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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artsy6013 | @artsy6013 | Dec 15, 2022

Does anyone have experience with other drugs that work for addressing nerve pain? I am taking gabapentin and still experience the pain.

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grfxguru | @grfxguru | Dec 26, 2022

I’ve been taking it for a few years for spinal pain and to help me with my sleep. Recently, it was increased because I stopped Tylenol PM — the Benadryl long term has its own issues, it’s meant for short term use only —- which was news to me!
I’m tapering off the Gabapentin per my physician’s concern of the confusion and fogginess that’s been getting worse. This increases my depression — it’s a big cycle.
I’m beginning Cymbalta approx halfway through the titration. Not there yet, so can’t comment on that.
It seems from all the comments, Gabapentin is not a good thing.

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johnbluffside | @johnbluffside | Dec 27, 2022

Wasn’t for me horrible back pain but for some it might work taper very slowly my one GI nurse practioner said I was taking a low enough dose to just quit it never ever do that speak to your pharmacist a really knowledgeable one will say extremely slowly maybe 12 weeks

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grfxguru | @grfxguru | Dec 27, 2022
In reply to @grfxguru "I’ve been taking it for a few years for spinal pain and to help me with..." + (show)
@grfxguru

I’ve been taking it for a few years for spinal pain and to help me with my sleep. Recently, it was increased because I stopped Tylenol PM — the Benadryl long term has its own issues, it’s meant for short term use only —- which was news to me!
I’m tapering off the Gabapentin per my physician’s concern of the confusion and fogginess that’s been getting worse. This increases my depression — it’s a big cycle.
I’m beginning Cymbalta approx halfway through the titration. Not there yet, so can’t comment on that.
It seems from all the comments, Gabapentin is not a good thing.

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I will add that I’ve never been really sure Gabapentin was effective to begin with. If so, very mildly.

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westcom | @westcom | Dec 27, 2022
In reply to @artsy6013 "I just saw this post and I have been taking gabapentin for nerve pain following spinal..." + (show)
@artsy6013

I just saw this post and I have been taking gabapentin for nerve pain following spinal surgery. I really can’t tell if it is working at all since I still have nerve pain. My orthopedic surgeon increased my dose to 1200 mg. per day and I had a lot of trouble staying awake but no change in nerve pain. Would it be safe to say that gabapentin does not work for me?
Are there any other nerve pain meds that are not class 1 drugs that have helped anyone?

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Gray sea: I too have continuing nerve pain in my buttock and posterior thighs following extensive back surgery 3 months ago. It is frustrating because I had the same pain before surgery. I take 1800 mg of gabepentin a day ( 3 doses) and can’t say it really helps. A major side effect for me is brain fog and difficulty forming words/ sentences. My pharmacist suggested I ask about taking Cymbalta, which helps nerve pain in some people. I plan to discuss that. It’s apparent I’d need to slowly back off of gabepentin. What does help my nerve pain, which is present 24/7 is sitting on ice packs several times a day and right before bed.

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1 reply
artsy6013 | @artsy6013 | Dec 27, 2022
In reply to @westcom "Gray sea: I too have continuing nerve pain in my buttock and posterior thighs following extensive..." + (show)
@westcom

Gray sea: I too have continuing nerve pain in my buttock and posterior thighs following extensive back surgery 3 months ago. It is frustrating because I had the same pain before surgery. I take 1800 mg of gabepentin a day ( 3 doses) and can’t say it really helps. A major side effect for me is brain fog and difficulty forming words/ sentences. My pharmacist suggested I ask about taking Cymbalta, which helps nerve pain in some people. I plan to discuss that. It’s apparent I’d need to slowly back off of gabepentin. What does help my nerve pain, which is present 24/7 is sitting on ice packs several times a day and right before bed.

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Hello @westcom
I am in the process of reducing gabapentin until I am no longer taking it. It didn’t make sense to continue with it in light of the unpleasant side effects. For now I am not planning to take another drug in hopes that it will help alleviate the nerve pain. I am getting some relief from physical therapy and I also do what you do: sit on ice!
Thanks for sharing your experience.

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elaine123 | @elaine123 | Dec 28, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Thank you for the private message @margaretob. I thought I would answer your message in this..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Thank you for the private message @margaretob. I thought I would answer your message in this discussion about tapering off of Gabapentin so that you could meet other members who may have some suggestions for you -- @guener, @rkleinsmith, @littlepaw, @parus and @artscaping.

I have no experience of tapering off of Gabapentin. I did take it for a couple of weeks when my primary doctor prescribed it for neuropathy before I was diagnosed. It wasn't helping because I have no pain. i just have the numbness. The doctor discussed it with her medical team and told me it only helps for pain so I stopped taking it. I think you should probably discuss tapering or discontinuing the drug with your doctor first.

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Hi
I went too fast on tapering the gabapanten at the end and didn't read the forums. I am really suffering now. Is here anything I can do to help myself or will I have permanant brain damage. I am really anxious and suicidal (SI) and sweaty. any help for me?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 28, 2022
In reply to @elaine123 "Hi I went too fast on tapering the gabapanten at the end and didn't read the..." + (show)
@elaine123

Hi
I went too fast on tapering the gabapanten at the end and didn't read the forums. I am really suffering now. Is here anything I can do to help myself or will I have permanant brain damage. I am really anxious and suicidal (SI) and sweaty. any help for me?

Jump to this post

Hi @elaine123, it sounds like you need someone to talk to. You can reach trained counsellors at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
– Call or text 988
– Chat with a counsellor at https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Chat is available 24/7 across the U.S. You don't need your phone. You can chat on your computer.

They can help walk you through what you need to do tonight to be safe and to feel better. Tomorrow you can call your doctor. Please call or text 988.

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elaine123 | @elaine123 | Jan 2, 2023

Itapered too fast and am having sweats and cold and insomnia and anxiety. Can we recover?

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John | @johnnoregon | Jan 4, 2023

Late comment. I've never heard of this for anxiety or depression. My son is a DVM, and it's prescribed for dogs at least for pain. I've had it for pain as well. This opens a lot. Thanks to @guener for posting and all the commenters for an education.

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