Am I In Constant Withdrawal?

6 months ago my psychiatrist prescribed 600mg of Gabapentin, to be taken at bedtime, for bipolar disorder, nerve pain and sleep disruption. For months I have been dizzy, lethargic and unable to focus. Since Gabapentin has a half-life of 5-7 hours, could it be that the single daily dose has me in a constant state of withdrawal? I had to miss 3 appointments with my shrink because of back problems and managed to fall through a bureaucratic Medicare crack - the hospital I was seeing him through will no longer accept me as a patient so I am out of luck re asking for help with this medication. Thanks!

REPLY

REPORT

Hello, Curtiosity! How are you?

No, only one a day of a medications that isn't a narcotic and is non-habit forming shouldn't cause withdrawals.

Gabapentin is classified by the FDA as an anticonvulsant that can also help with certain types of nerve pain. Its typical side effects may possibly include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain and mood swings.

However, you could be experiencing side effects, this medication has been known to do that in some people that take it. How long have you been on it?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi there,
I know Gabapentin isn't a narcotic, but many drugs, antidepressants, for example (dear God - Effexor is hell), can cause what are termed withdrawal symptoms if one doesn't titrate off of them properly. My experience with Gabapentin cessation involved withdrawal.
I took 600 mg of Gabapentin nightly for roughly 9 months, as prescribed by my psychiatrist. That is not even a large dose by most standards, but it would seem that most take it 3 times a day... I must be very sensitive to it. While taking Gabapentin, I experienced increasing dizziness and what became a debilitating degree of lethargy, not knowing what the cause was. In late May I researched all the drugs I was taking (all 4 of them) and found that the potential side effects of Gabapentin were spot on with my symptoms, whereas the other 3 drugs were either considered to be well tolerated or, in the case of Cymbalta, not in line with my symptoms. A number of people posted comments to the effect that withdrawal from Gabapentin was very difficult at best and dangerous if not done very slowly.
I have finally titrated off of it now. The past two weeks, having completely stopped taking it, were fairly miserable, but the first 3 weeks taking only 300mg were much worse. I had symptoms highly reminiscent of narcotic withdrawal - skin crawling, headache, writhing, muscle spasms, sleeplessness, restlessness, inability to focus, nausea, diarrhea, etc..
I feel much better now but still am slightly off balance most of the time, although nothing like before. I have an appointment to see my GP tomorrow to try to find out what else is going on.
Thank you for your response. I truly appreciate it. Please forgive the long-winded reply, but I found it helpful to write this stuff down.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have a horrible diagnosis of my spine. It is twisting at the base, and is now on the third rotation, I saw the last scan. I have tumors all over the spine that have become malignant. They give me anything to mitigate the growing chronic pain. Gabapentin is prescribed by my pain specialist doctor 600mg tablets a day, to be taken 6X a day. It is truly more effective that way, just start doing it, you will see. If it doesn't help, ask for something else. I have learned to be very assertive and proactive in my own medical care....if you don't, you won't get the right care.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been taking Zubsolv for about 6 months now, prior to that I was on Suboxone. I preferred to stay on Suboxone but ...

4 REPLIES

I was taking Twynsta.. which was a combination of 10 mg amlodipine and 80 mg telmisartan for about 5 yrs. I didn't r...

1 REPLY

My doc has been taking me off 75 mg. dose for about the past two months two weeks. I have finished what he thinks is a r...

6 REPLIES

I stopped taking imipramine 3 days ago due to unacceptable side effects, which made it not possible to taper the withdra...

5 REPLIES

I have been on 400 mg. of lamotrigene for about 8 yrs for PTSD, I have had extensive therapy and they feel I no longer n...

1 REPLY

Hello. I was prescribed amitriptyline 25mg for chronic migraines two years ago. I am trying to wean myself off it now an...

2 REPLIES

What happens when someone decides to quit taking Morphine? What are signs to watch for? ## Since this is an opioid medic...

1 REPLY

Has anyone ever heard of this medication being prescribed for withdrawal symptoms from Methadone and if so what do I nee...

2 REPLIES

Imipramine - Why am I not able to get this drug anymore? I have been on it since 1989, 100mg at night. I have been off i...

1 REPLY

I broke my seismoid bone in my foot Saturday day bprescribed that will have to heal on its own. Dr gave me Tramadol hcl ...

3 REPLIES