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Does Intake Of Gabapentin Help In Treating Withdrawal Symptoms Of Opioid?

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Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016
Question: I was addicted to Loratab for years, my family doctor gave it to me for fibromyalgia and then he put me on methodone because my body became immune to the loratab, I took the methodone for years but I began to notice that when people heard what I was taking they acted different toward me and someone told me that it was heroin and I thought I would just stop taking it but when i tried i was so sick i couldn't even hold my head up it was worse than anything i had ever felt in my life i thought i was gonna have a heart attack i couldn't go to work or take care of my family. i went to my doctor and he told me it was dangerous to do that and sent me to a suboxone doctor he put me on 24 mg suboxone and one blue xanax at night to help me rest well that has been 17 mos ago and i want off this roller coaster and i am trying to cold turkey the suboxone and xanax and i was reading about it and i read that gabapenten will help the process can you give me any information on this I had to make this doctor cut me to 18 mg from 24 and when I ask him to lower me he says i am not ready but i do not want withdrawal syndrome I think it is just about money because some of the people there have been on it for 7 years can you give me any advice please
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Clonidine can be tried in addition to gabapentin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

I understand cold turkey is dangerous thing to do and many people experience worst symptoms of their life. Generally it is said that to withdraw from opioids you need opioids but cloniine and gabapentin are the exceptions.

There are number of countries across the world where the suboxone and methadone are not available and still people discontinue opioids with little help.

In your case with stringent Blood pressure monitoring clonidine 50-100 microgram can be tried during withdrawal of suboxone.

I hope this helps you.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (43 minutes later)
I think you may have misunderstood, I apologize, I will explain in detail:
I am not addicted to gabapentin and have never taken it or clonidine. I was asking if I could take gabapentin to help the withdrawal symptoms from suboxone, it has been 4 days since taking the suboxone and I am NOT gonna take anymore or allow a doctor to put me on anything else. In my research I have read that sometimes gabapentin is used in the treatment of suboxone withdrawal symptoms. If I can get a prescription for the gabapentin will it help me and how much should I take? I am 5'10" and weigh approx 145 lbs. I am not allergic to anything I know of, and I do not have any medical problems other than addiction to the drugs I mentioned. I need advice from a dr that does not want to put me on medications that are worse than the one I am fighting to get off. This over medicated roller coaster ride has ended for me either way. WILL GABAPENTIN HELP WITH THE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS FROM SUBOXONE? IF YES, HOW MANY MILLIGRAMS SHOULD A FEMALE MY SIZE WITH NO OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS TAKE? Thank You for any advice you may be willing to give me. I understand that 80% is mental, but I do get dizzy, and my heart races and I can't concentrate, my body feels like it has a temperature but when I take it I do not have one. I am trying to eat and I am staying hydrated, I am sweating and feel fatigued but I know this is normal because I have tried to quit before and this is the way it was. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE WILL MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Gabapentin unlikely to help in all symptoms other than pain

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for clarifying.

Gabapentin unlikely to help in all the symptoms other than pain and lack of sleep.

As you do not want to try any other opioid medications, clonidine is the next best option which helps in almost all symptoms experienced during cold turkey withdrawal of suboxone. As I mentioned in my last post you can use around 50 microgram two times a day to stop all those annoying withdrawal symptoms.

I am sorry that earlier post was not clear to you although I tried to explain same thing to help you to get over the withdrawal symptoms of suboxone.

I hope this clarifies.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3350 Questions

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Does Intake Of Gabapentin Help In Treating Withdrawal Symptoms Of Opioid?

Brief Answer: Clonidine can be tried in addition to gabapentin Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. I understand cold turkey is dangerous thing to do and many people experience worst symptoms of their life. Generally it is said that to withdraw from opioids you need opioids but cloniine and gabapentin are the exceptions. There are number of countries across the world where the suboxone and methadone are not available and still people discontinue opioids with little help. In your case with stringent Blood pressure monitoring clonidine 50-100 microgram can be tried during withdrawal of suboxone. I hope this helps you. Thanks and regards.