Virgo - Near psychosis from c/t gabapentin withdrawal

[[Vi...]]

Hi, I joined this board because from reading it, it seems like some of you are familiar with gabapentin as its effects are similar to benzos (especially the withdrawal). I have never withdrawn from an actual benzo before, but I was taking gabapentin for a little more than a year for anxiety.. It caused the same problems for me that benzos do for others: tolerance withdrawal, cognitive problems, and such a hellish time coming off that I may have to go back and taper.

 

I quit c/t about 1800mg gabapentin a day (600mg 3/x day) about two weeks ago. I toughed out the initial withdrawal (cold sweats, minor seizures) and I thought I was starting to get better, but as of yesterday I am worse than I was the first day. I am honestly scared that I am slipping into psychosis. The panic attacks never let up, and I can't sleep at all. My thoughts are racing and going into loops, constant deja vu, constant shaking, feeling like I'm going to throw up from the terror.

 

I still have the gabapentin so I was thinking about going back on it and doing a slow taper. I wanted it all out of my system right away but the risk is becoming too great. I may need help with a taper plan though, and some support.

[[Ni...]]

Hi Virgo,

 

There are members here who have been/are on gabapentin and this medication needs to be tapered as well.

 

You've abruptly stopped at a very high dose. I strongly urge you to seek medical attention immediately and get some help with what you are suffering through right now.

 

It's likely a doctor will have you taper the gabapentin. We do have a section called Other Medications, and there are members who discuss their gabapentin tapers there.

 

Please go to a doctor today and if you can't get in I'd go to the ER and tell them my symptoms. I'm sorry you're in this spot.

[[Vi...]]

Thank you. I am thinking of going to the hospital...

[[Vi...]]

I called the hospital, but I don't think I need to go. I restarted the gabapentin (and my antidepressant, which I also quit c/t) but at a lower dose than I was taking before. So I think I'll need to taper off from 600mg/day. I'll seek some advice in the other meds forum. Thank you..

[[pr...]]

Hi--

 

I CT'd off 1200 mg of gabapentin and had a terrible reaction, similar to yours.  I reinstated to 300 mg and it was still rough for a bit but after four to six months the worst was over.  Then I began to taper slowly.  It's pretty easy to liquid titrate gabapentin if you want, it's water soluble.

 

Also, as you have now learned, it's a bad idea to CT any meds that work on neurotransmitters.  When you're ready to come off your A/D you can taper that too.

 

Hopefully with the reinstatement things will settle down for you now.  I'd suggest waiting until you're feeling pretty stable before commencing to taper further.

 

Good luck! We'll be rooting for you.

[[Vi...]]

Thank you. I reinstated at 300mg on Thursday, kept on that until Friday, then started to taper down today. I'm tapering by 3mg (1%) each day until I'm off. I thought about doing liquid titration but I have a milligram scale, so I can just dump out powder and my dose will stay accurate.

[[...]]

Virgo I was taking Gabapentin for pain relief and cut it down slowly over a few months.  I don't take it at all now.  I can honestly say it was fine for me though everyone is different.  If you are taking an anti d as well I could not recommend stopping that keep on that consistently and then taper that after the gabapentin.  I expect the doctor got you to gradually increase the gabapentin when you started so its important you do that as you withdraw.  Good luck.  You are not alone.  You wil be ok.  Keep posting  Flyxx