Neurontin Issues

[Jdtigg4]

Good Afternoon,

Back in 1996, I was diagnosed with hereditary migraines, received from my mother side of the family from the neurologist I was currently under the care of at that time.

He had prescribed a couple of different treatments for me, but ended up giving me a daily medication of Neurontin. I of course did the gradual increase of the medication each time having him run his check-ups on me, slowly increasing the medication to what I been taking recently.

After 10-11 years of this medication, I ended up taking 3600mg per day (600mg 2 pills 3x a day). I recently moved out of state from where this doctor is located and it was stated, for the best, that I be “weaned” off this medication since, as he put it “long over due”, for me to be removed from it.

He put me on a regiment of dropping 300 mg every 4 days to where I am now, none.

My last 300mg pill was on this past Friday and since then, I have no slept more than 15 min per attempt, I have had sweats, irritability, the whole blown withdrawals that I been reading on different sites on this topic.

I noted all the stories and the effects, which differ per person, about getting off this medication. Now since I have been taking this medication for such a long period of time, and the “weaning process is now over”, how much longer can I expect these symptoms to persist and is there any OTC items that I can purchase to aid in quieting down these “symptoms” so I can finally be rid of them for good.

[Pamster]

Hi Jdtigg4,

I was on neurontin for a couple of years and weaned off it with no trouble. I am sorry you're having side effects like that even after it's out of your system. I hope that you feel better soon. I would call the pharmacy you use and ask to speak to the pharmacist and see if he or she can recommend something to help with the side effects.

I take melatonin for sleep help and it helps a lot. I also take elavil from my dr. for help with sleep and pain. I don't know if something like that might help you but you could ask the pharmacist and see if maybe benedryll or something might help with the withdrawal symptoms you're having. Best wishes to you and I hope that you feel better soon. :)

I never had any notable side effects with the drug but I didn't take as high of a dose as you did, I would guess that that is why the withdrawal is so bad. I only took 300mg x 3 a day and dropped down one hundred mgs. at a time after about a week at eash incriment. Maybe that is why I didn't have any notable side effects I don't know but I am sorry you're still suffering. :(

[jd3]

I would talk to your pharmacist about this. Doctors don't always understand the problems which can occur from coming down too fast from neurontin. I don't want to alarm you but there is even a risk of a seziure here. I have gone up and down with neurontin over a period of about 10 years. This is because I build up tolerance rapidly. Otherwise it is an effective med for me.

I was given a schedule of 300mg/wk originally by a pharmacist. This is a very safe schedule. I come down from the upper levels faster these days, then slow down at the lower levels and I always carry some extra with me just in case I start to feel bad. I had one bad experience with neurontin years ago due accidently coming down too fast and I never forgot it.

I hope this post helps you and other readers:)

[Jdtigg]

Well….I talked to the pharmacist on the way home from work last night and he did agree, after all the years I been on this, it was a speedy reduction.
He did suggestion the St. John’s Wort for the irritability, and Tylenol PM for the sleeping problems, which I have tried both last night.
Thankfully, last night I got a full 8 hours sleep and feel better today.
I foresee that by this weekend I will be over ALL of this and can get on with my life without the symptoms being so bad.
Thanks for your responses.

[Cry Tears]

I've been taking Benedryl for sleep.
I got it in huge bottle from warehouse type store...very cheep.
Its really been a godsend to me...helps me sleep very good. But....like all meds, even OTC ones...has both good and bad sides.
The down side to this, makes me pee a lot at nite when first began taking it. This is not that normal side, but still bothersome for a few weeks.
Now I've adjusted to it, but I'm now taking 3 of them at night as I had to take more and more of it to be effective.
The pain clinic I go to say this is very good sleep me...even for calming people down...they use this instead of Xanex or Valuim type meds.
Interesting for sure....maybe you may want to give it a try, see if this helps you sleep.
I detested the way I felt on Neurontin...and it did little to help my nerve pain.
Blessings, cheryl

[JAVISI]

Jdtigg,
I am on numerous meds Including Neurontin, It helps me with my nerve pain I take 600mg 3 times a day. I had a gastrostomy tube placed in my stomach, The Gastro accidently cut my bowel. I went into septic shock. I had surgery for the repair. They would not let me take anything by mouth, about 2 days before they estimated my going home, I got the sweats but was cool and clammy, nauseous, I felt like I was going to crawl the walls. It was the worst feeling I think I have ever experienced*ack . I asked the Dr's about starting me on my meds again, Once that happened I was ready to go home. I was so sleep deprived.

I am scared about when /if the Dr's want to take me off of Neurontin, or Klonopin which I think was the culprit I have been on it a long time too. I take 2mg 3 times a day, That is 2mg daily more than what the FDA approves of!:eek:

I hope you get to feeling better soon! You are tough to be able to stand the withdrawl symptoms!*grimace

Dreaming Big, as Big as the Ocean Blue, Javisi*world