Gabapentin Neurontin

[bmc1976]

Just wanted to let everyone know how things are going. I can't believe how well gabapentin has worked. I've been thru the withdrawals going cold turkey 3 times in the past without anything to help. I was presribed gabapentin about a month ago for pain. It didn't help for that. I did some research on it and it is used for withdrawals. It has been 90% easier than before and trust me, I know how bad it is. The only syptoms I have had this time is I'm just a little cold and a bit of anxiety but nothing like before. I guess it's not normally prescribed for withdrawals because it has not been approved for that but I would think most docs would prescribe it because it can be used for pain and is a non narcotic. There are many other uses for it. I read there can be a withdrawal effect when stopping it so I only plan on taking it for a week. I only had to take 1 today and I was taking over 25 hydros a day until Sunday. I stopped completely monday. I just want to let people know about this because of how well it seems to be working.
Brian

[Gavalar37]

Hi Brian, I would be very careful with Gabapentin and especially Pregabalin. I made the mistake of not carrying out any research before I took it. Please do some digging. I’m not saying it doesn’t help, it does, for quite a few ailments but its the payback you get, if the relief if your symptoms outweigh the seriously negative effects on your brain and body both whilst taking it and for many years after, then it may be worth it, but I would honestly accept the pain I was in prior to taking it given the chance again. I was in a self help group with 10k members all with the same seriously negative effects of these drugs, I won’t name it but if I found it at my lowest point I’m sure others can too. Do some digging

[Maria0920]

I'm on suboxone and I'm down to less than 2mgs a day so I had my family prescribe me gabapentin and Clonidine for the withdrawal and both combined work wonders. There are times I feel if I were to just stop taking the subs I'd be completely fine. Idk if you know this or not but after you take gabapentin for a week or 2 you may need a bit more  for it to work the same way. Honestly though your withdrawal symptoms should only last around 2 week max. It could be a bit longer but everyone is different. You're doing great, keep it up and you'll beat this!!!!!

[Pennyroll1977]

I have used gabapentin for withdrawal symptoms in the past. It is a GOD SEND. It soooo much better than Ultram that is used by detox centers now.

[Money4me]

Gabapentin has been prescribed to me for nerve pain and it has
Not helped me much.  Nighttime is the worst   I now take 325mil of
Vicoden n low dose Xanax to help me sleep

[meteor645]

I've been on Gabapentin for a looong time...over 4 years.. For two reasons, as a substantial pain reliever but also to control my epilepsy. To this day, I will also stand by the fact that it is also a great mood stabilizer. It's great for anxiety. What a medication! But it's not for everyone.

[finlyclen]

Please believe me methadone is no fix for getting off anything.its trading one drug for another.I was hooked on any opiates i could get my hands on so i went to a methadone clinic and it almost ruined my life.I got so hooked on the methadone i would sell anything i had so i could go and get my weeks worth of methadone. It made me lazy and i lost interest in about everything.It is more addictive than words can describe.When i did not get my doses, the second day was a living nightmare,extreme shakes,sweating,my whole body was in extreme pain,it made me want to die,it took me weeks to get it out of my system. methadone is the legal devils drug.

[marycarmel]

This is a really old post.  You'll get better responses if you post a new question.  Why are you going the methadone route?  And I'm not sure what you're asking about the Neurontin?  Are you planning on taking that with the methadone?  Is it being prescribed by a doctor? If you give a little more information, you'll probably get better responses.

[cmeth]

I am taking methadone today is my first day I haven't been able to take it I was late iam worried about withdrawls I was wondering if neurontin works for this I really need an answere please help

[magnaman]

If you have a propensity to abuse drugs stay far away from Lyrica. Read this carefully. It is not the same as Neurontin which is very similar but the bio availability is different and consequently safer.  My son abused Lyrica and it is extremely hard to break free from.  Let this be a warning to anyone considering Lyrica.  It works well for many but for those that tend to abuse, it can destroy your life as well as those around you. Most doctors don't even recognize that it is a drug that can be abused but it is! That's why it is listed as a scheduled substance. Believe me Pfizer knows of it's addictive potential.

