Anyone have a Gabapentin Success Stories?

[[NW...]]

There are a number of us on these boards who are currently tapering or will be tapering Gabapentin.  For some, this experience can be as excruciating and difficult as a benzo taper, particularly if undertaken after tapering off of a Benzo.  I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has a success story to share after successfully tapering and healing from Gabapentin withdrawals.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

NW Guy

[[li...]]

Guy,

 

I've been off Klonopin for 14 months ,and just finished tapering off 300mg gabapentin, which I was given to help ease withdrawal.  I tapered 50mg per week and finished in about 6 weeks.  After discontinuation, I had 2 weeks of worsened anxiety , nausea & insomnia, but now I am about back to baseline.  It was rough, but very doable.  Nothing even close to benzo withdrawal for me. I wish I had gotten off of the gaba sooner, as it did not help much, and gave me horrible suicidal thoughts.  I haven't had a single one since. 

[[Bo...]]

NW Guy,

 

I just finished my taper from 1200mg at night. I did it quick, I cut 200mg every other night and found it extremely easy.  I guess when you've been through the hell we have, nothing really compares. I  can't imagine how anyone would compare it to withdrawing from benzo's, but hey we are all different. I was also very worried about how difficult it would be after reading the stories on here from others,  but at the time I was desperate and needed the help. My guess is you'll do it without much difficulty and find it much easier than what you're anticipating. You can do it, man!

 

God bless,

 

Ryan

[[ci...]]

I was prescribed 1200 mg for 6 weeks and then I tapered off over the next 6 months.  It was difficult to determine what WDs were related to the z-drug or the gabapentin, but I believe most of my WDs were from the z-drug. I had no significant problem with WD from the gabapentin. I just took it slow and I would hold at times when I felt i needed to.

[[NW...]]

Guy,

 

I've been off Klonopin for 14 months ,and just finished tapering off 300mg gabapentin, which I was given to help ease withdrawal.  I tapered 50mg per week and finished in about 6 weeks.  After discontinuation, I had 2 weeks of worsened anxiety , nausea & insomnia, but now I am about back to baseline.  It was rough, but very doable.  Nothing even close to benzo withdrawal for me. I wish I had gotten off of the gaba sooner, as it did not help much, and gave me horrible suicidal thoughts.  I haven't had a single one since.

 

Thanks for the responses, everyone.  I'm trying to decide whether to continue to take 850 mg of Gabapentin during the remainder of my Ativan taper or to reduce at least somewhat before completing Ativan.  I'm taking it for sleep only, and I'm finding it makes me very groggy and hard to get going in the morning.  If anyone has an opinion, please let me know.

 

Livestrong, did you have suicidal thoughts while taking it, or just when reducing?  I've had these thoughts when reducing Gabapentin, but they go away when I'm stabilized. 

 

Thanks,

 

NW Guy

 

[[li...]]

I had terrible suicidal thoughts while on gabapentin.  I have been off a month, and those thoughts are completely gone now.  I also passed out several times after taking my evening dose.  It was a very bad drug for me.