my toe which was allowed to go on too long because that toe is numb from nerve damage in my back.
I, too wanted to be done with the gabapentin which at least worked for me but I was gaining weight.
I tapered it myself, 100 mg at a time allowing at least a week for each step down. 4 days after each drop I felt very angry for a day or so. Then it passed and was easier to tolerate after learning to expect it. I had to go back up quite a few times on the way down, but don't give up!
Just keep at it and you'll get there.
Maybe you can get some 50 mg capsules if they exist. And maybe something else temporarily for the anxiety if you can't taper slowly enough.
Write down the dosage, date, and effects so you can manage the taper and go back up a little if needed.
Fast forward to now, I am again tapering from 400 prescribed for nerve pain and trouble sleeping from anxiety. Going slowly, 100 mg at a time, down to 200. I am now on a tiny dose- of Buspar which is working well. So far not much trouble with nerve pain which I now have intermittently all over my body.
400 mg of gabapentin was leaving me barely able to wake up, really dopey. I super dislike that and again have gained weight.
Best of luck getting off of it! It can be done! Your doctor might be helpful, too. (I struggled like crazy to get off sertraline, succeeded, and would NEVER take another SSRI. Buspar is an SNRI which is reported to be relatively easy to discontinue.)
You can do it!

Hello @yellowdoggirl, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips for tapering off of gabapentin. It is really helpful for other members to hear from those with similar symptoms or conditions to learn what their experience was.

Do you mind sharing what you were looking for when you found Connect?

Thank you for the encouragement and sharing of your experience. My withdrawal anxiety is the worst in the mornings. Every second morning or so, I take 0.125 mg clonazepam for withdrawal anxiety. (The smallest pill I could get is 0.5 mg which I break into four pieces.) Due to the long half life of clonazepam, it doesn't seem to be needed every morning.

@balderdash
I wouldn’t skip days on this medication.
I tapered off Klonopin with no withdrawl effects at all.
You should, in my opinion give your brain time to adjust to the new dose of course people are different but if you’re having any side effects either cut your dose or lengthen the time in between cuts. wouldn’t a side effect free taper be easier?
It is possible!!! Why not give it a try.
Take care,
Jake

I am in my 11th week of withdrawing off 75 mg of gabapentin. The anxiety is over the top and I have been crying almost every day since I went off. I recently took for tingling due to a vitamin B six toxicity. Has anybody else experienced such a long withdrawal process? I went cold turkey at 75 mg and I know that wasn’t right. I just couldn’t stand the way it made me feel everyday. I have never experienced anxiety or depression like this at all in my life. I am 68 years old

I am in my 11th week of withdrawing off 75 mg of gabapentin. The anxiety is over the top and I have been crying almost every day since I went off. I recently took for tingling due to a vitamin B six toxicity. Has anybody else experienced such a long withdrawal process? I went cold turkey at 75 mg and I know that wasn’t right. I just couldn’t stand the way it made me feel everyday. I have never experienced anxiety or depression like this at all in my life. I am 68 years old

So sorry for this problem. Withdrawal is also very difficult for me. I take gabapentin for painful RLS. What were you taking it for?

Did you mean 75 mg? The smallest capsules I can find are 100 mg. The "standard" capsule seems to be 300 mg. This is in the US.

Hello @guener

I took Gabapentin for a month and I took a 300 mg tablet. Just a suggestion, but perhaps you can check with your doctor and see if he/she could prescribe that dosage. Perhaps that would be an easier way to taper down on the amount? It might be worth a try.