Sudden Withdrawal From Neurontin (Page 7) (Top voted first)

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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I've been on 200mg of Neurotin twice a day for about 4 years now d/t RSD of the left foot. I was pretty indifferent to the med,G and it seemed to control the pain. I never was concerned about side effects and certainly not with drawl potential, thinking that since it was a non-narcotic, it was safe. Wrong thinking! I didn't pick-up my refill yesterday, and discovered after words what happens when you suddenly stop the med.. I had insomnia, restlessness and felt extremely irritated for no reason at all. I also felt "down" and "blue" (I hesitate to call it depression, but maybe that's what it was). I just felt out of it, and suspected that it was the Neurontin or there lack of that was causing it, as I am on no other meds, and am usually pretty cheerful in personality. So I go to the pharmacy this morning, and as I walked to the building, my legs felt funny like I didn't know which leg was suppose to go first. I felt kind of off balanced in my gait, and then I started to feel kind of panicky that I was going to fall down. I picked up the refill and never thought to ask the pharmacist on duty if I was experiencing with drawl because I just wanted to get the heck out of there and get back home. Now it's three hours later and one 200mg pill after, and I feel fine. And I also know that I will be calling my doctor and discussing this whole incident, along with all the postings I have seen on this site regarding Neurontin and what happens when you suddenly stop taking it. My doctor is not the one who originally ordered it, and no doubt she will lecture me on the evils of suddenly with drawing from any long term meds, but she needs to know that for this nervous nelly, I want off of it! I don't need a med that makes my body dependent on it. I also researched the makers of the med and besides the pages upon pages of side effects, I did not see any thing about with drawl effects. Hum.... How interesting.

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Yes! After abruptly stopping only 200-300mg of gabapentin a day (for the last several months for bedtime sciatica pain), I have experienced that "like jumping out of my skin." Despite my tiredness at night, I cannot sleep. The sleeplessness is bad enough, but that feeling "like I'm going to jump out of my skin," that extreme nervousness is much worse. After three such tortures, I called my doctor, and he thought that stopping the gaba so suddenly, together with stopping my oxycodone for post-surgery pain, and stopping my Ambien (all within several days of each other) may very well have caused this withdrawal symptom. For me he recommended resuming the gaba at 100mg and the Ambien, all at bedtime. I am hoping that this will restore some stillness, calmness in me at night. I really appreciate this community of experience and knowledge, and at the touch of a few buttons!

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This is for Marc who posted on 5/28/2011: I am interested to see how you are doing. I am shocked reading other peoples posting on Gabapentin withdrawal. I am taking 1200 mg (1 1/2 tabs) three to four times a day, Oxycodone 7 mg (1 1/2 tabs) three to four times a day, and Ambien for sleep. I have been on this cocktail now for three years (along with various injections). I now realize after reading all of these posts that I must start a withdrawal program. How are you doing on yours?

Back surgery 2008 - laminectomy, cyst removal, nerve damage
2011 two neurosurgeons opinion - need back fusion

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Been on gabapentin for peripheral neuropathy pain for over a year trying to increase dose for maximum pain relief but unable to do so. I'm on 300mg two times/per day and 600mg at night. I can't get over the drugged feeling it gives me. I tried to lower dose to 200mg two times a day and then the 600mg at night, but I started to get not only my foot burning back but my face, arms fingers were burning. I thought that my neuropathy was just getting worse, but maybe the increased areas of pain is just from withdrawal. Did anyone else get burning pain upon withdrawals?

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I too was on Neur/Gab for peripheral neuropathy and I had a bad bad reaction after about three months I became very agitated and hostile, I even got into a fight with my neighbor. This drug made me dizzy, hard to breathe felt like something was sitting on my chest, and now after the agitation, the doctor is weaning me off and I feel lousy. Still agitated and having trouble sleeping. Yesterday and today I've had a weird feeling in my chest kind of reminds me of pleurisy. I can't wait till this drug is out of my system it's been a horrible three months. good luck to everyone withdrawing and yeah I don't think cold turkey is a good way to withdraw from any drug but consult your doctor. thanks.

