Hello everyone. Joining to seek help with gabapentin.

[[un...]]

35 years old.

 

I deal with free-floating anxiety on a daily basis (without panic attacks).

My reasons for joining Benzo Buddies include mainly to gather information about various plans used to cease daily gabapentin use.  It is the medication I have been prescribed to treat anxiety for almost eight years.  I am prescribed 1500 mg per day, but often take twice this amount. 

 

I have had several trials with phenibut, one heavy and prolonged enough to cause a complete psychosis upon abrupt discontinuation (in addition to the typical benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms).  After two weeks in a absolutely tortured (and in many ways hilarious) headspace, a small amount of lorazepam finally put me to sleep and reset all.  This was over a year ago.

 

I have not often used actual benzos for any lengthy durations, but have dabbled in etizolam and diclazepam most recently as a supplement to what the gabapentin is now failing to do.

 

I would like to discontinue gabapentin to gain more energy and to restore some loss of cognitive abilities.

 

[[me...]]

Hello, and welcome to the forum! It's not a good idea to "dabble" in benzos, since one can become dependent on them very quickly, in as little as a few weeks. 

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Other Medications

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!