Tapering off gabapentin

Posted by nicolette85 @nicolette85, Jul 13 1:33pm

I am new here. My question is, has anyone had any serious side effects to stopping gabapentin then have to start taking it again? I have fibromyalgia , but was recently started on another med that is helping my pain. I want to stop taking gabapentin and I have been on it long term. The cons outweigh the pros taking gabapentin I think.

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

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 13 2:57pm

@nicolette85 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. There are several factors you and your medical team may want to consider as you go for a taper off Gabapentin.
-How long have you been on this?
-What is your dosage?
-Is your team in agreement to having you taper off Gabapentin? They may suggest a slow taper in light of your own personal medical history. I certainly would check in with them, and not try to do it on your own without their knowledge!

I took Gabapentin for only a short time. The therapeutic dose for me was much higher than was advisable for my comorbidities. The maximum dose I could safely handle, was of no benefit for my pain, so I stopped it.
Ginger

minnesota10 | @minnesota10 | Jul 14 9:31am

I had a bad reaction to it. I end up going to the ER at 2 AM. Woke up about 1 AM left leg and foot very swollen called the nurse line and they told me to get in. The doctors were great, but they could not figure out what was going on. They did ultrasound, bloodwork, x-rays, and everything came out negative. I got in with my doctor a few days later and at once he knew what was wrong. I was on gabapentin 2 1/2 weeks. I had to tight off slowly, It took about two weeks to get off of it, cutting the dosage and half a number of times. The first night I did not sleep. I don’t know what this drug does, but I was wired. If I had known that, some states put this as a level one drug, I never would have taken it due to its side effects.
I wish you the very best and follow your doctors and pharmacist advice.

andid | @andid | Jul 14 10:35am

I have been on it for a couple of years and I'm tapering off per my Neurologist. I was on 7x300mg per day and I'm down to 3x 300 mg. Just gave up 1 pill per day for a week at a time. No issues coming off of it but I'm on a lot of pain meds.