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6815927 tn?1395511425

Gabepentin?

Does anyone have any experience using gabapentin for opiate withdrawals?  I am trying to slowly taper off the  fentanyl patch and oxycodone.

Thanks for any advice!
Best Answer
3197167 tn?1348968606
It is SO COMMENDABLE that you want to deal with your RA in a new way.  You are right, hyperalgesia is quite common after being on opiates for a LONG time for pain.  I had it too.  I chose to wait and re-evaluate my pain levels after I'd been totally off opiates for 60-90 days.  Lots of healing is taking place...and our pain/opiate receptors have to begin to work on their own again.  Initially, the pain INCREASES....I'm sorry to say that, but it does for a bit......then as we produce our own "endogenous morphine".... our bodies natural opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters...known to most of as endorphins.....we get better!  You are on very strong meds and high doses and have been for some time... so I am really glad to hear you are approaching this slowly and with your dr's help.  Even tho you may find yourself wanting to rush the process...you will do MUCH better if you do it slowly.

I wanted to share about my experience with gabapentin with you.  I did read (after I found MedHelp) that it had been used to aide some people in opiate w/drawals.  I didn't know that.  BUT....you see, I was on gabapentin for a few yrs for nerve pain WAY before I had my "defining moment" and chose to get off 3 drugs at once.  I tackled high doses of hydrocodone, soma and prozac (I had been abusing all of them).  I did a VERY ignorant stretch of 28 days on suboxone...and jumped off that at 16 mg/day which no one believes is even possible....so...AFTER THE FACT....I'd say the gabapentin I was on for my first 77 days of h*ll more than likely DID help me!  Was I taking it intentionally to help?  Nope.....I do know NOW....after reading how absolutely crazy it was to jump off 16 mg of suboxone/day....that gabapentin MUST have helped me.  (cause I didn't end up in a psych ward...lol)

Gabapentin and Lyrica are similar....but different.  They are both used for nerve pain.  They both need to be increased gradually "going on them" and then taken evenly throughout the day to keep blood levels consistent.
They both must be weaned/tapered when and if you choose to get off of them.  BUT.....I had no trouble or horrid w/drawals getting off the gabapentin.  On the otherhand....many folks (particularly addicts) have a rough time getting off Lyrica.  There are lots of posts/horror stories here on MedHelp about those people's experiences if you ever want to do a search.

Lastly, the main reason I would choose gabapentin OVER Lyrica is because there is a warning on the drug sheet for addicts going on Lyrica...where there isn't for gabapentin.  This is what it says:

"Along with its benefits, this medication may very rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction"