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I know this is an older post but I recently have been researching Gabapentin/Neurontin withdrawal. I have been taking 800mg Gabapentin for two years now, numerous times a day. To start with 2 pills would make me feel wonderful, put me in the best mood, and ease all of my pain from carpal tunnel. I immediately began to abuse my medication because of the "numb" feeling it gave me...and now have began to run out of my medicine before refill time...therefore doomed to experience withdrawals for the first time. A few weeks ago I ran out 3 days early and experienced extreme nausea, insomnia, night sweats, nervousness, waking up early with a racing heart, depression, loss of appetite, etc...I swore I wouldn't let it happen again but once I was able to get my meds I've now run out over a week early and have two 300mg pills left. I'm terrified of the withdrawal symptoms that await me. I had no idea this drug could do this because it is NOT a narcotic... I would like to know if anyone has found ways to survive this without feeling like dying? Vitamins perhaps or tips to help avoid some of the symptoms. I've heard medicines like Lexapro, Buspar, etc can help with the anxiety and I do have a bottle of Buspar that I've considered starting but don't know if this may actually worsen symptoms since I've not taken the med in over a year. I would love any support, help, tips, whatever I can get. I'm only 24 but luckily currently not working so I can take care of myself at home through this process. I just hate to be laid up sick for days because I am hiding this addiction/problem from my family... and so unfortunately I am going through this alone. I used to work for a Dr. so I cannot turn to my physician for this because I want it to stay private as possible. PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY!!!!!!!!!

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After my previous post several months ago regarding whether Neurontin causes with drawl symptoms, I have since seen a new doctor d/t recent move, and was told that it indeed does cause with drawl side effects and that the dose should ALWAYS be tapered off by a doctor. So no, I wasn't going crazy that day after going with out a dose for 24 hours and neither is anyone else who is experiencing weird reactions after stopping it suddenly. Even though it is not a controlled substance, it still effects the gaba receptors (pleasure center) and there is potential for discomfort if we stop using it suddenly after long term use. It also depends on how long you've taken it and how high of a dose you are on. And of course, every one reacts differently to a medication. I was also informed by some one else, that d/t the medications effect on the gaba receptors, it is similiar to alcohol with drawl after long term use. So with any medication, it is always wise to discuss with your doctor when prescribed a med it's long term potential for harm full side effects and/or with drawl risks. In my case, the med's side effects out weigh the risks, and I am not on a very high dose to begin with compared to other's I've read about on this site. Hope this reply helps. Good Luck! xxx

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i once took a terrible drug from crazy psychiatrist called oxycarbazine was okay then went generic felt sick stopped taking worst withdrawal ever for a month i thrashed around in bed could not sleep for 4 days so sick for a month long withdrawal similar to neurontin. stop taking it but get tranquilizers while going through long month of withdrawal sorry you did not know how bad these drugs are worse than heroin

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I take 900mg of Neurontin 3 times a day and I have had the same issues when suddenly stopping the medicine before as well! During that time it is hard for me to sleep and after a few days may pain level is elevated to the point that I can almost not move... i take it for Fibromyalgia and I definitly do NOT recomend anyone ever let yourself run out of your daily dose! Or atleast I have found that for myself it is a horrible idea!!

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I was given 900 mg of neurontin for severe muscle pain, twitching and spasms and took it every day for almost 4 years. One day I heard myself on a tape recorder and I was horrified! I sounded drunk! My thinking wasn't clear and I could not focus or concentrate. I weaned myself off neurontin in 2 weeks and almost immediately started sweating profusely! I couldn't sleep and my legs would suddenly jump. But within a couple of months the anxiety was too much and I was put back on neurontin - just 200 mg a day. After taking neurontin again for 3 months I weaned off it again but now I'm taking lexapro daily and xanax only if I get panic attacks to counteract my anxiety that I have now. I firmly believe that the anxiety is temporary and I'll wean off the lexapro slowly.
I believe the neurontin helped me but after 2 years of exercise and therapy I should have started weaning off it. It's an incredibly strong, highly addictive medicine. I felt like my intelligence, sharpness and heart faded NOW I incredibly happy to feel and think clearly!!

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I experienced weight gain, but did not realize it was form the medicaiton. I had been on Neurontin for approx 10 years for perifiral nerve pain ( botched back surgery), and decided to wean off. It is now four months later and I am 20lbs lighter. Unfortunatley, the pain is back and almost unbearable. Dr. does not believe that the Neurontin cause the weight gain, but can't explain the weight loss either. Seems I may have to restart the neurontin - will be anxious to see if the weight returns.

