NEURONTIN WITHDRAWALS,,I CANNOT BREATHE

[[MA...]]

I have a question about neurontin withdrawals.I was on 1800 milligrams and came off in January. When I came off it felt like i just ct a benzo. I was insane mentally. I could not get out of bed for almost three months. I was a mess. Since I have serious issues with my breathing. I can hardly expand my lungs.I have surges in my body of adrenaline all the time. tingling sensation in feet and hands. swelling in my ankles and knees. I can hardly walk. I have bad lower back pain. Feels like an open blister all the time. Balance is completely off. And my brain is not right. I have cog fog all the time. Has anyone heard of withdrawals like this. I am so worried about my breathing. I wake up panting and gasping for air. and it comes and goes all day long. If i move my body it's always bad. If I stay still I can try and bare with it easier. So strange. If anyone can help me or give me somekind of insite I would really appreciate it.I cannot function at all. Always feel like i'm passing out. Like my brain is a bowling ball in my head. Is this withdrawals??thanks :'( I have been off 4.5 months and I cannot seem to get any relief...

[[Pa...]]

Hi Marlene,

 

Could you add a signature to your profile so we can see your med history, here's the link with some instructions.  http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=9432.0

 

Everything you describe sounds like benzo withdrawal, were you on a benzo as well?

[[MA...]]

hey pam...yes i was on benzos

i've been off for eight months now. Seems like the neurontin put me over the edge a lot ...These sx's with the lungs only happened when I came off the neurontin. i'm in hell

[[Pa...]]

Yes, if you weren't healed from the benzo's when you quit the Neurontin, it got slammed much like people who take the Quinolone antibiotics, double whammy.  Have your symptoms improved in any way?

[[ju...]]

Marlene--

 

Sounds like you're having a pretty rough time of it. Hope your obligations right now are low-key, and that you can lie back and take it as easy as you can.

 

Clonidine is an alpha-adrenergic blocker which is used by a lot of P-docs. I've never had a problem with Neurontin, but then again, I've never taken over 2 grams/24 hrs, either. I must cut out some N every day, looks like, and then I might be better able to compare notes with you on this and offer more informed support.

 

Take it light,

 

jd

[[st...]]

Hi Marlene,

 

I don't have a clue as to why our breathing issues are so bad.  Mine is probably caused from both the fluoroquinolones and the Xanax.  I am guessing here but it could be from peripheral neuropathy, autonomic dysfunction and/or axonal/neuronal damage????  I still have the breathing problem 3 years out, especially in the mornings.  I need 2 hours of quiet and nonmovement so as not to have a huge flare-up of feeling not able to breathe.  I used to hyperventilate all throughout the days for the first 18 months (up to 160 breaths/minute).  Some members have the breathing problems for the first few months during and shortly after tapering but it has resolved for most of them.  Just remember that you are getting enough oxygen and try to relax.  I also had edema of the feet and ankles.  They would swell to 3 times their size.  I only get it intermittently now and the edema is mild.  Your symptoms sounds like withdrawals to me.  Have you had any blood work done?  I was tested positive for Lyme's disease (caught early and treated).  A thyroid check would also be in order.  Just a thought to ease your mind.

 

Patty  xo

[[MA...]]

well today i spent the day in the ER. Blood work was fine. Said i need to see a lung specialist. And i should take benzos for anxiety. That told me that it was my very last trip to the hospital. It amazing how people have no clue about benzos.NONE

If my breathing would just calm down I would be so much better. I thought maybe it was from my surgery. I recently had a tumor in my parathyroid gand. It's been about a month now. But my calcium was ok too. So the only left is withdrawals. I'm so stressed with other things in my life. I'm losing my home and I am totally broke. My mom and Dad are very ill and I can hardly walk. So dizzy all the time. still shaking. can't believe it. it's 4.5 months off the neurontin, but when I came off it was just like cold turkey. just like a benzo to my brain. I guess i have to pray that I can make some money and stay alive for now..Pray for me... :'(

[[sa...]]

well today i spent the day in the ER. Blood work was fine. Said i need to see a lung specialist. And i should take benzos for anxiety. That told me that it was my very last trip to the hospital. It amazing how people have no clue about benzos.NONE

If my breathing would just calm down I would be so much better. I thought maybe it was from my surgery. I recently had a tumor in my parathyroid gand. It's been about a month now. But my calcium was ok too. So the only left is withdrawals. I'm so stressed with other things in my life. I'm losing my home and I am totally broke. My mom and Dad are very ill and I can hardly walk. So dizzy all the time. still shaking. can't believe it. it's 4.5 months off the neurontin, but when I came off it was just like cold turkey. just like a benzo to my brain. I guess i have to pray that I can make some money and stay alive for now..Pray for me... :'(

 

Dear Marlene,

 

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time.  I can imagine how frightening you must feel not being able to catch your breath and I'm sorry about your recent surgery.