With all that long mouthy post.....I would say, as you taper down off the fent.patches and reduce your oxy mg's per day.....you may find some benefit in going on gabapentin.  I chose to go off of it 77 days into my recovery journey....but if some of my pain issues don't improve....it is one of the drugs I will reconsider taking.
Hope that helps....and I wish you all the best....you can do this....and I'm so glad you've joined the forum~
43 Responses
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7420335 tn?1390709003
Hello I was just reading posts and noticed your reading lots of recovery books and wanted to recomened the purpous driven life it helped me a lot. Also gabapentin does help for pain and WD I am a recovering heroin addict with sciatica degenerative disc and a torn l4 l5.also a stay at home dad with 2 young girls and the book and gabapentin and daughters smiles keeps me moving every day
Helpful - 0
6815927 tn?1395511425
Mary,
yes, the arthritis is a bear in the cold!!  I can tell such a difference from the weather.  I have used the lidoderm patches on my sacroilliatic joints but have never tried the voltaren gel, perhaps that is worth a try.  I also love heat, I live with my heating pad and stick on the thermacare patches when I am out running around.
I asked my doctor to fax in a prescription for a TENS unit last week.  I don't know if there is any help with rheumatoid arthritis, but it is worth a try.
Phoenix
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6815927 tn?1395511425
Good job Tigerlily, you should be very proud of yourself!  Keep it going and keep me in the loop of your progress...
Phoenix
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1855076 tn?1337115303
I feel for you with the arthritis.  I have it everywhere and the bitter cold isn't helping.  I use Voltaren gel and lidoderm pathches and they sometimes take the edge off.  Sometimes the ThermaCare heated patches help when the pain is that deep bone pain.  Putting a bunch of things together helps a little.  It's so cold here right now the heating system for downstairs can't keep up so it is very cold.  Good excuse to stay in bed and watch reality tv and play on the computer.
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Avatar universal
Phoneix,
Thank you! And I'm coming off a couple opiates, roxys, oxycontin was my favorite but I would take pretty much anything...im pretty much cold turkey, although I ended up stopping my doc on Nov 10, but then on December 5 I took an opana, followed by 9 Percocet and a few subs, so it was kind of a relapse kind of a taper...
And yes I believe everything happens for a reason too...i had just come home with a bottle of gabapentin didn't know what it was, got on here, and you had just posted that lol, I was first to respond I was so excited lol! And yes the gabapentin has helped me tremendously!
Helpful - 0
6815927 tn?1395511425
hi Tigerlilly,
that was a great post!  I am so glad to hear that the gabepentin is helping you (it is very peculiar that you happened to stumble across my post when you did--I truly believe everything happens for a reason.)  It gives me hope that perhaps the gabepentin could help me.  I am going so slow in my fentanyl taper that I don't have the classic wd symptoms--just really exhausted, anxious and my legs twitch.  Of course the arthritis pain that had been somewhat controlled is in full force now.  How I will make it through a year of this I am not sure--perhaps the gabepentin will help me too.
your doing a great job!  keep going strong!  what medication are you coming off of?  are you going CT?
again--GREAT work, keep it going!!!
Phoenix
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6815927 tn?1395511425
Mary, I completely agree with you--fentanyl should be reserved only for end of life pain and those who have a limited life span and understand they will never be coming off of the medication.
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Avatar universal
Hey phoenix!
Yes, I am having great success with the gabapentin! I don't even really feel like I'm in wd, and the gabapentin and my attitude are the only things that have changed, so its got to be that helping me! I'm so glad you posted that right when I needed it! The Dr had just given it to me for anxiety and pain, and I wasn't even going to take it until I read your post and then read up on it!
And I say those are the only 2 things that have changed and made a difference because unfortunately this isn't my first time.
The other things im doing for my last wd are taking my regular meds for antidepressant and anxiety and PTSD, which included 20mg paxil, 450mg trileptal, and 1mg klonopin but im tapering that one as well, which is why they gave me the gabapentin. I'm prescribed 900 mg a day, in 3 pills, sometimes I take a little more when the wd symptoms start creeping in!
I also take a multivitamin everyday and a calcium and vitamin d supplement, and different forms of b vitamins.
I also am trying to move, even exercise a little, and I would be taking a million Epsom salt baths if I wasn't a single mom with no help lol! I also try to take it slow, one day at a time. I'm reading lots of inspirational books, my bible, and posting here. And trying to remember what Pat said, it is what it is! And I try to keep it light and funny! I've been watching lots of kid movies, it gives us a chance to sit still and just chill. My daughters favorite is Peter pan and tinkerbell, and like they say all we need is faith trust and pixie dust lol!
Hope you are doing well today!
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1855076 tn?1337115303
I did not go back on Fentanyl.  I w-ould never use it again, unless it was for end of life pain.  I went back on a small to moderate dose of oxycontin and oxycodone.  I got of the oxycontin when my BP stabilized.  I had started the oxycodone taper when I found out about the aneurysm and was told to stop until that was taken care of.
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6815927 tn?1395511425
hi Tigerlilly,
I am glad to hear from you.  So you are finding success with the gabepentin?  What dose are you taking?  What wd symptoms are you finding help with?
thank you for sharing!!
ps--you mentioned doing other things as well, what else are you doing for wd help?  :o)
Helpful - 0
6815927 tn?1395511425
hi Mary, wow you have had your share of issues too!  So you were on the fentanyl, decided to taper and came off.  Then your BP skyrocketed due to pain so you are now back on the fentanyl.  What dose are you on?  I am so sorry to hear about the aneurysm.  I can only imagine how had this must be, especially coping during the holidays.
IVIG is intravenous immunologlulin.  It is essentially blood plasma proteins from about 5000 donors and it is given to those who cannot maufacture their own immune system.  I have Common Variable Primary Immune Deficiency (primary indicates genetic origin as opposed to an acquired origin.)  It is not a lot of fun, infusions take all day then an additional 2-3 days to recover every month.  I guess I should be happy to have a treatment.
I am doing ok I guess, I am having a hard time with a lot of things these days....:o)
wishing you the best!
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Avatar universal
So I'm taking the gabapentin now and I have to say it is helping me tremendously! I am doing other things as well, but I am having hardly any wd symptoms!
Helpful - 0
1855076 tn?1337115303
I don't know what IvIg is.  I'll have to look it up.  Tapering was best for me because I have other health issues.  I just didn't know enough to do one med at a time or to go really slow.  After I got off the Fentanyl, I went to my primary care doctor and she worked with me getting off the rest.  I was put on so many different things that I didn't know what was helping and what wasn't.  I was off everything for a while and then started having trouble with my BP.  Just couldn't get it down with any combo  of meds.  Mt primary care thought it was pain causing the elevation and after a lot of talking to her and a new pain doc, I went on it last year.  My blood pressuremstarted coming down and I started to taper down.  A couple of momths ago I was having extreme trembling in my left arm when my right arm was in a certain position. I thought it was a flare of a herniated disk in my neck.  One day I was making coffee and I got the trembling in my arm and leg.  I ended up at the er and they found an aneurysm.  All the doctors I saw told me to stop the taper, so I'm stuck until they decide what to do about the aneurysm.  I see a top neurosurgeon on December 26.  I'm pretty nervous about it.

