Coming off Gabapentine: Hi I have been... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Coming off Gabapentine

Kjb121 profile image
12 Replies

Hi I have been on Gabapentine for two and a half years of 3 X 300 mgs but I keep getting water infections and my hair is getting thin, I have decided to come off it and have consulted my Dr who said to miss one out a day for a month then miss 2 out for a month then come off all together I wondered if anyone else has weaned their selves off this med and what the side effects and pain management they used after ?

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Kjb121
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12 Replies
peck profile image
peck

Kjb121 , I've never been on this med but I do wish you the very best!! I hope you find find it to difficult.Take care and be blessed. Peck.🐤

Hi Kjb121- I tried gabapen and pregab-oh boy I was like a zombie!! I weened off over 2 months but I was only on a lower dose than you. go with it as your g.p says so as to avoid withdrawal. I found tramadol with paracetamol a good pain relief but eventually I stopped those (weened off again as one is an opiate) I now just have co dydramol for pain, I found aquatics my best friend for relieving stiffness and sore muscles. I am never pain free and sometimes I have cortisone injections for other ailments which do give me a lift and a bit more energy ( I think a famous cyclist did this recently)!!! Good luck, slowly slowly don't, make yourself suffer!!

BlueMermaid3 profile image
BlueMermaid3

Hello Kjb121

Would you mind me asking you a slightly personal question? We can do this via private message if you'd prefer.

As someone that has had more urine infections, severe UTI's (so bad I was hospitalised) and other problems with my bladder, do you mind me asking if you need to pass urine a lot?

If so, there is a medication that you can take for this.

Since I have been taking that medication, my infections have gone down by about 90 per cent.

If you would prefer to discuss this via a private message, please feel free to message me.

I have had withdrawal symptoms from Pregabalin (which is the sister drug to Gabapentin) for about 6/7 weeks.

I am on a lot of different pain meds as my Fibro pain is very severe along with osteoarthritis and hyper mobility syndrome so I wouldn't know what different medication to suggest you take.

Different pain killers work for different people. Unfortunately it is a case of trial and error as to what works for each individual.

Wishing you less pain and more peace

Lu x

Admin

Quartzpendulum profile image
Quartzpendulum

Ive been on gabapentin twice (weaned off initially as I wasn't getting any benefit. I'm now back on them and noticed both times that my hair is thinning and falling out. Is this a normal side effect? X

rosewine profile image
rosewine in reply to Quartzpendulum

Quartzpendulum I don't believe it is one if the side effects listed but I am on the sister drug Pregablin and I used to have masses if hair and it is definitely had the thickness it was and very fly away. I had put it down to my different illnesses and the combination of all the other meds. I take although I am sure other people have mentioned that the same has happened to them.x

Kjb121 profile image
Kjb121 in reply to Quartzpendulum

Yes hair thinning is a side effect I'm just come to the conclusion that I would be on them for life if I didn't do anything I have been given some anti-inflammatorys which I would rather take on a daily basis as and when I need them.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi my friend

I have never taken Gabapentin but I ma on Pregabalin and my doctor wanted me to bring it down and I was instructed to do exactly the same as you. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Im on 3600mg daily gabapentin. I find that they make me a bit spaced out. My first 4x300mg in morning are important as it gets me motivated for the day cause if didnt i be house bound with stiffness and agony. Spaced out or agony. I can cope with the slightly spaced out better than agony. Damned if u do damned if u dont. Hope u get off gabapentin mentally and physically safe. Marty.

Fra22-57 profile image
Fra22-57

I wouldn't miss any day.You need to reduce it gradually .I am on Pregabalin and was told to reduce it by 50 mg a day and went into severe drug withdrawal symptoms. I'm now reducing by 25mg which is fine.

Pearce1940oscar profile image
Pearce1940oscar in reply to Fra22-57

I know this post you did was a while ago but I’m trying to get off pregabalin and am going to try reducing 25 mg every 2 weeks so I’m asking you say you were reducing by 25 mg how long each time did you stay on each 25 mg reduction and hopefully you were able to get completely off

Fra22-57 profile image
Fra22-57 in reply to Pearce1940oscar

Not completely off as I take 350mg a day but have reduced from 450mgIt did take a a while and had to go through hell with side effects but it was years ago so I honestly can't remember but I do hope you succeed as although it helps withh pain its hell to come off it

Try pregablin it's a much better drug for nerve pain

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