I took gabapentin for one week only, having had severe burning pain in my leg, I had to come off abruptly due to a allergic rash, in total I took only 1500 mg. i am now five days in with the most horrible withdrawal side effects, so dizzy that I can hardly stand, sickness, palpatations dry mouth nervousness, not being able to function at all. I am at my wits end, despairing and wondering how long this will last!
Hi Sandra,
You are having what sounds like an allergic reaction. Contact your doctor immediately. If you are having nervousness, sickness and not being able to function at all it sounds like what happened to me. Was it for pain? I would ask for Diazepam to get you out of this mess especially if you have pain, withdrawal, and nervousness. Really you should see a doctor. I am not sure what they gave you the Gabapentin for. Diazepam has been around a long time and it is my wonder drug. I cannot go outside and interact with people or function without it. I tried for 2 months and I shut myself off from the world. What about Lyrica? Cymbalta or Celebrex might cause more bad side effects. Cymbalta made me feel better emotionally but the sickness I felt all the time from the Cymbalta, the Celebrex were not worth it. They finally put me on Norco. I am ready to come off of it. Now I have a good mix of Lyrica 50 mg 3 x per day for pain, Diazepam for severe agoraphobia, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, severe anxiety. 25 to 50 mg of Trazadone for sleeplessness at night, and 500 mg of Depakote at night for my manic depression. I've been through so many antidepressants and none of them worked until Depakote. I cannot survive without the Diazepam though or I won't even participate in life.
Go to the emergency room or urgent care if you can. Its not worth your life.
Thanks for your advice, I have no pain now, just the withdrawal to cope with. I have been to the hospital twice in the past four days, and basically they have said that it will pass, and that I have had a very bad reaction. The two different duty doctors that I saw seemed to have little or no knowledge of gabapentin, as they each referred to their hand books to look up the drugs side effects, the first doctor told me that it will take a couple of days to clear from my system, that was four days ago, and the second doctor that I saw today said another two days or so! Don't anybody underestimate this drug and its potential side effects, I have never felt so ill in my life
The doctors in the ER should have at least given you Valium to help clear this from your system and ease your symptoms. I would go to Urgent care and insist on it. Here is why: Gabapentin Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below are some withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when withdrawing from Gabapentin. Keep in mind that you may not experience everything on the list – everyone will have a different experience. These are a list of symptoms based on what individuals have reported during their withdrawal process.
Anxiety: Some individuals report feelings of anxiety upon withdrawal. This anxiety may be subtle or severe. It has been documented that some people actually take this medication for treating anxiety. Therefore when coming off of this medication, it is common for people to feel especially anxious.
Appetite changes: Some people may feel like not eating and will experience a noticeable loss of appetite when quitting Gabapentin. Others may experience an increased appetite – especially if while on the drug their appetite decreased.
Crying spells: The emotions can run wild when coming off of this medication. You may find yourself crying for no reason or you may experience crying spells as a result of the depression you are experiencing. Just know that the excessive crying will eventually stop.
Depression: Many people experience feelings of significant depression when they stop taking this medication. Even for people with no prior emotional problems may experience severe depression when they stop taking this drug. There have been cases where individuals take this medication recreationally and experience very tough depression when they have to stop taking it.
Dizziness: One of the most common symptoms to experience during withdrawal from this medication is dizziness. You may feel so dizzy that you are unable to properly function throughout the day. Just know that this means your brain is trying to reset itself and it will eventually go away. If it doesn’t subside, you could try to taper even more slowly.
Fatigue: Another common withdrawal symptom that you may experience is that of fatigue, lethargy, or tiredness. You may lack energy to get things done throughout the day. It is common to feel extremely fatigued while coming off of Gabapentin – do your best to cope with it.
Headaches: Most people don’t talk about the fact that coming off of this medication can result in headaches. There have been cases of individuals that go on this medication, and during withdrawal experience migraine headaches. As time passes, these are thought to go away.
Insomnia: Some people experience pretty severe insomnia when they first quit this medication. This may have a profound impact on your sleep patterns, so do your best to cope with the inability to fall asleep. Try to engage in some relaxation exercises if you are too anxious or agitated to fall asleep.
