Withdrawal symptoms when stopping gabapentin
What are the symptoms of gabapentin withdrawals?
Question posted by brenik on 25 Feb 2021
Last updated on 20 September 2022
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4 Answers
Oldtown507
19 Sep 2022
I too experienced horrible withdrawal symptoms. I had been taking 1200mg daily, then neurologist upped me to 2400mg daily then 3600mg daily which sent me off the rails! I gradually decreased dosage and experienced constant nausea, blurred vision, headache for the next several weeks. I found that in between dosages, I would find myself watching the clock waiting for the next dosage to relieve some of the symptoms. Presently I am down to 300 3x's daily and I'm worried that I may not be able to completely stop because my nerve pain is more prevalent.
brenik
19 Sep 2022
I myself will never take gabapentin again. I recently did a deep research on gabapentin and it is not fda approved for fibromyalgia but I hear it work’s good for the shingles which it is fda approved.
My own opinion it will go off the market someday.
I hope you feel better soon
brenik
19 Sep 2022
It became where I couldn’t drive anymore! 2years of no driving. Horrible spells when bending over and getting up from sitting and laying down.. it took me about 2 years to get completely off of gabapentin! Horrible withdrawals! But once I got off of it, I was all good
lostme
20 Sep 2022
If you don't mind answering how much were you dropping and how fast ?? I'm thinking 100mgs a month ? Give myself a month to recover in between ? A lot of my coworkers said they love the things, and one said they dropped 1800mgs with no problem ! That ain't me, no sir !!
lostme
18 Sep 2022
I'm curious as to how you are doing now? I'm coming off 3600mgs now down to
1800mgs that's 600 3 times a day. Horribly Sick to my stomach, weak, lights flashing, dizzy, bedridden
for 3 to 4 days. Now I get withdrawals even without tapering, ended up in the hospital for 48hrs,
to replenish my sodium. Maybe now I can kick this beast. Also have 2 meds. for upset stomach. 1 for withdrawal period and 1 for emergency. I am able to eat and drink during a withdrawal period now.
Couldn't eat or drink, just sip water. Sucks !
TKMarsh711
18 Sep 2022
Just curious, how fast did you come down from 3600 to 1800?
lostme
19 Sep 2022
I came down from 3600 400mgs every 3 days, until I started getting sick. Went to another Doctor, who had me do 200mgs every 3 days, was still getting sick. Got frustrated at around 1800mgs and I knew something else was wrong. Hit the Urgent care and they freaked. Because I couldn't eat or drink during the withdrawals, about 7 weeks at 3 to 4 days each week. My sodium dropped way below safe levels.
Darn near gave myself a stroke or worse. I see a new Doctor next week.
Still getting sick to my stomach and dizzy but not as bad.
Laurieroz
25 Feb 2021
My doctor is weaning me off of it now & ive had no withdrawals. I was taking 3600mg daily.
TKMarsh711
19 Sep 2022
How is your doctor weaning you off? I was going to try to wean very slowly.
Related topics
gabapentin, withdrawal, symptom
Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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