Gabapentin Dependency (Page 2)
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Hi, I've been on Gabapentin about two years, but recently the Dr. increased the dose to 300 mg three times a day...for anxiety. I have been only trying to take it every other day instead. On the off days, I feel crummy. But if i took it daily, then the eventual withdrawal would be horrendous from what I've read. Besides that, I'd build up a tolerance to it pretty quickly and wouldn't be as effective in a short amount of time. Does anyone else take it every other day instead of daily?

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You have to take this daily or the side effects are awful. I am no longer in Valentin. I felt like I was having a nervous breakdown, it made me hostile also! Discuss this with your doctor, maybe you will have to be weaned off it! They put me on lyrica which helped but it started to affect my kidneys.

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Patrick, Gabapentin and Lyrica work differently on each individual as does the withdrawls but it is extremely important to take as prescribed. A suggestion would be to discuss with your Dr. how "you" have been taking it and how you feel when you don't have it, he/she may want to prescribe something else or at least it's something you 2 need to discuss. Hope all goes well for you. P.S. At one time I was on very high dosages and the withdrawls are awful you might want to consider an alternative if not taking for nerve pain.

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Same..i get prescribed 300mg. X 3 daily..just use 600mg. Every day at same time.You will be fine.Then your body will develope its own enzymes and will not function the same.Lyrica is not the same as gabapentin!!

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Patrick,
Gabapentin is most effective when taken daily; every other day dosing in inappropriate and noncompliant with your doctor's script. By the way, if the original dose was for nerve pain, you are on a very low dose.

Dr. Tim

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Patrick - I was prescribed Lyrica (same as gabapentin) for nerve pain. I tried to withdraw from it and it was so hard. I felt horrible and had to resume taking it. Never did they tell me how addictive it was!! Anyway, I reduced my dose, little by little, ex. 150 mg, twice a day to 150 in the a.m., then 100 mg in the evening. then 100 mg twice a day and then 100 mg morning and 75 mg at night. This took me months to do. Now I'm down to 50 mg twice a day and tried to decrease to 25 mg - I couldn't stand the withdrawal!!! I am now stuck with 50 mg twice a day. Ask your Dr. to slowly reduce your mg. and switch to another medication for anxiety. It's a terrible drug to get off of and I don't understand why the Dr doesn't warm us!!! Good luck. Did you get horrific headaches??? I thought I had the flu!! I joined this webpage to find out how to get off of Lyrica. Hope you do OK.

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Patrick,

There is a lot to address here. First I'd like to say it's not a good idea to administer the medication in any other way than instructed. You place yourself at risk by taking the medication at intervals not prescribed.

If you have an issue with the medication that your doctor is prescribing, it should be addressed with him/her and not dealt with secretly. If you think 300 mg is too much or that you are fearful of the withdraw it would be best to bring those concerns up during your appointment.

I understand your concerns but your health and safety should always be your highest priority. I hope that you and your doctor can find a solution that works for you.

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Gabapentin has a short half life of 5 to 7 hours; that’s why it’s typically prescribed 3 times a day and sometimes 4 times a day. Skipping dosages and taking it every other day can cause interdosage withdrawals when you're late on your dosage or skip a day. Gabapentin is also a neuromodulator and there are lawsuits against Doctors for prescribing Gabapentin “as needed”. It causes people emotional disregulation, suicidal thoughts, balance issues, falling all the time that caused injuries, insomnia, RSL and literal seizures. Gabapentin is the kind of medication to take as prescribed according to the half life or tell your Doctor it’s not working for you. It’s not worth it to try to skip dosages trying to avoid side effects or dependence and withdrawals. Gabapentin can cause acute withdrawal that mimics acute Benzodiazepines withdrawals. 10% or less safe tapering guidelines can help reduce if someone is at the acute end of the spectrum. A water titration method can be used or your Doctor can prescribe liquid Gabapentin to help reduce (if he believes Gabapentin can cause dependence and withdrawals, although many don’t).

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