Irritability: You may notice yourself becoming especially irritable during the acute phases of withdrawal from this drug. It may be difficult to cope with, but take a step back and realize that your neurotransmitter levels and brain activity has been temporarily altered. You may not be able to control feeling this way, but you can do your best to control how you react because of it.
Itching: You may experience itching all over your body. This isn’t a very well documented or talked about symptom, but some people may feel as if they are going crazy because their body feels so itchy during the withdrawal process. Just know that if you are experiencing extreme itchiness, you are not alone.
Muscle pain: If you were taking this medication to help manage symptoms of pain, it is no doubt that the pain is going to return. With that said, it is common to feel pain throughout the body and in various muscles when quitting this drug.
Nausea: Some people become very nauseated during their withdrawal. This is not an easy symptom to cope with, but do your best to fight through it.
Restlessness: It’s common to feel restless when coming off of Gabapentin. The restlessness may interfere with your ability to stay focused throughout the day on certain tasks. Take it for what it’s worth – try to push through it and know it will subside.
Seizures: One of the biggest dangers associated with cold turkey or sudden discontinuation of Gabapentin is that of seizures. There have even been reports of people experiencing seizures from relatively low doses. Make sure that you take the time to taper off of this drug – regardless of your dose.
Sleep disturbances: You may experience significant difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, and getting a restful night’s sleep. These go hand-in-hand with insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness that you may be experiencing.
Spasms: Many people experience muscle spasms when trying to quit. If the spasms become unbearable, you may need to conduct a slower taper. In most cases people can deal with an occasional spasm or two.
Stomach pain: Some individuals have pain in their stomach and/or abdominal area during withdrawal.
Suicidal thinking: If you are withdrawing from Gabapentin and notice that you are becoming extremely depressed and/or experiencing suicidal thoughts, be sure to get help. These will eventually subside as time passes.
Sweating: Many people report horrible night sweats to the point that they wake up in the middle of their sleep with beads of sweat dripping off of their body. You may experience excessive sweating throughout the day, but it may be even worse at night.
Suggestion: Magnesium supplements to help ease withdrawal symptoms
Many people have had success easing withdrawal symptoms by supplementing magnesium. Gabapentin attaches to the same chemical receptor in your brain as calcium and magnesium. As you begin to taper off of Gabapentin, your body will make use of magnesium supplementation that you supply it, and you’ll have a much easier time coping with withdrawal symptoms. Some people experience very minimal to no withdrawal symptoms while supplementing magnesium during withdrawal.
Im glad the pain has gone at least. I was on the maximum doseage of Gabapentin, tried to taper off and then went from 600mg a day to zero. This was (obviously) a huge mistake and although I assumed the withdrawal symptoms would go, they didnt, so I had to take 300mg a day to calm everything down and then taper down from that. Other than that, paracetamol did help as my symptoms were like a bad flu. Its a nasty drug to get out of your system.
It was nice of you to take the time to respond, I'm glad that you are much better, and I presume that you are now gabapentine free! How long did you persevere with the withdrawal symptoms before you relented and went back on the gabapentine, just to settle things down, I must admit I am very tempted to do that, as I am getting desperate and no better, also how easy was it to taper down from 300mg?
I think 2-3 weeks I stood it for. I didnt want to take it again because it seemed like a step back but in the end I took 300mg at night. I was on 900mg 3 times a day at one stage though. As soon as I took the 300mg within hours I felt better. I left it a week or 2 then tried again. It was hard. I think I did it 50mg at a time. Each week dropped it down but I felt rough. It was a real eye opener for me. I had no idea it would be so hard. I think that if you havent been on it so long it wont be so hard but obviously I have no real knowledge apart from my experience. Take care. xx
Hi Sandra. I was prescribed Gabapentin about 6 months ago for back pain. I'd already tried Amitriptyline, which caused me nose bleeds.
These didn't do much to help the pain, but my doc just said to increase the dose, from 3 a day, to 6, then 8. Now I have found these are causing me nose bleeds, so I dropped back down and have now stopped altogether. I am going to see a different doc in a couple of weeks. I just need a good painkiller for cronic back pain.
I hate taking tablets simply because of the awful side effects, but sometimes we have to take them.
I hope you feel better soon.
