Sudden Withdrawal From Neurontin (Page 8)

I have been taking 600 mg of Neurontin 4x a day for about 2 years and recentlty ran out of this medication due to excrutiating slow service from mandatory mail order RX company.... I was extremely agitated during this time (approx. 5 days), nervous, stressed out, etc. Has anyone else had these symptons as a result of sudden withdrawal from Neurontin? I can't understand why this happened, I felt so scared and lousy for that time. Is this a known reaction for this med? I haven't been able to find an answer. I take it for relief from carpel tunnel syndrom. Thanks

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You might want to try New Chapter Zyflamend nighttime as it has Valerian in it and some lavender whole food escential oil (Young Living has the Best). I say try it because each of us is different with different metabolisms and it may work for you and then it may not. It works for me and I have panic attacks often. They have decreased tremendously since taking these two suppliments. GET OFF OF neurotin if you are able to because it is a dangerous drug. Take it very slow and be patient as it does take time to withdraw from it. You can take the supplements with the neurotin while you are withdrawing. It helped me to get off a lot easier.

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There's a little problem with Neurontin that really hasn't been addressed yet. Neurontin is fairly popular as a street drug among addicts; they're commonly called "Johnnies". Neurontin contains gabapentin as the active ingredient. Gabapentin is a synthetic analog of the neurotransmitter GABA, which produces a natural anti-anxiety effect in the brain. Valium and other drugs in the benzodiazepine family work by enhancing the effect of GABA. The little problem with Neurontin that I mentioned is that there's mounting evidence that this drug can cause physical dependency - addiction. Neurontin is a chemical cousin of Lyrica, which is already classified as a Schedule V drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Drugs in Schedule V are considered to be capable of producing a relatively low level of dependency. However, Schedule V drugs have the definite potential for abuse. Given the chemical and pharmacological similarities between Neurontin and Lyrica, I would not be shocked if Neuromtin ends up being classified as a Controlled Substance too. Your reaction to abruptly stopping Neurontin pretty much suggests a physical dependency.

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I was prescribed Neurontin for anxiety due to a health scare. I have been on it for over 6 weeks. I was originally taking 2400mg/day but have gone done to 1900mg/day. The problem is every time I try to go down even 100mg two days later my chest pains, stomach cramps, hyperventilation and insomnia are out of control. I desperately want to get off this drug because it is destroying my mental faculties. I need help but my psychiatrist simply wishes to give me anti-psychotics as a solution.

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I've recently started taking gabapentin I'm only on 100mg for pain. I took it for 3 days and decided to stop because I was getting sour stomach and a lot Of heartburn and before that I wasn't! Since I stopped I still get the heartburn and I can't sleep at night! Has anyone had the same reaction??

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In weaning off gabapentine, has anyone experienced bad burning sensation across their entire body and in mucous membranes. I was on 1800 extended release and trying to cut down. I developed the condition above. I realized I'm doing it wrong. I've taken one 600 extended release and then 300 mg non extended release. Both at dinner. Since the 300 doesn't work for 24 hours, it seems to have messed me up. I'm terrified that I've gotten neuropathic pain in addition to fibromyalgia. Was prescribed to help my fibro but it hasn't at all.

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Yes, Withdrawl from Neurotin can give you all kinds of adverse reactions to include extreme agitation especially on the high doses you are taking. Be sure to have your liver and kidney functions checked out as Neurotin is known for damaging your liver and your kidney. I took a low dose and may liver was damaged where it took 6 months to cleanse it and get my ensymes under control. Neurotin is a SEIZURE MEDICATION and it messes with your brain functions.

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Thank you so much Karel. I am very grateful.

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I cannot believe how bad I feel. It's a nightmare. Nauseous, cold chills, sweats, anxious and depressed, tinnitus. For over a year and a half I have been searching for a diagnosis. 2 neurologists, 2 psychiatrists, 3 endocrinologists, Mayo clinic. And last November, a suicide attempt. When I was reviewing my symptoms with multiple physicians the would always start with the medications I was on. Gabapentin being one of them was discussed, but the symptom lists did not include my symptoms. I did not mention to any doctor that I was going up and down the dosage from 1500 mg to 3600. Finally, after meeting with my primary care doctor once again, he said let's try getting off the gabapentin. When I was down to 1200 mg my symtoms worsened so I searched on "gabapentinwithdrawal" instead of side effects. And there it was...my answer. How the heck can this not be understood bt so many in the medical community. I'm on the drug for leg pain after 2 unsuccessful disc surgeries, the pain clinic claims the drug is tolerated well. It has to be that there is a small percentage of people that have issues, something has to explain all the hundreds of posts. I was a very healthy person and have no history of drugs, alcohol, mental illnesses that is suffering from this drug. I'm not a litigious person, but I feel like I need to find a way to get the word out there regarding this medication. Once I'm recovered from this withdrawal I'm going to write the FDA. I'm thankful to God that he brought me back last November. It wasn't my time. Here is a list of the symptoms I have had and at different degrees. Flu like, weak, freezing cold without the ability to warm, occasional hot flashes, buzzing sound in my head (tinnitus), nauseous, anxious. I have tapered down to 0 as of two days ago, and I'm at the worst I have ever been. But I have hope.

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My internist has made me stop all drugs and put me on high level prednisone thinking I may be having beginnings of Steven Johnson syndrome ie serious drug reaction. We don't know if it's gabapentine but my former pain guy had me on too many unneeded drugs. You have to keep searching for a great doc. But sadly hard to come by. Don't give up!!