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I have been on Neurontin/Gabapentin for 11 years now and I have a withdrawal story to tell. I take this drug with Morphine for Spinal Stenosis and Cervical Radiculopathy that I have had since Cervical surgery in 1999. I believe that it truly helps me, but last year I decided to wean myself off of it (without Dr. approval) because I was tired of taking so many pills. I did wean off slowly from 2400 mg. and it was HELL. But, my story doesn't end there. After 2 whole months of being off of Neurontin, I started getting these terrible shaking episodes totally out of the blue. I would get dizzy and drop to the ground. It happened at least 3 or 4 times a week and often in public. I was embarassed and frightened at the same time. The last "episode" before I went to the Doctor scared me to death. I just reached up in the closet to grab a shoe box and I started shaking so hard that I got extremely afraid of falling and hurting myself. My husband ran in when I screamed and helped me to the floor. I do not have epilepsy, but it seemed like a seizure to me. The room was spinning and I could hear my husband but I could not respond. Anyway I went to the Doctor and he told me to go back on the Neurontin. I did and the "seizures" stopped. Now I am afraid to be without Neurontin. I never want to go through that again. And it was 2 months after I weaned off of the drug that this happened! I am certain that this drug caused all of this and yet, what am I to do. I NEVER had a seizure in my life before this. I wish I had never started this drug. I haven't told my Doctor about my suspicions. I fear he will just blow me off. Has this happened to anyone else?

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I was previously taking Lyrica for neuropathy but it was causing some memory loss so we switched to neurotin. The second week in it started interferring with my Lamictal so my doctor weaned me off of it. But now my neuropathy has gone from numbing pain to horrid pain maybe 200 times worse. Im at my wits end with this pain and hope my doctor can prescribe something when I see her today.

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how long the withdrawal last

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I have been on Neurontin for years, I occasionally try to take myself off the drug. I went cold turkey which is a big mistake. At night well trying to go to sleep I develop itchiness all over my body. I am assuming that it is a withdrawal symptom. Have come to the conclusion I need to stay on the medicine prescribed. Anybody have a similar reaction?

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been taking 400mg neurontin 3x daily ~ only 9 months, because I got tired of the drugged feeling, I cut back to 300mg 2x day and 400mg 1x day, the drugged feeling left, but after a much higher level of pain, restless leg, agitation, all within the first day, the second day the withdrawal symptoms became very serious, everything I've read in the above posts I've experienced, (except for a seizure) and it's only the second day. since I have serious chronic pain, I can't quit or I would.
Pain medicines, especially those which control nerve pain seem to only hold it back, when one quits, or takes less of the medicine the "dam bursts" and all the nerve pain and other things come flooding through.. when that happens.. it's terrible.
Yes,.. nerve medicine withdrawal is incredibly worse that Opioid narcotic medicines, because nerve medicines are so much more effective at blocking nerve pain.. or so it seems to me. another medicine that was a real nightmare - Elavil (Amitriptyline)

but then I really don't know how bad Neurontin is .. . yet

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ragafin,
I'm also taking neurotin 300mg twice a day and 600mg at night for nerve pain. It's not working so well for me now but I don't want to increase the dose. Now I feel caught if I try to go off I'll have severe pain and withdrawal symptoms. Theres not much out there for neuropathy. I feel very scared at times. Let us know how things are going for you in your quest to rid yourself of this drug. Good luck.

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You experienced the same as I, with my additional feeling my skin was going to peel off my body, extreme paranoia, for real scarey thoughts of suicide. I wwnt out to find a good pharmacy after waiting 2 days for Walmart to get their shipment in. You have to taper off this. And the doc's wanted to keep upping the doseage...yikes!

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I have been on Neurotin for about 6 months - 300mg twice a day. I read all the side effects on the internet and became very frightened; however, Neurotin did not stop my pain in my feet/Neuropathy. Thus I decided to stop taking this drug. I cut down to one pill per day for a few days and then just stopped completely....all in a week's time. I haven't had any withdrawal symptons and my feet actually feel better. I did purchase a foot bath and when needed I just soak my feet before retiring for bed. I'm shocked that it was so easy for me and soooooooooo happy that my feet do not burn or hurt with those stabbing pins and needles. May I add that I sleep so much better now and will not go back on that one ever. This is what happened to me. I am Diabetic and have a low thyroid.....many complications...but the medicine was getting much and I knew I had to give up something. So grateful I could give up Neurotin as I have read not such a good drug.

Hope this helps. My pharmacy recommended that I taper off over about a month; but, I didn't wait that long. If I had felt any withdrawal feelings, I would have started back on one and tapered like my pharmacy said. Guess I was lucky or my GOD was taking care of me.

Bless you and wishing you the best!

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I have been taking Gabapentin for over a year for fibrous I was taking 3600mgs a day and tapered down to 900mgs. I went down to 1 pill 300mgs like the Doctor told me I could. I got a horrible migrain so I went beck to 900mgs she said headaches are normal and wants me to go on imatrex had anyone else had problems with headaches?

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