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Can Gabapentin Be Stopped Cold Turkey?
Question: This question is concerning my son who has suffered bipolar disorder for 5 years now. He is on a series of meds that he does take regularly and he sees his psychiatrist once a month and a therapist once a week. Recently after a bad relationship
which ended in break-up his anxiety levels were skyrocketing and his dr. raised his gabbapentin to 5400 mg. He had always been on high doses of neurontin but this was exceptionally high and started making him feel loopey at which point he just flushed them down the toilet and told his dr he wanted to stop cold turkey which his dr. said would be safe. this is the 9th day and after his feelings of anxiety, deep depression, uncontrollable crying, irritability and more began subsiding.....his physical pain became so bad that it became ewxcruciating. Now my question........should gabbapentin at such large quantities be tapered and weened or is it ok to quit cold turkey?
which ended in break-up his anxiety levels were skyrocketing and his dr. raised his gabbapentin to 5400 mg. He had always been on high doses of neurontin but this was exceptionally high and started making him feel loopey at which point he just flushed them down the toilet and told his dr he wanted to stop cold turkey which his dr. said would be safe. this is the 9th day and after his feelings of anxiety, deep depression, uncontrollable crying, irritability and more began subsiding.....his physical pain became so bad that it became ewxcruciating. Now my question........should gabbapentin at such large quantities be tapered and weened or is it ok to quit cold turkey?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question.
It is generally not advisable to stop gabapentin cold turkey. Some people can handle this, but it appears your son is having side effects from stopping. He should contact his doctor and request a refill to taper off the medication more slowly.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question.
It is generally not advisable to stop gabapentin cold turkey. Some people can handle this, but it appears your son is having side effects from stopping. He should contact his doctor and request a refill to taper off the medication more slowly.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank-you! He finally decided last night he couldn't take the pain any more coupled with his depression so He is goin to taper off. Thank-you for your afirmation!
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
You are very welcome!
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Followup
Detailed Answer:
You are very welcome!
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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