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Newbie here: gabapentin (neurontin) withdrawal

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Posted 10/9/2014 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking 900mg day of Neurontin. I stopped the medication abruptly about 2 weeks ago. Last week I began to have a lot of nausea, dizziness and diarrhea. Has anyone else foolishly done this as I have? I have started to take the meds again. How long does it take for the symptoms to go away? I am still having problems. Just started again yesterday. It is interfering with my work and I need some relief before I lose my job.

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 10/8/2014 9:22:51 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/9/2014 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Kenjo. Welcome to the forum.

Sorry you're going through such a hard time! Your title caught my eye because I'm also on Gabapentin (1200 mg.) I'm glad you decided to go back and do it gradually...that should make it a lot easier.

Hopefully, you'll start feeling better now...

If you haven't already, check out "Fibro 101," our first thread. It is a wealth of knowledge on Fibro.

I'm going to add "Newbie here " to your thread so more prople will notice it.

Debbie
Posted 10/9/2014 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome!

I'm on Gabapentin 600mg 4x daily. I know some people tend to have bad side effects from this but I feel alot of relief with it myself. My mom is taking it and has asked her doctor if it's addictive. She has told her that it isn't. Yet my mom has had several awful experiences trying to stop cold turkey.

I spoke to her about weighing the benefits to the side effects. She has successfully decreased it but has still been unable to completely wean off of it.

I suggest talking to your doctor about safely weaning off of it. Think about how slowly some medication is increased to a maintenance dose. It takes alot of time to reach a decent amount in our system. It may be the same with decreasing a medication. You are definitely more likely to succeed slowly weaning off than stopping out right. If you don't get relief from nausea very soon, try calling your doctor and asking for the generic for Zofran. I actually take this quite regularly for nausea. It is awesome when the ER gives it through an I.v.

Just out of curiosity, why would you like to stop taking it if you don't mind my asking?
Posted 10/9/2014 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, kenjo. Sorry you're having those issues. Are you sure your symptoms are from not taking gabapentin, though? Could it be a virus?

I have had 'intestinal issues' for years, and my gastro doctor said it was a motility issue. I also have some neurological symptoms. For diarrhea, I took Elavil for several years. It's an older med which has the major side effect of being very drying. I also have to carefully watch my diet and avoid anything too rough (low-residue diet). Things like applesauce, bananas, rice, white toast, avoiding spices, sipping rather than gulping fluids, avoiding sweets and fats, etc. can help.

One thing my doctor did was to prescribe gabapentin in 100 mg capsules, which is great. Sometimes, I only need a little something (like 100 or 200 mg) to help my nerve pain. Maybe your doctor could do the same. I would also talk to the doctor about tapering off any meds.

I hope things are better soon. Keep us posted--we do care.
Posted 10/9/2014 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr prescribed gabapentin in 100 mgs capsules too. The highest I ever took was 400 mg per day. I have gained alot of weight and seems like I was having more migraines so I started reducing the dosage. Right now I am taking only 100 mg per day. I did get stomachs cramping and diarrhea a couple days.
Posted 10/11/2014 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, all good information.

Never try to stop medications without the advice of a doctor. When deciding whether or not to use a medication, think about what works with it, and what is worse. Medications have side effects. Medical problems cause symptoms. A medication is effective when the benefits outweigh the deficits.
Posted 10/11/2014 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
I tried the gabapetin but felt like I was in a cartoon half the time. My concern was driving. I didn't want to hurt someone so I weaned off of it. I can't seem to find any drug that I don't have a reaction to. One time it will affect me one way and the next totally different. I am on 120 mg of cymbalta but having bad reaction to it now and am weaning myself down on it. Muscle relaxers make me have restless everything, even taking magnesium. When I feel so horrible I get frustrated not having something to take not knowing what reaction will be.
Feeling your frustrations.
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