[mommaofboys]

Look up law suits against gabapentin... Don't fool yourself like I did. This Med is killing people and others after long term use are having life long affects..
I know I thought this Med was so great. Loved taking it for years. Till the day I ran out. Then I found it has withdrawls,so I just made sure I always had plenty. Now on I still have crazy side affects and its cause my skin to burn, witch it comes with withdraws to, my speech is sometimes off,memory is getting worst as months go by, hot flashes, pain in my hands and I could keep on but please I have done Meth, pop pills, percets, lortab, the 13 days with drawls from pain pills was a breeze compare to the meds. Is has cause insomia with exstream mental affects. Only people with seziers are ment to take this.. just read the lawsuits. That's where the truth on this Med really is...

[mommaofboys]

I have went thru the withdrawal from many things in my life,none witch are day or fun,but for anyone I stress with everything I am. STOP the gabapentin it is the worst thing I have ever been thru. To see how bad the effects are check out lawsuit against gabapentin. U will see its the worst withdrawls out there and its causing permant affects to people. I know it has me. Many have killed there self and its been proven it was cause from a side affect of the meds.. keep reading on the Med and its long term affects and the lawsuits where he has paid millions cause if this

[monk815]

been taking around 90 mgs of oxy daily for quite a while, recently proscribed gabapenten. will it help get off oxy

[jallen421]

I was addicted to opiates for 3 or 4 years....went to rehab...got out...and had horrible cravings. So, went to a Dr. that prescribed suboxone. What they forget to tell you is that you have to go through a similiar HELL to get off those too. Im down to 1mg. ...but when I miss a day the withdrawals start. The Drs. want to tell you , its all in your head. But, if you know about this drug...you know its NOT! The Drs want you on these drugs like Suboxone and Methodone bc they get government kick-backs. I was recently told about the drug Gabapentin. I'm going to give it a try. If I can take it for a week with no withdrawals...then I'm in! I have been through the withdrawals many times and the thoughts of it scares me bc I dont want to be driven to use again. I've been on suboxone for 2 years. And started  off at 2mg. I know most people start at 8mg...3 times a day. If Gabapentin can replace the opiate based drugs they give you to get off opiates....then why don't they give it to addicts???? I'm willing to risk the Gabapentin for a week and be done with this continuous cycle of maddness that is ruling my life!

[earnhardt88]

I just wrote a very long and meaningful comment and before I could post I pushed one wrong button and its all gone like it didn't mean a thing. It didn't tho. The only person it meant something to is me and I already know what I meant to express to anyone who will listen or anyone who needs help or a Lil insight into what is or has been happening to them or a loved one or a friend. My last comment must have been atleast a few pages and a lot of helpful insight I would like to believe. I am a 30 something blue collar middle class american who drives a nice truck works a good job with good pay and a beautiful wife w two beautiful baby boys 3 and 9 months who all adore me. I work hard and am dedicated to providing my family with all their needs. I am a in a lead position w my company and a lot depends on my decisions and my expertise. With that my bank account depends on how I perform and manage to feed itself with the almighty dollar. So pretty much I have a lot of responsibility and cannot afford to miss a beat when I wake up in the morning and start my day. I'm closer to being poor than rich but my family and I have all we need and a lil extra. I do live pretty much check to check. I couldn't afford no more than 3 weeks without a good check before we would be on the streets. So all in all my health and well being are priority in my life for if I miss a beat my family misses a beat. I'm very dedicated to my career and put all my best in my work. For my work is a reflection of me and I'm a reflection of my family and so it goes how we live how we act and how we love are all insights to who and what we are and can become. So for me to admit I'm a addict of prescription drugs hurts and makes me want to bury my head in the sand. For anyone addicted to any drug has and will always be out for himself and living in a foggy world only they will understand. So like a domino effect all you do falls down the chain to all those around you or envolved in your life. That's the first understanding we all need to realize . There is not one decision you make that will not effect your family. I am currently trying a abstract method to get off pills more info later. Also right next to that is the fact you aren't ready to get off pills until you can admit its a big problem and you need help. Help doesn't necessarily mean you must go to rehab and be locked away until sober. I'm seeking help my own way with my wife. So my story is I've done drugs my whole life, not the hard stuff always or everyday I mean I've been around drugs, experimented,  been hooked, and been sober.  All at the same time I have come to the realization that I have an addiction for life and I will always be battling my demons and trying to overcome the urges I face in life which will bring me down and back to hole in the earth I came. But its not about what I was or what I could be its about what I am right now and what I am striving to become. These pills which society has excepted as relief and a helpful medicine were invented due to their ability to either numb or mask the painful feelings of the flesh. So when you indulge in this feeling of euphoria its not reality its a mirage. When the pill wears off so does your image of the world and your dealings in it. So keep in mind addiction isn't wanting to feel relaxed or free of back pain its when u take that drug to alter your state of mind. Truly sober people don't like pain killers they'd rather deal w the pain then feel uncomfortably numb and in an altered state of mind they quite don't understand. That's why these drugs affect the high school kid so easily , its the altered state of mind were all looking for. And that's why its dangerous when do u know what's altered and whats reality? When u wake up from your daze you'll. Be alive for those who lose touch of that fine line they'll never know the difference for they'll never wake up. So I'm desperate I finally got a few days off first in months, so now is time to go to battle. I tried last time cold turkey and nearly died the effects of the opiate were just manifested in my entire being. My wife said it was time to quit, not me! So I wasn't ready. A week and some change later I'm ready. I can't afford to chase the dragon its expensive and costly to the mind neither of those I can afford. Also all other pills are garbage, they used to give me a lil buzz and maintain my addiction thru other opiate based pills until I got my roxies. Now all I can take is roxies. Nothing gives me that warm cozy feeling like a roxie I can take 10 norcos or 10 vicodin and ill only get a stomach ache. Its time to quit before the pills take my life . I knew this day would come and I've been waiting, the day that I have to make a choice fix my wrongs or fall into the mumified state, lose my luvs, lose my job, lose my family, and go back to being a slave to the system. The system that wants us to stand in line, hand out and receive our medications in the form of a simple pill. BooooooooooM!!!!          

