Until it's out of my system? I've been on it about a month (?) not quite sure, but at least three weeks. It worked on the pain, but it has caused me to feel quite depressed, which is odd for this sunny girl. I just don't feel like myself, and my best friend even noticed the change in me before I felt it.
I'm petite and have a pretty fast metabolism, if that's any help.
Thank you friends,
sweet lemon
Hi friends, I started taking gabapentin again, not wise!! How long?
- Asked
- 9 Feb 2012 by Anonymous
- Updated
- 15 Apr 2012
- Topics
- anxiety, pain, fibromyalgia, gabapentin
Added 9 Feb 2012:
Gabapentin can cause depression gang, BEWARE!!! Attempting to get my wild arse sense of humour back, but I fear it will be a while. Ugh.
Responses (18)
I also took gabapentin and after research got off that drug. I also took it about 3 weeks and don't remember any sort of withdrawl symptoms. I tapered. It also makes you gain weight and will absolutley kill any sex drive you have... just what i read... Does anyone know any other non-addictive drug for pain... I suffer also... I am so glad you mentioned this because I had thought I might be imagining the side effects...
Darlings, I am so very screwed!!
How much are you on?? I agree that it is a fantastic med, with HORRIBLE side effects. My doc suggested that I only take it once a day at night 300mg., and although I still have fluid issues (from gaba, and many other meds), it certainly has made a difference waking up in the AM. You might try just titering down to that amount. BUT DO titer down, regardless of whether you decide to stay on the best time for one dose or not.
Ellen
Hi Ellen,
I went cold turkey off of it, just cannot take this stuff. It has caused me to be as blue as a smurf, not like me at all.
xo
Lara
Hopefully the symptoms will not last too much longer, I think you just have to ride this one out. Thinking of you, it is brave of you going cold turkey but I am sure some might think you were mad. But I understand having been in your shoes, going cold turkey that is before. Take care and I am sure the worst will be over soon.Take care Liz.
Wow, your best friend noticed it? You girl, should get off that stuff & stay off the baclofen! That did you in too. I still think if you need a muscle relaxer Flexeril is the best one. It can upset the tummy for some, but not like baclofen (puke,puke)! So sorry to just get to your answer, & ahem your best friend maybe has some good insight! Maybe you need a low dose of elavil before bed. 25mg will knock you out in no time & sleep my sweet sleeeeppppp... That good REM sleep helps the fibro pain so much, & also your RA pain too. That would be this girls suggestion. Hope it helps you. You need to see your doc again, & get his opinion. Too bad the Lyrica didn't work too. I'll keep thinking upon this humongous problem a bit & see what we can come up with! I know there is no one answer for all of us, damn it!, but if there was I'd surely be using it & suggesting all over the place! Try to get some rest, & no more gabepentin for you ! Your Sis, Mary
Should have asked you if you have any old xanax laying around. I have found it not only helps me sleep, but stops that dang stinging & burning pain in my legs! Mar
Mary, I can't believe that 25mg. of Elavil knocks you out. My doc just gave that to me two weeks ago, and it NEVER helped. I still was wide awake at 2:00AM, and dying for just a few hours of sleep. Shows you how differently we all are wired. I quit that cold turkey, didn't feel a thing. What a waste of $30. bucs!!!
So sorry to hear what you're going through. It sounds like you may benefit from another anti-depressant. And remember, anti-depressants are natural pain killers.
My experience years ago with gabapentin was different than any of the many, many medications I have ever taken. I was nearly comatose. I mean just sitting in the chair, not having the will or inclination to even turn my head when my husband would walk into the room. This was at the lowest dose. I couldn't take it at all.
Take care,
Sara
Dear Lara,
What are we going to do with you, my dear? :o). Gabapentin doesn't last very long in your system; I was on 600mg 3x a day. Talk about being a space cadet?! I stopped it cold-turkey, and it took about a week to completely clear my system. That's when they tried me on Lyrica, which caused some unneeded weight gain. So then they tried me Savella, and what a WORLD of difference!!! I hope this helps, hon. I'll be in touch later, had a lot going on. I haven't forgotten everyone here, but will explain later.
Wishing you peace,
Tee
Hi Tee!!