Jo x
Hello Jo, althought you still have your back pain, I feel that you have been very fortunate in getting off the gabapentine, it would seem, although you haven't said, without too much difficulty. This is my sixth day with the worst feeling and sickness, that I have ever experienced, I can hardly get out of bed, all because I took this awful drug for one week only, even at such a low dose x
Thanks for the tips, I now have some Valium, I had read all about the withdrawal problems connected to this drug, even about the magnesium, but hadn't been aware of the calcium and the part it can play in the withdrawal process thanks again for your helpful tips
Thanks again, the information that you have given me has been helpful to know, you seemed to have done really well, I applaud anyone who has been successful in giving up this drug x
Until reading this Sandra, I had no idea coming off Gabapentin could be so nasty. I'm glad I've read all of this and if I do feel any symptons, I'll know what to do. I really think doctors who prescribe this drug should make you far more aware of the side affects and about coming off them. I mean we all read the leaflet and the side affects, but if we read the awful affects side tabs can have, we'd never take anything.
For people who rely on tabs for whatever reason, it becomes quite scary.
Best of luck.
Jo x
Hi Sandra. I am glad you got the Valium to help. Just be careful of taking too much of it. It can cause depression in large doses and the need for way too much sleep. Try walking, swimming, yoga or riding a bike too if you can. That seems to help clear anything from your system as well as plenty of water or even electrolyte drinks. It also produces endorphines which makes your mood feel so much better. I'm glad I could help. As far as Amitryptaline, it made me sick. The doctors are so ready to hand out all of these pills that have severe psychological and physical compilications without hesitation and they don't know the consequences they will have on us. One doctor even metioned in his report that "ironically the patient is allergic to gabapentin" when I was trying to get my surgery. I went to another surgeon and got a Transfuraminal ESI and now I am able to exercise 2 months later. I wish you the best And don't forget that the doctors get kickbacks from Big Pharma for handing out these medications. In most commercials I see the consequences of taking the drugs might actually outweigh the benefits in most cases. I find the older drugs like diazepam, trazadone for sleep, and depakote for mood swings work the best. I have not had any problems with Lyrica yet either. Good luck to everybody on here!
Sandra I know how you feel. I went through the withdrawal, and yes the Dr's say there is no withdrawal. I was really ill, but good news I got through it. It will take time, but you will come out of it. Just do what you can to get through the day, eat little and often if it affecting your appetite . Try not to take any other medication to try to combat the feelings. Not unless you have other medical conditions then obviously take that medication. I am not medically trained, this is just my opinion. Be kind to yourself, others have no idea how you feel within, but you will be ok.
Thank you for letting me know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, It doesn't feel like it, as I am into day nine with no let up, still feeling dizzy sick, headache and a knot in my stomach that feels like the size of a football, and struggling to eat anything. My doctor informed me yesterday that it was unlikely to be the medication, as he prescribes it about four times a week! I hope that none of those poor souls don't experience the hell that you, myself and seemingly plenty of others have been through. You can't explain to anyone what it's like, they say it's worse that coming off of heroin, I believe it! Thanks for taking the time to tell me about, what must have been your own personal hell x
Hi Sandra. Having come of Gabapentin last week, I thought I was okay, but the last 3 days I've been feeling really sick, mostly in the mornings.
I'm just going to work through it as best I can.
I'm seeing doc to discuss other pain relief for my cronic back pain. I seem to be going around in circles with different tabs.
Jo x
Hello Jo, you are doing well if that's the only side effect that you have, and that you are going to try and work through the sickness!, I'm completely shattered with mine, and can just about get out of bed x
It took so long to feel "normal" though. I think this week has been the first week I have had a lot of energy. I thought about it just now actually and I was like "damn! I feel good!" haha The only thing that scares me is that if there is a flare up (I have osteo in my back, hips, knee and neck), then I am properly f*cked because there is no way I am taking pills like that again. Not unless I am terminally ill or something.....
I'm so glad that you are in a 'good place ', can't wait to be there myself. I never realised what we actually take for granted, being so Poorly has given me lots of time to think. I've started to shake the headache off, and don't feel quite as sick, but the more this crap leaves my body, the more aches and pains I seem to be getting back, but I don't care about them at the moment, I'm just glad to be out of bed, and not feeling like I'm going to keel over! Nine wasted days of my life, isn't withdrawl from this drug an absolute nightmare x
Certainly is a bitch alright! Dont try Tramadol - thats even worse! You will get there.x