So let my new journey begin............... from the brinks of insanity I will find my mind once again. I won't stop until I win my life back, and this time I'm keeping myself forever ill never give myself up to the blood sucking creatures on the bottom of the abyss. May their stingant puss fester and wrap themselves together forever in a pool of bile slightly stirred!!! I shall go and pick dandylyons with my precious kitty furry!!! Tootles nick blinko

[JennBlom]

How did this drug work in the long run.. I have to take pain pills every day cause of my back.. I was given this to try and I would love to stop taken pain pills.

[sudie58]

this is a very old thread, you may not be noticed here, go to top of page and post your question there, you will get more replies that way, best wishes

[mallory376]

My husband was released from rehab a month ago.  His Psyc has him on 3600mg of Neurotin a day and 36mg of Subutex a day with 60mg of Cymbalta.  Some days he seems okay, but most days he can't think, walk right, speak right.  He was sent home from work today because he "didnt seem right."  He's angry at me and doesn't believe that anythign is wrong with him.  What should I do?  If the doc tells him to take 3600 mg then by george he's going to take all 3600 mg.  I dont know who he is or how to reach him.  Doesnt this seem like a high cocktail of drug dosing?

[Shewholvs]

I have been on neurontin for seven years. I was put on that and Zeprexa for sleep. I suffer from chronic depression, anxiety and panic disorder. Last year my doctor said I was borderline diabetic. Then she said no wonder you are on zeprxa. I went off of it and the symptoms of withdrawl were horrible. Now I am on seraquil and neurontin I noticed my sugar is going up again. I read some of the symptoms for both and they are both high blood sugar. I am concerned and I want to go off off all of it. I am on 100 mg of neurontin at bed time. I have thought about just stopping it but after reading the withdrawl affects it scares me. My psychritist has been concerned about my sugar. It returned to normal until I started taking the seraquil I am sure I spelled that wrong. I know this is a lot but I want off the neurontin and I am afraid to just stop.....I hope someone can advise me. Yes I had weight gain, I have not had problems with my hair falling out or my nails not growing that I have notice but I also take the hair skin and nails which makes it all grow faster. Maybe I am in the wrong forum but I believe I need to get off of all this stuff and I know I can not do it alone... Hope someone can advise me...

[Scotmc007]

First day on  Gabapentin and I was suffering from diabetic nueropathy mainly in my feet.  My dose is 300mg 3 times a day which seems like a lot but it's working very well on my foot pain.  I am also on 40mg 2x a day oxycontin for bulging disc back pain which didn't really have a big effect on my foot pain - I have tried lyrica as well and that didn't have the same effectiveness on my foot pain.  Just an FYI here - I am liking the result so far...  I weigh about 225lbs.  