How are yoy doing now?
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Avatar universal
Wow, I just found my way back to this post, and you have been given so much good advice! The people here are so awesome and helpful, they are truly angels! I would follow their advice! Atthdbeach Debbie had helped me immensely and had great advice for you! Rosy gave you some great info with her links! Marycarmal and clean in ks make some great points you should take into account, I actually read all the info and added it to my arsenal as well lol! and many people here seem to have your same situation! I'm coming off roxy, had a few slip UPS with an opana, couple of perks than a few suboxone. But I haven't taken any of that stuff today. But, a little while ago, I did take one of my gabapentin and I have to say I do feel better...thank you everyone here and phoenix we are all here for you!
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6815927 tn?1395511425
Mary, your former medication profile sounds a lot like mine.  I feel like I have been prescribed everything under the sun--and I am taking more meds to cover the side effects of the other meds.  It is a very frustrating double edged sword.  Thank you for sharing.  
I am getting my IVIG infusion tomorrow and they give me am extra 3 liters of fluid over the 24-36 hours.  I hate the IVIG (makes me sick) but I know I am dehydrated and u am looking forward to the fluids.
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1855076 tn?1337115303
First I tried to CT everything.  I was on 75 mcg Fentanyl eevery 48 hours, oxycodone for breakthrough pain 45-69 mg every 4 hours, ativan 1 mg 3 times a day, Cymbaltan90 mg/day, Ambien 10 mg every night.  There may have been more.  I flushed all of it at the same time.  I didn't have the mental aspect of addiction and never misused my meds.  I didn't like what it was all doing to me.  My pain clinic did not think it was a good idea to come off them.  I have oteher health issues, hypertension, a small heart problem, fibromyalgia, a herniated disk in my back and mORE.

I wound up in the ER getting Iv fluids.  My doctor refilled all my scripts and I tried to taper.  I wanted to be off ever'ything so bad.  I wound up tapering too fast and was miserable.  One of the angels from here made me realizeI needed to slow down and feelstable before dropping another dose.  It's a slow process but forme was the better way to do it.

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6815927 tn?1395511425
Thank you again everyone, I look forward to being able to get off these drugs and "feel" again.  I made it through today on the lower dose (175 ug) and one dose of oxy this morning.  Not exactly clean but I resisted the unbelievable urge to put on another patch or take another dose of oxy.  The worst physical symptom is these awful muscle twitches!  Not RLS exactly, but more of a jerk or spasm.  Myoclonus perhaps?  I took my supplements tonight, calcium with magnesium and zinc, stress b vitamins, Lysine, glutamine and theanine with my evening dose of clonidine and I think they got a little bit better.  Not sure which of this cocktail helped, I tend to think it was the calcium and magnesium.
I am not looking forward to (not) sleeping tonight.  It is hard to believe that such a small decrease of the fentanyl can have such a huge impact.
Goodnight everyone
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Avatar universal
hey, yes as CIK stated you are taking a lot of opiates, slow and steady my friend! Once you get things straight in your head with wanting to be free it will all fall into place, I promise you!
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3197167 tn?1348968606
You are SO WELCOME!!  Don't be a stranger....we'll be with you thru your taper and beyond.   175 strength Fent.patches and 240 mg of oxy per day is A LOT of opiates to taper off of...and I think you said you'd been on these for 20 years?  Anyhoo....long time.... and very high doses of opiates....so take it slow and easy....it'll be a booger...but you can do it!!!

If you know that childhood story of the tortoise and the hare.....wrap your brain around it and hold tight:  slow and steady wins the race~  
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6815927 tn?1395511425
Clean in ks-- wow, thanks so much for the great information.  That was a huge help!  I appreciate all of your thoughts and energy, especially your feedback on gabepentin.  I can't imagine how you did the jump from sub.  I tied a  50% reduction in the fentanyl and that was enough to question my sanity.

The overwhelming responses to help are truly heartwarming.  I can't thank you all enough.
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3197167 tn?1348968606
Great share!!!  and you are walking TALL....6 months next week!! WAHOO
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3048701 tn?1486130938

On the advice of others on this forum, I saw an addiction psychiatrist for help with my at-home detox from a nasty hydrocodone addiction.  (Just 1 visit.) He prescribed Neurontin (along with Clonidine and Trazadone).  I was never able to complete a detox before, but the meds helped me break-through this time.  I would say that the combination of meds reduced my discomfort from a "10" to a "4".  On Wednesday, I'll be 6-months clean.

Everyone is different, but it's worth a discussion with your doctor, especially if you haven't been able to complete a detox before.
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5904477 tn?1390245415
Welcome Phoenix!  I am 67 days clean from a 20 plus a day of Norco. I was prescribed gabapentin for my cold turkey withdrawal. I took it for 3 weeks followed by a quick 7 day taper. For me, it worked wonders!  I have tried quitting before and the RLS and sleepless nights always caused a relapse. The gabapentin stopped me from kicking all night and allowed me at least 6 hours of sleep at night. The only side effect I had was slight weight gain which I need a huge weight gain!  Gabapentin is prescribed at the big rehab here in Dallas for everyone. I hope it works for you too. Stay close to this forum as the angels here saved my life!
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Avatar universal
Wow girl! You blew me away with that awesome post! You really know your stuff! We are lucky to have you here sharing your knowledge!
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