How long do you take Gabapentin?

Posted by ttibsen @ttibsen, Sep 9, 2020

My wife got a Rx for Gabapentin yesterday to deal with chronic pain affecting her lower right leg below the knee. They couldn’t find anything obviously wrong and I guess that in those situations they fall back on Gabapentin. The instructions simply said take as needed and I am somewhat sceptical of this as it’s my understanding that Gabapentin is not like an analgesic which you do take on an as needed basis. I thought that for Gabapentin, once you start the meds, you continue at least until the meds is finished. She was given a one month supply.

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ritchie | @ritchie | Jan 20, 2022

I have been taking gabapentin for 6 days, 200 mg. at dinner each day, and it has given me significant relief without any side effects. I see my doctor next week to review my x rays and discuss further treatment. Coincidentally, my dog is taking gabapentin, 200 mg. twice daily, for pain due to hip dysplasia and a cruciate ligament (knee) tear, along with an anti-inflammatory.

pfbacon | @pfbacon | Jan 20, 2022

Gabapentin works well for me, subdues the pain with no side effects. I've taken it since 2018, I'll probably take it for the rest of my life. I have axonal sensory neuropathy. It doesn't go away but gabapentin calms my nervous system so that it doesn't give me constant chronic pain. I'm very grateful for gabapentin. Peggy

gcranor | @gcranor | Jan 21, 2022

I been taking it since 2015, 300mg morning and noon, then 1200mg at bedtime.

dianecostella | @dianecostella | Jan 24, 2022

In reply to @markm5386 "I was taking 600mg 3 times a day it did not help" + (show)

I was taking the same dose and I am currently weaning off. I am at 800mg how long did it take to wean off and did you have side effects when you finally finished weaning off?

marilynredder2367 | @marilynredder2367 | Jan 25, 2022

No side effects. Husband On gabapentin 1800 mg I long time he went off in two weeks. No side effects

jetsetter | @jetsetter | Jan 25, 2022

In reply to @dianecostella "I was taking the same dose and I am currently weaning off. I am at 800mg..." + (show)

I weaned from 900 mg Gabapentin daily to none in about 3 weeks. Pharmacist said I could do it quicker, but I had severe dizziness when I did, so kept taking 100 mg twice a day for about a week after that, then one a day for another week. I had headaches for about a month afterwards but it they finally subsided. It had started causing weird eye movements and was making my brain foggy so decided to stop it.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Jan 25, 2022

@jetsetter
Your pharmacist was right you could’ve done it faster but you probably would’ve suffered worse withdrawal symptoms too.
Nstagmus (eyes going side tyside or up and down ) is a common side effect of anticonvulsant medication although I’ve taken many seizure medicines throughout the years I’ve never had that side effect.
Often times when you take those drugs if you take them for several weeks to several months the side effects will ease up or even go away. Are you on another treatment plan that’s giving you relief?
Take care,
Jake

jetsetter | @jetsetter | Jan 25, 2022

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@jetsetter Your pharmacist was right you could’ve done it faster but you probably would’ve suffered worse..." + (show)

Thanks Jake. I had been taking Gabapentin for about 2 years but at a lower dose (100 mg 3xs daily). Then my pain eased so I went off for about a year. Neck pain recurred this past May do I went back on 100 mg 3xs daily. Pain increased so they upped it to 300 mg 3xs. I was on that about a month before I started having anxiety and the nystagmus.

I am taking Celebrex and muscle relaxers which help the pain. Today I had 2 cervical facet joint injections for the first time. Hoping it helps calm things down.

Thanks for you input,

Laurie

ritchie | @ritchie | Jan 26, 2022

nystagmus

dianecostella | @dianecostella | Jan 26, 2022

In reply to @jetsetter "I weaned from 900 mg Gabapentin daily to none in about 3 weeks. Pharmacist said I..." + (show)

Thank for your response. I have been dizzy lately I am glad you mention it. Next week I am going to 200mg x2 for a week and then down to 100mg x2 for a week or two and then stop. Even taking the new pain medication and weaning off this I am still in pain.