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Also wanted to share that 1000-1800 gabapentine gave me nystagmus. Destroyed my vision till I got off. My optometrist said it happened to him at 2oo mg. he hated it. Be so careful with this drug.

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I have been on neurotic 600 mg nightly for legs cramps and hot flashes. Now, my primary care physician has added Lyrica, just a few days ago. All I read on Lyrica, has made me decide to stop the Lyrica before it gets into my system. I also have MS and anything that is going to cause weight gain, is detrimental to my MS> What the hell do I do???

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I highly recommend using OPC-3 from market america people who have ms have had good results it is a natural product

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Im taking 1200msg gabapentin (neurontin) for numbness in one leg & both hands over the last year the doctor brought me up to that dose. It has worked well for the numbness in my leg but not at all for my hands. I was considering letting the doctor up the dose but i never knew about the withdraw... Now Im scared

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Going thru same thing now. It has been six days and Im still shakening, legs feel so weak Im afraid to walk! I have been flushing my system with gallons of water.

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This drug from my experience has a worser withdraw then opiat I haven't seen yet but this med.made me feel like I was being cooked all the time and it got worser when I backed off I have to say this is one Med.i wished I had never heard of I'm on it for restless legs and oh the restless nights to come after it's threw its a horrifying drug.

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I have been taking 800mg of gabapentin for 8 years for neuropathy related to a surgery. I really want to stop. Has anybody weened themselves off of it? How was your pain afterwards?

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I withdrew too quickly and had terrible side effects. So I cut back very gradually, that is I reduced as slowly as possible by requesting help from my Doctor, obtaining smaller doses, and stepping down over many months.
So the first step would be to see your doctor and get the doctor's assistance. Next stay in touch with your doctor.
If you find that stepping down to a lower dose is causing discomfort above a small amount, you probably have tried to do too much.
My Doctor said "some people don't tolerate this medicine"

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I am having a nightmare reducing my dose. I was on 600mg and ran out and only had enough for 400mg for two days. At this point because it did not appear to be helping my severe neuropathic pain I thought I would just continue on the 400mg dose. On the 5th day I was a total mess suffering with suicidal depression and catatonic to boot - Nightmare !! I could not keep my eyes open. I went back up to 600mg to try and solve the withdrawal problem. Then I tried 100mg reduction but could not tolerate the withdrawals. Anyway I went to GP and asked for liquid solution gabapentin which means you can use a syringe and reduce by as little as 10mg. I tried 480mg for five days then reduced to 460mg. I felt horrible wired hyper couldn't get to sleep and manic then the awful depression. So after 6 days I had to go back up to 500mg. I am suffering greatly both mentally and physically. My legs ache on walking and I have a horrible depression that will not lift. I feel run down and about 90 years old. I have suffered the awful withdrawal symptoms of the anti depressant Effexor/ Venlafaxine really nasty but nothing compared to this gabapentin nightmare. I would never have taken it if I had known that it caused such awful withdrawal symptoms. What makes me really angry is the ignorance of the medical community regarding gabapentin withdrawals and the drugs companies and regulating bodies that keep such information in the wings. Obviously honesty / transparency is not good for the drugs companies sales. I have read many blogs from people who are suffering greatly and having extreme difficulties coming off this drug. Some people talk about it taking months to feel 'normal' and some have returned to taking the drug because months into discontinuation they have still been suffering discontinuation syndrome.

A possible option for those of you who are struggling ;-Try the liquid form of gabapentin. My chemist told me it is £200 a bottle and said that they only gave liquid form in exceptional circumstances ie people with swallowing difficulties. My GP didn't hesitate to give me the liquid form because I have sensitivity to medication that effects the brain. You must insist that your GP provides you with the liquid form if you can not cope with drops of 100mg at a time. I appreciate that for some this medication is helpful but never in my wildest dreams did I think withdrawal would be so awful. I feel so awful mentally that I keep contemplating increasing my dose but I am going to try a little longer and just pray this horrible depression eases off. Sorry for rambling on and good luck.

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Hello,
I have been on Neurontin for nearly two weeks now 200 mg at night only.
I was recently diagnosed with a decreased cerebellum. Which has left slight nerve damage to my legs. Some. Days before taking neurotin i could not walk or even lift my legs.
I have also ben diagnosed with acute chronic vetigo.
Since taking neurotin I feel loads better and my walking is better too, however i do not have an appetite and do not sleep. It makes me drowsy but thats it.
Does anyone now if i can tak an over the counter sleeping tablet.
I lie awake till,all hours bu when i do fall asleep i have terrible nightmares.
Can anyone give any form of advice as i am new to this medication.

I could call my neurosurgeon but i would like some feedback from people who have ben on neurotin for longer than two weeks.
Thank you

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I'm still taking gabapentin 800 mg 4 X day. When I was laid off at my job and it took almost a month before I was added to my wife insurance policy. So I went 3 weeks with out them. It was like I had a really bad case of the flu. My wife just went back to work after having our daughter so I was at home taking care of a new born. I am on OxyContin 60mg 2xday and 30 mg of oxycodone 4xday and I had some stolen from me so I went a week with out them and the withdrawal of the gabapentin was 3 times as bad of the OxyContin withdrawal. So hang in there it is not fun at all.

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