Do I have a problem with Gabapentin?

[bBarry]

Hi, Been Valium free for 89 days and was having a hard time sleeping. Pain Doc prescribed Catapress (clonadine) and it worked for 6 hours of sleep but made my heart pound. Went to a GP Doc and he prescribed Gabapentin. He wants me to take 300mg 3x a day but it has side effects too, mostly bothers my stomach and I don't like the way I feel on it the next day. Hard to explain exactly how it makes me feel. Since I had 90 of them and don't have prescription coverage I started breaking the capsules apart and putting 1/2 in capsules the same size from the health food store we got for taking Bulk Tumeric (herb for pain). So, I have been taking about 150mg an hour before bed. It has been working for sleep but now I have been taking it for around 70 nights, just once a day. I am now depending on it to help me sleep. To get off it at this point do I need to wean? Probably going to go back to no sleep, never should have taken the gabapentin but was desperate. I wonder if I am keeping normal sleep from returning at 89 days off Valium? How should I go about stopping 150mg Gabapentin? I read that it has w/d of the benzo type, is that true?. That's just great after taking months to get off Valium.

I have been feeling pretty good since my detox with a couple flare ups that didn't last long, but still need a good nights sleep. The gabapentin sleep isn't natural and not as rewarding as normal sleep, at least for me. I could always fall right to sleep before Valium that I never asked for.

Thanks for reading, Why wouldn't an addictive drug be a controlled substance? I hope someone here has stopped taking gabapentin,, hopefully it was a very easy drug to stop and addiction to it is all hype.

Barry

[NeverAgain127]

Yes, you DO get used to it.   Whenever I went up a dose, I'd feel weird and spacy for a week or 2 then it went away (it wasn't enjoyable.)

[bBarry]

Thanks Guys!! I was surprised to see I had more replies, that's really nice of all of you.
Hey Gnarly. Good to see You!! it's encouraging to hear you didn't have trouble stopping gabapentin. I'm going to look into the nighty night tea. Thanks for that. If it has valerian root in it that gives false positive for benzo's, can't have that. developed a new neuropathy since my taper started, it's causing tingling and horrible burning in my left foot and a little in my r foot. It was gone but it came back. At 91 days out today could that be from valium still? gabapentin helps it some.  I'm about to quit ALL the Doctors i'm going to and find some better ones that know something. Doctors must know more than they pretend, nobody could be that dumb. You know most of them have rx'd a benzo.

Karen, You are always there in my corner. You must be an Angel. It hasn't been as rough as it could have been thanks to you and all the people here. There is always somebody here willing to help any way they can. Don't hesitate when you're in need, i hope I can help you 1/2 as much.

NeverAgain, I wouldn't get a cadaver bone unless I absolutely had to either. Glad to hear the gaba is keeping you away from the surgeon. I'm sorry to hear you have such terrible neck problems. Praying for you. Really appreciate you letting me know you never had a problem without it. Did it take you time to get used to it? I am used to it at the low level but every time I try to take more it takes me 1/2 the next day to get right.

barry

[NeverAgain127]

Hi Barry: I take 1600-3200 mgs a gabapentin daily for very bad pain in my right arm and hand due to a pinched nerve in my neck.    Right now it's either take the gaba or have a surgeon cut my neck open and put in cadaver bone, so I'm sticking with the Gaba.

Don't fret too much about w/d's from this drug.  You SHOULD come off it on a taper and under medical supervision, but it won't be anything like opiates or benzo's.  I've been on and off it for years...never had a problem.  

Your doctor knows, right?

[Cricketk92]

Hi Barry!  Congrats on 89 Days!!!  I know it was a hard road for you!!!  You are doing wonderful and are getting some great advice on your gabapentin!!!  Keep being Awesome!! :)    XO Karen

[gnarly_1]

Hey Berry good to see you....I was on gabapentin on and off for a long time  it is a common drug when you have chronic pain...for the most part it is considered non addictive and I do not remember having withdrawals stopping it....just know this...it will be a walk in the park compared to the valum  like many drugs you have been taking it for the side effects (sleepyenss) and you can even have ishuse after taking benadril for sleep if you just stop....the thing here is to just know your probably in for some sleepless nights  but it should pass with time  try not to read into it  just stop and you should get over it quickly as addicts we are always looking for another pill to fix what is wrong with us    as addicts we need to change the very way we think...im into the all natural things ...being bipolar as well as a addict sleep can be a issue from time to time my wife stumbled on to a supper good tea  it is organic ...it is ''Harney & son's  nighty night'' it works great just seap 2 bags for 20 min and in a 1/2 hour your ready to sleep   I only wish I had known about it when I detoxed you can get it at health food store's or on line this should be in everybody's cupboard...Keep posting for support.....Gnarly

[bBarry]

Thanks Ike. Congrats, you've dropped a lot, 1800m,, wow.  What are your symptoms at 300mg? I doubt 150 mg is going to be too bad but that's what i said about only 15mg of valium.
It seems that everywhere you look there is different information on gabapentin. Must be what you said is correct, everybody's different. The Doctor is the one pushing it at me. I told him I didn't like it makes me feel sick, he said keep taking it and try to take more.

I'm going to use exactly what it takes to help me sleep for now. I imagine it will get worse again after gabapentin. I know someone that is using it to get of tramadol. He likes it and isn't having all these nasty side effects. Says it helps his "crazy legs".
I might be overthinking this Ike. Just don't want another addiction.

[refills]

Hey Barry. I'm very slowly tapering down from Gabapentin. I topped out at 2400 mg daily. 600 mg x 4 for 9 months. I'm now at 300 mg total a day. 100 mg morning and 200 mg at nite. You should go under a doctor supervision. It's nowhere near a benzo but it has it's own wd's effects. Everyone is different and I can't say what anyone should do. I've had my fill with that pill. I have to tell you that there are friends in this very community that has had positives effect with Neurontin. (same thing)  Every med should be treated with respect IMO. Good Luck to you Barry....ike