Coming off Gabapentin

[Joel]

All:
I too have gained weight since my surgery 4 years ago now, but I chalk most of it up to less exercise/movement since surgery. I am much more of a couch potato now than before, so I try to exercise as much as possible. It truly is a vicious cycle--sitting more makes you stiff and fat; moving makes your feet hurt and wears you out fast...
Joel

[paul55]

tc, I wouldn't not try it due to listed symptoms. The drug does work for me. And it works for others as well. Some, it doesn't work well. I originally tried 100 mg 3x/day, didn't even touch it. I had to experiment with dosages until the doctor said try 300mg 3x/day. That worked. Some folks you hear about taking 3600 mg/day(i guess the max). Wow, my head would be buzzing but I probablywouldn't have any neuro pain.You will need to find the right amount. Do a Google on gabapentin and look at the side effects. Some folks get some, some don't, everyone responds differently. Becoming dependant I think is in the mind. I don't think it is classified as a narcotic so I don't think there is a chemical dependency on it.

I just felt it was easier to drop this rather than any other med I am presently on so i wouldn't effect the other drugs capabilities.

I also think Joel hit it right on the head about being active. That cycle you can fall into is easy to do and get lazy. I am guily of that!

You can always stop it if it doesn't work for you. I think it is a good medication. JMHO

[chickiet]

tc - i agree with Paul wholeheartedly. It is always worth a try - you may very well find that the beneefits outweigh (no pun intended) the side effects. Dosage is critical, so if you are starting at a low dose (which you should be), it may have to be adjusted gradually. There comes a point in time where you can evaluate whether it's working for you and whether you're happy with the choice.

And I definitely agree with you, Joel - I think the weight gain, while listed as a side effect of gabapentin and lyrica, is probably not totally medication related. I know that I am much less active than pre-surgery. So unless I reduced my calories significanlty I'd gain weight even without the meds.

Just my two cents.

If you do give it a try, tc, let us know how it works (or doesn't) for you. We're all here to be a sounding board for both the good and bad.

Chris

[Ali-Brad]

Hi - I took 1800mg of Gabapentin daily for about 18 months and then weaned onto Lyrica, again for about 18 months now. I know for certain I could not do without the Lyrica. I have a lot of pain around the surgery site as well as my arms/hands. I know I have cord tethering also at the site of surgery. I constantly feel as if I have a 'bull dog' clip on my neck (not sure if you call them bull dog clips in USA !!). I'm lucky in that I haven't changed weight in the last four years since surgery and finishing work. However, I think a bit of muscle may now be fat instead !! Maybe the weight gain for some is not always the meds but a change in mobility/lifestyle.

I think we would all love to give up meds - I hope you can manage this - Alison

[paul55]

Alison, wow, you were on a pretty hefty dose! I tried to look into the difference between the two, and they seem similar. What does the Lyrica do for you that the Gabapentin doesn't? Any major differences? Just curious...BTW, mobility/lifestyle changes I'm sure play a big role with the weight issues.

It's been a week now, and I cut out 1/3 the dose. I have experienced a little more discomfort, in my arm and the surgical area. I have noticed the "electrical shock feeling" going down both my legs have increased a bit, but I seem to be able to tolerate everything ok. Maybe that's the healing process?? Monday, I'll cut another 1/3 over the next week and see what that brings. It's difficult taking Ibuprophen because I'm on Plavix, but I do take it occasionally for pain if I'm in a pinch.

[ScrapHeap]

I was on Gabapentin in rehab and took it for a couple or so months after returning home. It initially knocked me out hard. I eventually developed some sort of tolerance for it but it always made me very drowsy. When I thought I didn't need it for pain management I dropped it. Within 2 weeks I had all sorts of pains and sensations going on. They ranged from nagging to just plain painful. So a choice needed to be made. Go back to taking it and go through my days all groggy, suck it up and stay off of it, or find another solution/medication.

My regular Doc suggested trying Lyrica. Started me out w/50mg once a day. HAHAHAHA! Didn't do diddlie. I quit taking it. As my symptoms worsened and upon my next visit, he suggested upping the dose, A LOT. I tried it. It worked really well. I take 150mg 2x a day. Supposedly, I still have headroom for an increase if/when needed. Best part is I'm not drowsy from Lyrica. Quite the opposite for me. It kicks me in the keister like a double shot of coffee.

Lyrica did have some adverse side-effects on me. It LESSENED my appetite - Something I can ill-afford. It also caused me a lot of swelling in my most affected areas (below the waist). Both problems eventually lessened and went away. Swelling was slower to go away. But as my bladder function increased, my swelling decreased. which makes sense (to me). Fluid from swelling passes by way of the bladder.

I believe I left a post on the old forum about how I was med free just a few months after returning home, save vitamins and an occasional Motrin. Well, that didn't last too long. Lyrica, for me, was worth working through the side-effects for the benefits. On bad days I supplement it w/a half tab of Hydrocodone per dose. I can't imagine not taking the Lyrica as part of my pain management unless/until the day comes when my pain significantly decreases.

Each med can be very different from one person to another. Keep us informed on your situation.