Possible, but that usually describes what happens as a therapeutic medication wears off. Dependence is usually characterized by withdrawal symptoms, and felt somewhat later than just the expiration of a dose. Symptoms of withdrawal may vary depending on the medication and individual, but are often characterized/described as "flu-like". In the case of gabapentin...

gabapentin withdrawal symptoms

Doc

That must have been very scary.
It is really hard to know how each of us will react to any given medication. I do not like the way Lyrica is marketed with so little real evidence and such vague information in the ads- lots of qualifiers like may, some, etc.
I can't help but feel that most of the impetus for Lyrica came from the expiration of the patent for Neurontin.
Most of the new people on the forums are looking for such concrete assurances, while those of us with more experience get very little help or information from our doctors, especially our neurologists, and come to accept that and rely on ourselves and each other.

Yes, I seem to recall a discussion here along those lines -- timing strategies of pharmaceutical companies holding new or improved versions of older meds in the pipeline in reserve for when current patents lapse -- though I cannot find the thread in the archives. (It's late, I'm tired, and not hitting on best search terms of late... )

Lyrica & Neurontin wouldn't be the only ones.

Doc

It boils down to profit, IMO.

In my experience, doctors with even good reputations, just rely on med reps for the side effects. With their busy schedules, they don't have time to research on such things on their own. They get information about the side effects from patients who report them. Even then, they forget the information and won't mention it to the next patient.

Wow, I did not know that Lyrica came out after they lost their patent for Neurotin. I am not surprised though. Pharm is big business and I don't believe those companies care who they hurt. That is what makes it so scary for people like us.
I also had terrible thoughts when I took Lyrica and I was only on it for 2 weeks.

I recently put my IVIG on hold. I am trying to be sure it really helps before I subject my body to them. I had a doctor warn me about them by giving me the horrible s/e that can happen and that it is big business for people now. The treatments cost 10,000. Of course, the doctor who told me that is not my Rheumo who I love. Who do you trust?!

I have been on Gabapentin for only a month (2400mg/day) and I am having a ***** of a time even reducing it the slightest bit. I desperately want off of it! It is such an addictive substance — far exceeding other things like benzos, opiates, etc. Withdrawal seems impossible!

For a couple of years different doctors and other folks have said "Why are you not taking drugs" A couple of months ago my primary doctor gave me a script for the lowest dose of Gabapentin. He told me I could experiment with occasional use. I finally took one for the last 2 nights. Most of the time I can handle the numbness, but when I have break out symptoms I like to have something on hand. just thought I would chime in.

Hi Adamo, Welcome.

Everyone is different. Others here have also had difficulty weaning off gabapentin. If your system has a higher sensitivity, you may have to wean off in smaller steps -- say... 100 mg at a time. I say 100 mg because AFAIK that is the smallest size capsule made. Discuss this with your doctor, and see if s/he'll give you a prescription for 100 mg to make it easier to step down.

Doc

Hi, Susanne... If you monitor your posts, I wonder what your experience with bone and muscle pain has been. I've had body wide neuropathy for two years now, and the muscle pain is crazy bad. At least I think it's muscle pain. It's definitely different than the nerve pain and seems to be the muscles, though it's not a normal muscle pain like from over working or pulling a muscle. It's crazy pain in the major muscle groups. I thought the neuropathy was bad enough, then this kicked in big time a year ago. Has your neuropathy been determined to be length dependent or not? Gosh, so sorry you're a member of this most unfortunate "club". The info from here and kind responses of others helps keep me sane.
Cathy