1. < Depression & Anxiety

Tapering Off Gabapentin

Posted by Guener @guener, Nov 19, 2018

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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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 1, 2021
In reply to @yellowdoggirl "Yes! Take it slow! Go easy on yourself. I was on 1200/day, I think, a few..." + (show)
@yellowdoggirl

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!

Jump to this post

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?

REPLY
1 reply
balderdash | @balderdash | Jun 1, 2021
In reply to @yellowdoggirl "Yes! Take it slow! Go easy on yourself. I was on 1200/day, I think, a few..." + (show)
@yellowdoggirl

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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
1 reply
yellowdoggirl | @yellowdoggirl | Jun 1, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @yellowdoggirl, Welcome to Connect. Thank you for sharing your experience and tips for tapering off..." + (show)
@johnbishop

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?

Jump to this post

Hi John,
I joined Mayo Connect because I kind of think something else is wrong besides what has been diagnosed and would like to learn what others' experiences are, in a civilized environment.
I have 3 autoimmune diseases, pernicious anemia, celiac disease, and undifferentiated connective tissue disease. My rheumatologist who first saw me when I showed up with cutaneous lupus lesions on my feet thought I may also have small fiber neuropathy.
I am way better now, on more hydroxychloroquine than I would like, but it is really working for me.
Long answer, I know. I don't usually join in like this. Thank you for responding!

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jun 2, 2021
In reply to @balderdash "Thank you for the encouragement and sharing of your experience. My withdrawal anxiety is the worst..." + (show)
@balderdash

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.

Jump to this post

@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

REPLY
1 reply
balderdash | @balderdash | Jun 2, 2021
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@balderdash I wouldn’t skip days on this medication. I tapered off Klonopin with no withdrawl effects..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@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

Jump to this post

Thank you, Jake. When you say not to skip days, which medication are you referring to? I am tapering off gabapentin. Clonazepam is being used as needed to help deal with gabapentin withdrawal. Not coincidentally, clonazepam also treats my RLS.

REPLY
chargrady | @chargrady | Jul 18, 2021

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

REPLY
2 replies
rmj5 | @rmj5 | Jul 19, 2021
In reply to @chargrady "I am in my 11th week of withdrawing off 75 mg of gabapentin. The anxiety is..." + (show)
@chargrady

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

Jump to this post

I take 200 mg at night to help with Rls. I was unaware it also helps with anxiety. Maybe you could take another drug with short half life to ease your withdrawal.

REPLY
balderdash | @balderdash | Jul 19, 2021
In reply to @chargrady "I am in my 11th week of withdrawing off 75 mg of gabapentin. The anxiety is..." + (show)
@chargrady

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

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
1 reply
chargrady | @chargrady | Jul 20, 2021
In reply to @balderdash "So sorry for this problem. Withdrawal is also very difficult for me. I take gabapentin for..." + (show)
@balderdash

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.

Jump to this post

I took the liquid

REPLY
edematta | @edematta | Dec 14, 2021
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @guener I took Gabapentin for a month and I took a 300 mg tablet. Just..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

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.

Jump to this post

@hopeful33250 I am on the same boat my Dr trialed me for 300mg a day for 30 days. I am down to my last 4 pills, awaiting instructions from my Dr. Did you just stopped? Or u had to taper?

REPLY
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