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Is it safe to stop gabapentin? How?
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?
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@dbeshears1 Amen to that, sister! I'm glad to know there's someone else who finds it frustrating when Drs' only aim is to "mask" and not actually "fix" the pain, like you said. I found, tho, when I started to repetitively mention and voice this (literally, in those words) that my Dr's eyes were really opened up and his approach changed significantly, and I couldn't be more pleased with his care. I do feel that Gaba is one of the main things that has really improved my quality of life, but there are still unpleasant side effects etc that one has to deal with, at least in my case there certainly is. I would love to just have one day where things are normal again, where I don't worry about throwing up bc of the wind against my skin, or things touching my body while trying to sleep etc etc etc. You know how it goes...I guess I'm just dreaming lol. I do believe it's a privilege to experience such painful conditions bc it increases your gratitude and humility, and you can encourage others in their struggles. Like you and so many others here have done for me ... thanks!! I will definitely take into serious consideration what you have said, and I'm meeting with all my doctors soon, so I have a little bit of time to think about what I want to say to them. For now tho, I'll keep taking Gaba until otherwise specified. Sooooo thankful for this drug!
May you have wonderful days ahead 🙂
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2 Reactions300 mg of gabapentin is a low daily dosage. I have been taking 1200 mg/day for the past 8 years and have experienced absolutely no side effects. Abruptly ending your daily 300 mg intake of gabapentin should not be a problem, but if you're really concerned about it, taper off your daily intake by ingesting a 300 mg capsule every other day instead of every day for a couple weeks before stopping altogether.
@ginger I finally got back on computer issues.I was on gabapentin also Dr took me of it and put me on Lyrica 50 mg Twice a day .This is for fibromyalgia and neuropathy Since my nerves are damaged going into legs this has helped me where gabapentin didn't I do have fibromyalgia also
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3 Reactions@fesfactsmom. I also have studied homeopathic and herbs .I use a pain med which I like .Yes homeopathic meds are for the most part good with herbals you can't take some if your on Coumadin
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1 ReactionPlease discuss your concerns with your doctor. Don't just stop taking your medication on your own, your doctor can help your wean off the medication so you don't have side effects or have increased pain.
Kim
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3 ReactionsAlso be very cautious if you are to have any type of surgery or test that requires anesthesia or sedation, depending on the supplement it my be required to stop any where from a few days to a week.
Kim
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2 ReactionsYou are on a small dose. I don't think it will be hard to get off of it. If you have some left get some empty gel capsules .You can dump some supplements from one if you can't buy the empty ones, and cut the capsule dose in half by taking the gabapentin from one and then putting the other half in the empty capsule for the next dose. That way you can taper off more slowly.
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2 ReactionsYes you can stop take Gabapaten however your Dr. Will tell you to decrease the dose to go off of it. The first time I tried Gabapaten I had some pretty rough side effects while on it. I was switched over to Lyrica took that for a few years but when my nerve pain increased more my Dr. Told me I should give Gabapaten another try, so I did, I'm so glad I did. It has helped my nerve pain so much. I sleep better at night not being awoken several times by the horrible nerve pain I have caused by my rare spinal cord disease . That grows thousands of nerves around my spine and legs. 8iwould never go off Gabapaten again. It's worth the side effects a little weight gain to have better feeling in my legs.
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6 ReactionsIs your 300 Horizant? One time I got a quote from the pharmacists saying a 30 day supply would be ovet$500. now saying $450.00. Can't go there. Is Horizant ever in genetic?
Contacted insurance they then brought it down to the $450.
Is Gabapentin pricey sat 600 grams?