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Gabapentin it doesn’t relieve pain for me- can I stop cold turkey?

Posted by karynwendy @karynwendy, 17 hours ago

I have taken it for about 8 weeks for help to ease neuropathy in my feet. 300mg. initially did nothing so it was increased to 600mg. per day. Which I have taken for 3 1/2 weeks- No pain relief in fact the pain seems worse.
Severe heartburn,
Brainfog and balance issues,
Weight gain, irritability
and more difficulty sleeping are side effects. So I am stopping it- I am cutting down to 300mg. for 4 days then 200 for 3 days then 100 for 3 days. I took it for a short period so would prefer to go cold turkey as the heartburn is really bad. Input appreciated!

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John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 15 hours ago

Hello @karynwendy, Welcome to Connect. It's a bummer that the gabapentin isn't helping and the pain seems worse after taking it. I took gabapentin for my neuropathy for a few weeks for my neuropathy and stopped taking it because it wasn't helping with my numbness and I don't have pain. Then my PCP met with my Mayo care team and discussed it and said it won't help numbness and just works to relieve pain. I was at a low dose and only on it for a few weeks when I talked to my doctor so they were OK with me stopping it abruptly.

Here is an article on your question but the bottom line is to check with your doctor before stopping the medication - https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-taking-gabapentin.

Have you mentioned to your doctor that it's not helping and causing other problems and you want to stop taking the drug?

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | 13 hours ago

@karynwendy
Seizure medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly if a person has epilepsy or not. Stopping seizure medication after being on it for a short time and a low dose may well be fine but personally, I would still taper. Status epilepticus (continuous seizures, is rare but possible, usually on higher and longer term dosing. I have been a victim status epileptics many times and have been in long and short-term coma is because of it. I stopped a seizure medication abruptly and ended up in an eight month long coma. when I was brought out of the coma, my memory was totally gone.
Your gabapentin dose was very low. If your dose was increased it may have helped. The maximum daily dose of gabapentin is 3600 mg however gabapentin is a drug more related to side effects as far as dose is concerned. Some people significantly exceed the maximum daily dose. I knew a man who took over 7000 mg a day and he only received relief when he got to that dose. Seizure medication's are loaded with side effects so the medication needs to be taken for a few weeks to a few months and then they usually subside.
Take care,
Jake

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karynwendy | @karynwendy | 11 hours ago
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@karynwendy Seizure medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly if a person has epilepsy or not. Stopping seizure..." + (show)
Profile picture for Leonard @jakedduck1

@karynwendy
Seizure medications shouldn't be stopped abruptly if a person has epilepsy or not. Stopping seizure medication after being on it for a short time and a low dose may well be fine but personally, I would still taper. Status epilepticus (continuous seizures, is rare but possible, usually on higher and longer term dosing. I have been a victim status epileptics many times and have been in long and short-term coma is because of it. I stopped a seizure medication abruptly and ended up in an eight month long coma. when I was brought out of the coma, my memory was totally gone.
Your gabapentin dose was very low. If your dose was increased it may have helped. The maximum daily dose of gabapentin is 3600 mg however gabapentin is a drug more related to side effects as far as dose is concerned. Some people significantly exceed the maximum daily dose. I knew a man who took over 7000 mg a day and he only received relief when he got to that dose. Seizure medication's are loaded with side effects so the medication needs to be taken for a few weeks to a few months and then they usually subside.
Take care,
Jake

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Thank-you for this!

Karen Cox
“There are no problems... only solutions”. John
Lennon

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karynwendy | @karynwendy | 11 hours ago
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @karynwendy, Welcome to Connect. It's a bummer that the gabapentin isn't helping and the pain..." + (show)
Profile picture for John, Volunteer Mentor @johnbishop

Hello @karynwendy, Welcome to Connect. It's a bummer that the gabapentin isn't helping and the pain seems worse after taking it. I took gabapentin for my neuropathy for a few weeks for my neuropathy and stopped taking it because it wasn't helping with my numbness and I don't have pain. Then my PCP met with my Mayo care team and discussed it and said it won't help numbness and just works to relieve pain. I was at a low dose and only on it for a few weeks when I talked to my doctor so they were OK with me stopping it abruptly.

Here is an article on your question but the bottom line is to check with your doctor before stopping the medication - https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-taking-gabapentin.

Have you mentioned to your doctor that it's not helping and causing other problems and you want to stop taking the drug?

Jump to this post

Good advice!
I am stopping it and will taper for a few weeks.
The side effects were numerous- but the increasing heartburn was the final
straw.
I am very skeptical of a drug that creates more issues and pain in side
effects than it helps your actual issues!
That is not medicine it’s a Big Pharma cash grab!

Karen Cox
“There are no problems... only solutions”. John
Lennon

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