I thank you for your answer. I know you are not feeling well, but here you are helping others, amazing!!
Lara
xx
Well well well... here we go again!what sunny disposition!!!
I just cleansed my house and all I could think of was,please lord don't let that crazy Irish ... send me those pigs feet now!!
You are just fine Lara if this is you down then we are all a troubled... can you stop taking it or is that not an option?you know I love you so tell me how can I help?
Could it be that earthy diet?perhaps the fact that you have no football team in the state you claim is where you live..just thinking out loud ... XoC
Lara I just sent you a pq.
Thank you all for your advice and support. This feels odd indeed, I'm not usually so down in the dumps and it is a foreign feeling to me. But all of you are jewels!! (Even you Criss, heehee, those pigs feet are in the mail!)
I had to take one last night or I never would have gotten any sleep! So, I will take one 300mg gabapentin at night, and deal with the stinging during the day. Mary, you are always there when I need you!! A treasure sayeth I.
I am so amazed by side effects, and I seem to get the worst of them on any med. I won't even read them on the pharm print out anymore! I don't want to know, so I hand the side effects to my husband and tell him that if he notices any of those side effects to please let me know. It didn't work, it was Mary that noticed before my hubby gang!
I'm also amazed at the support you wonderful people supply!! I would have been in tears yesterday if not for this site!!
This Irish lass will have her sense of humour back, promise!!
Love to all,
Lara
Thank you Laura, it sure helps the pain!! I don't want to give it up, but it makes me smurf-like blue !!
xo
Lara P.S. love that sense of humour!!
Ooooo hoooo, witchy woman ... See how high she flies, ooooo hoooo witchy woman, she's got the moon in her eyes ... just a song for the ages, my dear ...
If u think it's the gabapentin, get off it, u bull headed thang. Geez !
I'm back on Fentanyl 50's, thank goodness, but add to that 2000 mg of Depakote and I sleep ... all the freaking time. One night sitting on the couch, eating chili, fell asleep holding on to the spoon with the bowl in my lap. "Major Nod". OMG. Plus internet is out. As soon as I get things going, i'll call u or u call me, u sweet thang...
Luv u,
Laura, the Hipster
Please everyone go & read my new question. Sorry to horn in my friend, but I posted it at 1AM & am afraid no one is seeing it. It's about Billy. caringsonbj. Please read it , please? you can only post so many sites or they have to generate to many emails like 100,000 they told me , but it was posted. Several have answered. Mary
Mar, you did us all a service by posting that!! Thank you!!
Laura, please see if you can cut back on something so you don't do the 'nod'!! I used to do that when I was on OxyContin, before I quit, and it was an ugly thing to behold, according to my family, and I'm sure they were right!! If you are that sedated you must feel horrible, do you? How can you think straight like that girly girl? I just wanna cry about your situation, yet I won't... yet. Please let me know how you are??
xo
Lara
My Wee Irish Lass,
Slowly the nods are getting better, as I don't think it is the fentanyl 50's. I believe it is the change in my psych meds. from 750 mg of Depakote to 2000 mg at hs and 2 mg Klonopin 2 mg bid. And please don't worry bout me, my lil smurf. Whatever is going on with you. As far as the gaba goes, lyrica is kind of like a predursor to gaba. Might be worth asking about,my love
I will check in soon,
The Hipster
Sweets have you tried Lyrica for the pain yet. It has been approved to treat mild long term pain. Just a suggestion. Also has anyone ever tried Tegretol? I took this for about 3 months and was absolutley crawling out of my skin. Hate to say it but the only thing I have found that works for my pain are the narcotics out there. But with all the research and new meds coming out, we can be hopeful that we may have some new safer choices in the near future. Good luck and just hang in there. OhioMom.
Hi tooyoungohiomom,
I've tried EVERYTHING, including Lyrica, but broke out in a bad rash and hives with it, so no Lyrica for me!! But I thank you for your opinion anyway.
I just can't seem to find the right medication for pain relief, and I am on a low dose of oxycodone as well. Don't want to take it, but to have any quality of life I must, probably just like you.
Thank you again,
sweets

Further Information
- Gabapentin Information for Consumers
- Gabapentin Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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