1. < Neuropathy

Is it safe to stop gabapentin? How?

Posted by pepsi97 @pepsi97, Jul 26, 2020

Hey there! The neurologist put me on gabapentin 300mg once a day at bedtime for a few months because of my numb toes. I no longer have health insurance because the pandemic forced me to leave my job on April. I am a bit worried about being able to stop using gabapentin on Sep/Oct without side effects because I never used it before and I have no idea how my body will react. Is it safe for me to just stop using gabapentin?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

helennicola | @helennicola | Jul 27, 2020

Hi Lioness, is that the same as St. John’s Wort which is used to treat depression and anxiety? If so, I never knew it also acted on nerve pain. Good to know. Helen

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jul 27, 2020
In reply to @helennicola "Hi Lioness, is that the same as St. John’s Wort which is used to treat depression..." + (show)
@helennicola

Hi Lioness, is that the same as St. John’s Wort which is used to treat depression and anxiety? If so, I never knew it also acted on nerve pain. Good to know. Helen

Jump to this post

@helencola NonI take one for when I'm depressed No it doesn't help nerve pain Hank asked about nerve pain and I said I take a homeopathic for it In the same sentence I,m sorry if I confused the issue

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 28, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@pepsi97 Did she tell you how to get of gabapentin safely? If not delete one pill..." + (show)
@lioness

@pepsi97 Did she tell you how to get of gabapentin safely? If not delete one pill at a time stay on that for a week then all like this till gone In meantime this is what I do and is only a suggestion I use homeopathics They have nerve pain I've used it and works instantly for me this is what helps me

Jump to this post

A gentle reminder about the Community Guidelines. See guideline number 1 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/

1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- See our Disclaimer. (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/disclaimer/)

All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect, such as messages, images, advice, URLs, and any other material, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Members do not prescribe or suggest dosages, even members who have medical training. For accurate prescribing, it is imperative to have a full medical history and assessment.

REPLY
wmbcat | @wmbcat | Mar 7, 2022

I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve been off benzos for 43 days. I’m currently taking 300 mg 3x a day of Gabapentin, 5 mg of Nadolol and 10 mg of Prozac. I dropped my Prozac dose last week from 20 to 10. I was also on Benadryl and I stopped that last week. I don’t know if the Prozac is causing symptoms too. I have extreme prickly feelings and itching that I can’t seem to scratch. My brain feels like it’s going to break through my skull.

How do I get off of the GABAPENTIN? I’ve been on it since week 3 of January. Thank you

REPLY
10 replies
williambogle | @williambogle | Mar 7, 2022
In reply to @wmbcat "I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve..." + (show)
@wmbcat

I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve been off benzos for 43 days. I’m currently taking 300 mg 3x a day of Gabapentin, 5 mg of Nadolol and 10 mg of Prozac. I dropped my Prozac dose last week from 20 to 10. I was also on Benadryl and I stopped that last week. I don’t know if the Prozac is causing symptoms too. I have extreme prickly feelings and itching that I can’t seem to scratch. My brain feels like it’s going to break through my skull.

How do I get off of the GABAPENTIN? I’ve been on it since week 3 of January. Thank you

Jump to this post

I’m tapering off of lyrica now and it’s similar. First of all it’s a long taper. Months of decreasing. Just my opinion but I believe it’s individual and based on how well you can handle the symptoms and they’re pretty bad. The key is having the right meds available to stop the symptoms and NOT ANOTHER ADDICTIVE ONE. I don’t understand why doctors are using addictive drugs to get people off of addictive drugs. Anyway you need to seek out a doctor who is willing to help you and that is knowledgeable about the process. Early on I had a pain doctor suggest that I decrease it over two weeks. That would have put me in my grave. So be cautious of whoever you find. Good luck.

REPLY
3 replies
fields123 | @fields123 | Mar 8, 2022
In reply to @williambogle "I’m tapering off of lyrica now and it’s similar. First of all it’s a long taper...." + (show)
@williambogle

I’m tapering off of lyrica now and it’s similar. First of all it’s a long taper. Months of decreasing. Just my opinion but I believe it’s individual and based on how well you can handle the symptoms and they’re pretty bad. The key is having the right meds available to stop the symptoms and NOT ANOTHER ADDICTIVE ONE. I don’t understand why doctors are using addictive drugs to get people off of addictive drugs. Anyway you need to seek out a doctor who is willing to help you and that is knowledgeable about the process. Early on I had a pain doctor suggest that I decrease it over two weeks. That would have put me in my grave. So be cautious of whoever you find. Good luck.

