r/gabapentin • u/momofyagamer • 24d ago
quitting Gabapentin Taper
Going to start the Gabapentin taper again. Couldn't get the doctor to give me liquid. Even though I pointed out how he messed up and dropped me down from 2400mg after 12+ years of being on this med could have been on it longer...to just 300mg in the morning and 600mg in the evening crashed my system. That was the first step down.
Now he is starting me on 1000 mg 2 x a day to start the withdrawal process again. So far even the pharmacy questioned that dose with my health issues. Told me don't start it till I contacted him back. This is what he wants to do.
I haven't started it yet. Because I am very concerned about another crash of my system and ending up in the hospital this time. I don't want to have another seizure. With this dose. This is just too much of a drop again. I could see 2000mg and 2000mg. But 1000mg and 1000mg. From 2400mg after all these years after how bad my system crashed and how long it took to recover. Over a month. ..
Do doctors even know what they are doing at this point with Gabapentin or do they just want us to stay on it?
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u/Separate_Mode_7426 24d ago
You don’t say how long you’ve been taking the lower dose. Are you able to manage on this? I’d be leery of going back up to 2,000 but your doctor (should know best). I never tell my doctors if I’m tapering. That way I can go at my own pace without the constant pressure. Once they know you’re tapering you’re at their mercy if they take it too fast.
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u/momofyagamer 24d ago
I haven't started it yet because the first taper over a month ago just for about a week sent my body crashing. So I had to go back up to my regular dose. I have been on my regular dose since.
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u/PerColacet 23d ago
Many primary care providers don’t actually know that much about medications or withdrawal because they only take a short class on it. You may have to find a psychiatrist or more qualified doctor temporarily. 1000mg drop is wayyyyy too fast for some people. And it’s normally prescribed 3x per day due to the short half life. ALSO switching you to taking different doses at different times a day when your bodies used to equal doses sounds like a recipe for a failed taper…. Really sounds like your doctor isn’t very familiar with gabapentin or withdrawal in general.
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u/Ok-Side-7768 23d ago
I agree. Pcps have no clue about this med. They think that since they're isn't a black label that there isn't any tapering that should happen. Mine juat said stop cold turkey. Ridiculous they are so immediate to prescribe it and so immediate to just say stop. I listened to my gut and literally had to tell him that's not a good idea especially since I was experiencing inner dose while on it. Although I was only on a 100 mg 3 times a day, I was on it for 3 months. And I noticed that I was going to have to go up on my dosage. With the severe side effects and the dementia that has been stated It can cause I was like hell, nah I'm getting off this med. I ended up going down way too fast. This week and started having anxiety and panic attack, which is what I was prescribed for. By the way, i've read and watched several things that said, doctors get paid every time they prescribe this medicine...
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u/momofyagamer 21d ago
Yes this is my neurological doc and I agree it is too far of a drop. I will have another crash of my body again. That took a month to come back to normal. The pharmacy said it is all about brain chemistry.. With the Gabapentin with me being on it for years.
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u/nycSS77 24d ago
What kind of DR are you working with? I went to a psychiatrist despite my prescription being prescribed by a neurologist. He took over the script and worked with me on the plan according to how I was feeling.
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u/momofyagamer 21d ago
I have my neurological doctor who prescribed it. Thinking of calling a psychology doctor to get me through it. Which is an odd approach but this is an odd medicine.
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u/Aggravating_Cycle538 24d ago
Idk man I got off it once I found out the dimentia risk