 

Economic problems are enough to make anyone stressed, never mind losing your house, my heart goes out to you, and  never mind benzo withdrawal on top of it.  I'm sorry your parents are ill - I lost my my Mom a bit over three years ago and lost my Dad last September.

 

I was put on 1200 mgs. of Neurontin 2 1/2 years ago after a cold turkey withdrawal from Ativan and was able to taper down to 300 mgs. over the first 6 months but I am so fragile right now I'm scared to death to taper any more, so I feel stuck.  Who let you c/t from all of that Neurontin?  Were they insane or what is your own choice because I know high levels of Neurontin make you feel tired and weak all of the time - yes, they say Neurontin is not addictive but we both know that's a huge lie.  I'm so sorry you are still feeling the effects after 4 1/2 months.

 

I'm not big on prayers but I'll say one for you.  Please hang in there - there are lots of people who care about you and I know people here will try to give you all the support that you need.

 

Sara

[[MA...]]

Thank you Sara....I came off neurontin because it was like a benzo to my brain. Side effects were horrible. It made me feel like i was losing my mind on it as well as coming off. I was trapped. My brain built up a tolerlance to it.Thanks for the prayers. I need them desperately...

[[st...]]

Good morning, Marlene.  Stopping by to check on you.  Have you been able to make plans about finding another place to live in case you lose your home?  Between having ill parents and the other stressors it must weigh heavily on your mind.  This economy has financially hit so many people.  Have you gotten any windows at all?

 

Patty  xoxo

[[MA...]]

No windows Patty. My days consist of gasping for air and pain in evey nerve in my body. I'm trying to work. I wonder what God has planned for me.My mind is a mess. I cannot imagine packing. I can hardly stand up.I just keep saying that this is happening to me for a reason but I don't know why.I just feel like i have to lay down all the time. Have a hard time keeping my head up.Just wish i could breathe.Thanks for checking on me. I appreciate it.wonder when this is going to be over with. I'm going to a lung specialist tomorrow. They found a nodule on my lungs. Boy, this is really something else isn'tit. I hope you are well. Your a beautiful woman.

Thanks again. No one gets benzos,,no one

[[st...]]

How was your lung nodule diagnosed, Marlene? Was it with a chest x-ray?  I was misdiagnosed with moderate to severe emphysema.  Try not to worry until you get further results.  I see you are suffering from that horrible fatigue symptom.....horrible, just horrible.  Bless your little heart for still working as it must be so hard on you.

 

Patty  xoxo

[[sa...]]

How was your lung nodule diagnosed, Marlene? Was it with a chest x-ray?   I was misdiagnosed with moderate to severe emphysema.  Try not to worry until you get further results.  I see you are suffering from that horrible fatigue symptom.....horrible, just horrible.  Bless your little heart for still working as it must be so hard on you.

 

Patty   xoxo

 

Marlene - I had a lung nodule also, diagnosed like 10 years ago and was having Cat scans every year- it turned out to be nothing and stable every time. I'm so sick of tests and doctors I haven't had it checked in 3 years.  I'm a smoker, quit for 10 years once but smoke a 1/2 pack a day - stupid I know.

 

I can't believe you're still working - you're an incredibly strong woman! 

 

Sara

 

PS - Patty, if you don't mind me asking, are you a a former/present smoker?  How were you misdiagnosed with moderate to severe emphysema?  That must have been traumatic just to hear the news at first.  I'm glad you don't have it!

[[st...]]

Sara, I had a pulmonary function test done because of 24/7 mucus and abnormal breathing which indicated the moderate to severe emphysema.  The pulse oximeter reading went down to 86% when walking the corridors at the doc's office.  I had oxygen tanks brought into my home and  ordered my own pulse oximeter.  Finally, a CT scan of the lungs shows early, mild onset emphysema.  I questioned this with the pulmonary doc and he stated they go by the PFT test.  I had a terrible argument with him and asked him to please think outside the box.....as a matter of fact my sister had to intervene to calm us both down.  When I first saw the pulmonary doc he stated that I should come back when I no longer had mucus issues which were caused from sinus issues from the Levaquin/Xanax meds and I had to refer him back to the first visit.  The sinus problems caused airway blockages and wheezing but I refused any inhalers, etc. from my ENT doctor out of fear that it would interfere with my healing process.  I did resort to taking Astepro, a nasal spray that hinders mucus production.  The pulmonary doc referred me back to my neurologist which wasn't any help either.  My pulse ox reading is now 97-98%, wheezing has just about subsided and oxygen tanks were sent back.  Yes, I continue to smoke 6-8 cigarettes a day and I must stop. 

 

Patty  xo