Jump to this post

My neurologist suggested I reduce my Gabapentin by 100 mg weekly so I went from 1200 to 900 in 3 weeks

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 9, 2022
In reply to @williambogle "I’m tapering off of lyrica now and it’s similar. First of all it’s a long taper...." + (show)
@williambogle

I’m tapering off of lyrica now and it’s similar. First of all it’s a long taper. Months of decreasing. Just my opinion but I believe it’s individual and based on how well you can handle the symptoms and they’re pretty bad. The key is having the right meds available to stop the symptoms and NOT ANOTHER ADDICTIVE ONE. I don’t understand why doctors are using addictive drugs to get people off of addictive drugs. Anyway you need to seek out a doctor who is willing to help you and that is knowledgeable about the process. Early on I had a pain doctor suggest that I decrease it over two weeks. That would have put me in my grave. So be cautious of whoever you find. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Hello @williambogle
I appreciate you sharing about the tapering process you have been following. You are right when say each person is different, but nonetheless it is usually a long process. Often when people are coming out of addiction that are looking for "quick relief." Tapering off of these drugs is not done quickly.

Your suggestion of finding the right doctor to help you in this process is a good suggestion.

REPLY
1 reply
fields123 | @fields123 | Mar 9, 2022
In reply to @wmbcat "I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve..." + (show)
@wmbcat

I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve been off benzos for 43 days. I’m currently taking 300 mg 3x a day of Gabapentin, 5 mg of Nadolol and 10 mg of Prozac. I dropped my Prozac dose last week from 20 to 10. I was also on Benadryl and I stopped that last week. I don’t know if the Prozac is causing symptoms too. I have extreme prickly feelings and itching that I can’t seem to scratch. My brain feels like it’s going to break through my skull.

How do I get off of the GABAPENTIN? I’ve been on it since week 3 of January. Thank you

Jump to this post

Yes, I am glad to see the neurologist that had me get blood work to check the level of the Gabapentin in my blood and Vitamin 12 level also.I thought my pain was mostly Neuropathy but the dr feels since my back surgeries it is also sciatic pain.So I have both

REPLY
laurine7 | @laurine7 | Mar 11, 2022
In reply to @wmbcat "I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve..." + (show)
@wmbcat

I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve been off benzos for 43 days. I’m currently taking 300 mg 3x a day of Gabapentin, 5 mg of Nadolol and 10 mg of Prozac. I dropped my Prozac dose last week from 20 to 10. I was also on Benadryl and I stopped that last week. I don’t know if the Prozac is causing symptoms too. I have extreme prickly feelings and itching that I can’t seem to scratch. My brain feels like it’s going to break through my skull.

How do I get off of the GABAPENTIN? I’ve been on it since week 3 of January. Thank you

Jump to this post

Were you taking Benadryl for sleep, if yes why did you stop? Its been the only medicine after 7 months of no sleep that helped me.

REPLY
Lawrence E. Traynor (Laurie) | @rugbytrayn | Apr 23, 2022
In reply to @wmbcat "I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve..." + (show)
@wmbcat

I was put on Gabapentin in treatment when I went to get off of benzos. I’ve been off benzos for 43 days. I’m currently taking 300 mg 3x a day of Gabapentin, 5 mg of Nadolol and 10 mg of Prozac. I dropped my Prozac dose last week from 20 to 10. I was also on Benadryl and I stopped that last week. I don’t know if the Prozac is causing symptoms too. I have extreme prickly feelings and itching that I can’t seem to scratch. My brain feels like it’s going to break through my skull.

How do I get off of the GABAPENTIN? I’ve been on it since week 3 of January. Thank you

Jump to this post

I was just prescribed Gabapentin (100mg) for post throat cancer chemo (7) and radiation (35) treatment, foot Neuropathy-related side effects? There was never a discussion with my (NEW) prescribing Podiatrist about any withdrawal-related issues upon stopping. Any thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.