GabaPentin - will cause or cure an addiction?

[howbe]

I've been suffering for months from an unusual withdrawal effect of opiate addiction. I get a syndrome somewhat like restless leg in the evenings that is painful and prevents sleep. Withdrawal from hydrocodone produced virtually no withdrawal symptoms (I was not taking much), but the sleep preventing syndrome persists for weeks, probably months to come. I have been desperately seeking something safe to help me sleep, while I wait for my brain disruption to normalize. About 1000mg of Gabapentin each evening shows promise after a few days. But I 've read wildly different things about this drug - from it being non-addicting, to it being harder to get off than the benzos!

I do not know who or what to believe about this drug. I would hate to pill myself into a doctor approved more horrible hell, or take something that will give me a rebound of my problem, if/when I taper off it. Any good information about this drug or how to safely use it (I've been taking a 100mg twice daily and 300mg at night for about 3 weeks, and now take
1000mg only at night, with 10mg of baclofen -- the combination that seems to work).

[Ella789]

I have been taking gabapentin for along time now.  I think it does help with pain issues, it is subtle, and I am not in the least afraid to take it.  I have no addiction to it,  take it or leave it,  but it does seem to help some with pain.  I wish you well,and hope that you will discuss any fears with your Dr.,  he/she can tell you more abt. how it works in your body.  Don't be afraid of the addiction tho, it's not that kind of a drug.  Just my thoughts, hope it helps.

Ella

[pacdom]

Dear Howbe:  Laurel453 saw some of my other posts and asked me to respond to you; sorry it has taken a few days; I see you already have some good advice.  I am a licensed healthcare professional and have prescribed Gabapentin many, many times.  I have some chronic pain patients who take up to 2500mg daily, divided into three different doses.  Gabapentin is an anti-seizure drug; it is not know to be physically addicting.  As long as it is helping your painful restless leg problem, I see no problem unless you try to stop abruptly.  You must taper off over at least one week, or you risk having a seizure. The Baclofen is an older type muscle relaxer and is safe to take with the Gabapentin. It is not known to be addictive and is usually only causes withdrawals if taken intrathecally(i.v. spine).  It wouldn't hurt to wean off it as well however, as it is usually easier on the body to wean off almost all meds. I hope this answers your questions, if not, send me a message. BTW acupuncture and chiropractic help the RLS a lot, along with calcium, magnesium and Hylands restless leg homeopathic, potassium, and ginger tea also help.  Good luck and God Bless.

[AZKathy]

I've been taking gabapentin off and on for RLS and from what I've experienced and been told by the doctors, it's non-addicting and I've experienced  no withdrawal effects from it when not taking it. But I only take 300mg at a time.  I've found that melatonin and valerian root (purchased otc at any store) work quite well to help me sleep, valerian root also good for anxiety.
Hope that helps a bit.
Kathy

[corey411]

Gabapentin...Neurontin seems to have different effects on different people. It has an antidepressant quality and many people have wd symptoms when they just stop taking it. It has to be weaned onto and weaned off of or you will feel effects...although some just stop taking it and are fine. My doc was opiates and I take Neurontin for my spinal stenosis. It took some time for my system to adjust to the side effects but I take it regularly and never crave it or take more than prescribed like I did with opiates. This is the difference for me. Tramadol didn't get me high but I kept popping them anyway to keep from getting dope sick from opiates so I concider this an addictive drug for me(the Trams) and will not use them. I haven't had any desire to misuse my Neurontin and many times forget a dose and don't notice it. There is a big risk of seizures with stopping Neurontin without medical guidence so you should see your doctor and follow his/her instructions. Best of luck to you, Corey

[howbe]

Somehow, I have put myself in a deeper pit. I think the original sleep problem may be resolved. But I in the last several weeks I have taken 900mg gabapentin and 30mg baclofen each night - enough to addict me. These drugs are not considered addicting because they do not make you feel good. But they appear to both subject you to the horrors of benzodiazapine withdrawal. I got in this fix trying to solve my sleep problem. I do not see how any human being can withstand the horrors of getting off two of these. but I welcome any merciful advice, and prayers frankly.  

[laurel453]

I realise now that  you are in a lot of pain and it's not only a problem of a broken sleep, sorry if i misunderstood you, Howbe...

i'm bumping the thread to see if someone can help you with this  :)

maybe someone with gabapentin experience out there ???????