Over The Counter Substitute For Gabapentin
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I am presently taking gabapentin and if I forget 1 tablet it is awful. I can't sleep and my legs ache and the next morning because of the lack of sleep I can not function. I am on this medicine for back pain and I do believe it helps.. I would like to get off this drug and maybe try something natural but not sure what is in this. I have read several horror stories that have concerned me on the withdrawal from this drug. Just looking for something that may be a natural substitute. Thank you so much.. By the way I am 68 years old and take 600 mg at bedtime..

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Re: TBoned (# 8)

After effects are terrible, restless legs, insomnia, and lost my appetite. I don't know what I can take over the counter. I really don't want to take another medication that is going to make me feel this way. Any suggestions?

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I suggest everyone avoid Gabapetin completely! I started on it after my 3rd neck surgery for searing pain down my upper arms and palms of hands. Pain Management thought it better than opioid and ran me up to 3200mgs/day for ~8 months. It did cover 1/2 of my symptoms quite well but the opioid was still required. I still take 2400mgs/day and have failed weaning off and/or switching to Lyrica 3 times in the last 3 years. I recently moved to Michigan and lined up a Pain Management Practice there 3 months in advance with a referral form and medical records. They confirmed they could treat me using my current regiment until I showed up in August and they announced they do not prescribe any controlled substances. How about an ablation in 6 weeks? So now I am scrambling to find a Pain Doc in my new living area with no success. Long story short I will run out of gaba for 2 days and nobody cares. I went to the local hospital with all my records and tracking info showing my gaba mail order has been delayed a week and asked for 8 gabapentin tablets. They refused, but gave me a 600mg dose which I am grateful for. They used to prescribe it like candy but now it is a controlled substance too. Side effects are awful, it gives me restless arms that I can't even begin to explain how agitating it can be.

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Dear Eloise,
I have taken Gabbapentin for over a year supposedly for leg spasms which come on only after I have gone to sleep. They have been excruciating. However, I have experienced significant weight gain--18 pounds during that period. I have decided to implement the following instead of any more gabbapentin:
Wear my compression hose every day.
Continue to drink 8 oz of Tonic Water with Quinine dauily
Do my leg stretches twice a day
Use a rubber roller for 3 minutes on the bottom of each foot.
Stay hydrated.
Take 625 mg of Acetamenophin at bedtime to get a jump on the pain.

All of the above have been suggested by the neurologist who prescribed gabbapentin.

I'll let you know how I do--almost anything is better than being chubby!

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Re: Lynn (# 4)

How do you get it from Mexico? I Have a current prescription, ut I just moved aman I have no Dr.

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Eloise,
I've bid on gabapentin now for three years I believe and I take 800 mg 4 times a day. I have neuropathy in my hands legs and feet it's at an bearable pain!!! I have found no other substitute and since it's taken for nerve pain no doctor will even give me any other kind of pain medication for this. The only other drug they talked about giving me besides this was Lyrica I never tried it so I really don't have any info about the pros and cons of that drug. I wish you all the best and hope that things will get better for you!!!
Sincerely
Always in pain Amy

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Hello. I get my gabapentin in Mexico. I live three hours away. I ran out I take this for hot flashes. What can I take in place for I am going on a trip next week and need something thanks lynn

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Re: Kind (# 2)

Hello,
I take Gabapentin as well.
As far as I know, there are no substitutes other than taking something else that is addictive such as opiates, alcohol, etc. If you hear of something, let me know please.

In my case, after a stroke, my brains left hermispere and the nerves in my right arm missunderstand each other.

Fascinating and annoying - as long as I am on the move, no problem. When trying to rest, the pain will creep up on me and disrupt sleep. Took a ling time for the doctor(s) to figure this out. Physical therapy does not help this particular dilemma. Reprration of signal malfunctions are beyond out grasp presently. Hopefully, this too will change sooner than later.

Emphatically,
The Swede

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You have nerve pain. You should be working with a reflectology for feet. First get a rubber ball and rub it under you sole of your feet both feet needs to be done. Be sitting down safety first 10 minutes each side. 3 to 4 times a day. Go get your feet treated

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Hello, Eloise! How are you?

Unfortunately, there is no over the counter equivalent. Rather than missing tablets, if you have a smart phone, there are quite a few reminder apps available for free that you can set to go off, so they alert you when you need to take your medication. My husband and I both use them on our iPhones.

Some minor withdrawal effects are normal, if you miss a dose. As reported by the FDA, they may also include chills, fever, diarrhea, and rebound depression.

You're really not going to find anything that's proven to help with pain, that doesn't cause such issues. While withdrawal effects may be annoying, they do tend to go away, with time. The biggest problem would be the risk of seizures that can be caused by stopping it cold turkey.

Have you spoken to your doctor, or pharmacist about your concerns? They may even have some ideas for other options you can try.

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