[kaboy1]

Any thoughts on how it might help with Methadone withdrawls?

[bowser11]

Anyone know if it is effective for anxiety from Marijuana withdrawals??

[cranialcut]

Hi guys, great posts - I am glad that many of you are interested in Gabapentin but are being cautious as it is a medication and you should consult a medical professional before starting it, and stopping it too!  I am truly sorry that some of you are having such a hard time with Gabapentin, are you articulating this to your provider(s)?  The reason I ask ...

I am a medical doctor specializing in cranial surgery and post op care.  I write about 3 rxs for gabapentin a week.  Although gabapentin is really only indicated for sezuires and pain related to shingles - many doctors - including myself - use GPN as a medication that can treat almost 8-12 conditions in part "off-label".  Although gabapentin is written for mild anxiety and mood disorders often, it is not indicated for this as there are few bonafide studies backing up these claims.  In fact, there have been major lawsuits stopping the "off-label" promotion that Gabapentin can be used like many other AED's (anti-sezuire drugs) such as Lamictal, Depakote, Depakene for Bipolar Disorder and other disorders that would benefit from a mood stabilizer - so if you are prescribed Gabapentin for a mood disorder (without an "anchor" medication, i.e. not just as an adjunt, but as the "main medication" for your mood), ask your doctor about it - this is why you/the state pays your doctor.  Be informed!  It keeps us on our feet.

GPN can be dangerous and is warned by the FDA that it can increase suicidal tendencies.  You need to be weaned/titrated up to GPN for it to work properly, but also for safety.  You should be weaned off of it as well.  Nerve pain is usually treated with up to 1.2 grams (1200mg) of GPN or less (tolerance can occur with chronic use).  Some conditions require more or less.  GPN is usually (almost all the time, except in cases when lethargy is encouraged e.g. withdrawl symptoms or certain mood/anxiety d/os) delivered orally three times a day (tid) in equal doses or the dose before bed being slightly larger.  GPN should not be taken with calcium or magnesium products/vitamins if you can help it (within two (2) hours) because these supplements will reduce the productivity of the GPN.  I have seen almost no proper withdrawl pts from GPN if they are withdrawn correctly.  Unless you are having a side effect that is not tolerable - there is no reason that you can't take anywhere from 10 days to 6months to get off of GPN.  Hey, it's a cheap drug anyways!

I hope that this information helps to shed some light on this drug.  I realize that people will abuse anything - or try to...I found out that a pt of mine was snorting APAP (Tylenol)!  It was no surprise when the pt OD'd on another substance months later (tragic, actually).

Best of luck to all of you!  Harrison, MD

[bmdad]

I've read where some become addicted to it and some don't. I have taken it off and on for nerve pain due to a back injury. The longest I have taken it is about 6 months. I tapered off over a week or two and didn't have any problems putting it down. I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms either. Most of the stories I read about the ones that did become addicted had said the first time they took it they felt buzzed or high. I never once felt a buzz. It did make me a bit fuzzy headed here and there but it was a feeling I didn't care for. I was even prescribed 1800mgs a day. This is my opinion but it seems as if they ones that end up having a problem with it are the ones that get a high from it. I actually started taking it again a couple months ago due to my nerve pain flaring up. If I thought that I had even a small chance of becoming addicted I wouldn't have started it up again. But, we are all different and react to medications differently.
If you are worried about possibly becoming addicted, maybe look for different options. There are over the counter meds for anxiety that may be worth a shot.
I'm not sure if you read through this entire post but I believe there are a few posts of some that had or are having a hard time getting off of it. You can also do a google search of gabapentin withdrawals. That may give you some more details about how it can be habit forming to some. Personally for me I don't see how it could be. If you are not getting a euphoric feeling I think you may be okay but there's really no way to know for sure. If you do continue taking it and the time comes where you feel you want to stop it, just be sure to gradually taper off.
Best of luck to you.

Brian

[chippie05]

New to this site....any site related to this topic. I was prescribed gaba for anxiety...100mg 3 times a day. I am an alcoholic in recovery and I am liking what people are saying as this may be of even greater advatage to me. I am just afraid that I will now become addicted to this? Hello to everyone and thx for any advise you have.