Gabapentin, Drug of Choice for SFN
 

Dear NeuroTalk PN Friends,

I've been taking Gabapentin since last summer, about a year. It stopped almost all of the pain and discomfort of my SFN.

However, I've had some strange neurological? problems, which started this Spring. And I've had a CT Scan of my head, and an EEG, both of which were normal.

After some research I decided that perhaps the Gabapentin was the cause of the neurological problems (limb jerking, core body jerking leading to falls).

So I am on a program of withdrawal. Withdrawing from Gabapentin is compared in difficult to heroin withdrawal. I know nothing about withdrawal, but this is fairly difficult as I end my first week. The pain and discomfort of my SFN is creeping back, and I have other symptoms, like insomnia.

So, I wonder if my neurological problems will resolve and then I won't be able to return to Gabapentin, once I've concluded my taper.

There are no other drugs as successful, according to my research.

Right now I'm also dealing with a new found cyst on my lumbar spine, which is causing pain if I stand or walk. So I have a bunch of stuff going on.

I'll keep you posted on how my Gabapentin experiment is progressing.

Hugs, ElaineD

Sorry for your troubles. I hope you can find a different med to help. Are they going to try to transition you to something else? Many people have luck with nortriptylene. Have you tried it?

ElaineD:
Yes, it is a challenge to withdraw from Gabapentin - I've done it in the past, so I can vouch for that. Not sure it's as bad as heroin, but it certainly is unpleasant. Unless your other issues make this an "emergency" withdrawal - make sure you go very slowly.

There are a number of other medications out there that may help, if you have a neuro that is willing to work with you to find the best option. Gabapentin is kind of the first line drug since it's side effect profile is relatively mild (at least for the majority of people). I hope your other issues resolve once you get off the Gabapentin, but don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen right away - some times these things linger for quite a while.

Best of luck. :hug:

Hi Elaine ... I haven't taken gabapentin but I did have a very long and difficult withdrawal from klonopin that my neuro prescribed me for sleep .. I have a feeling the wds may be similar... Everybody has a different body chemistry some might have very minor difficulty with it while others have problems.. The taper schedule my neuro advised me was way too fast you have to use your body as a judge.. When you make a cut and the symptoms feel to intense.. Then you cut too much... Unless you are not experiencing any problems the slower you go the better... Like the tortoise and the hare slow and steady win the race... After I made a cut , I held at that dose for two weeks.. if you find your symptoms aren't too severe , proceed with your doctors taper schedule.. However if you're symptoms become too uncomfortable you probably should cut less out and hold at that amount longer... Good lick