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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Gabapentin?
Question: How much does gabapentin help with a restoril (temazepam) taper gone wrong? I tapered restoril too quickly and believe I have protracted withdrawal syndrome and my doctor put me back on 75mg per night PLUS 20mg Valium to help with the following symptoms that have persisted for 7 weeks: EXTREME anxiety, tremors, vomiting, upset stomach, severe muscle weakness/body aches and horrific insomnia. The symptoms persist despite going back on the temazepam and adding the valium. My psychiatrist suggested I increase my gabapentin from 900mg per day to the maximum dosage: 4,800mg per day. I gain weight easily on meds and am concerned about weight gain. How much weight would I gain on this dosage (my workouts aren't as good since the withdrawal symptoms because I am so weak, but I still swim an hour a day and lift weights for an hour and a half, but am gaining abdominal fat due to cortisol levels and high stress levels) and how long would I need to be on the high dose of gabapentin before I could begin to taper it down (how long until it helped me get over the benzo withdrawal symptoms)? My doctor also wrote me a script for up to 120mg of Valium per day. Am I better off just taking higher doses of Valium for the withdrawals from a weight gaining point of view? Will valium work?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Gabapentin is extremely useful in helping with a temazapam taper. They activate the same receptors in the brain, but gabapentin is much safer with many fewer side effects. Gabapentin regardless of dosage has low risk of weight gain. You may need to be on gabapentin for several weeks to months to taper off slowly and carefully. I would NOT increase the Valium as this will simply need to addiction and further dependence and withdrawal.
Please rate and close your answer 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.
Gabapentin is extremely useful in helping with a temazapam taper. They activate the same receptors in the brain, but gabapentin is much safer with many fewer side effects. Gabapentin regardless of dosage has low risk of weight gain. You may need to be on gabapentin for several weeks to months to taper off slowly and carefully. I would NOT increase the Valium as this will simply need to addiction and further dependence and withdrawal.
Please rate and close your answer 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. Raju A.T
Hi Dr. Sheppe,
Thank you for all your help in answering my questions regarding my temazepam taper gone wrong and the introduction of an increased gabapentin dosage to help with the withdrawals. I wanted to follow up with you personally, and I apologize it has taken me so long......I didn't see your latest response in my inbox so punctually.
A few questions:
1) How long do I need to remain on the higher dosage of gabapentin (2,700mg or 4,800mg daily) until I stabilize?
2) When can I resume tapering of the temazepam and at what rate?
3) After I have "stabilized" and the extended withdrawal symptoms have subsided, what is the protocol for getting back down to my normal dose of 900mg of gabapentin? What is a safe taper rate (how many mgs per two weeks or month)?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I am in severe distress daily and nightly and this is the hardest time of my life and I don't know what to do. It feels good to communicate with a doctor like you. Can I rate you and still continue to converse?
God bless,
Thank you for all your help in answering my questions regarding my temazepam taper gone wrong and the introduction of an increased gabapentin dosage to help with the withdrawals. I wanted to follow up with you personally, and I apologize it has taken me so long......I didn't see your latest response in my inbox so punctually.
A few questions:
1) How long do I need to remain on the higher dosage of gabapentin (2,700mg or 4,800mg daily) until I stabilize?
2) When can I resume tapering of the temazepam and at what rate?
3) After I have "stabilized" and the extended withdrawal symptoms have subsided, what is the protocol for getting back down to my normal dose of 900mg of gabapentin? What is a safe taper rate (how many mgs per two weeks or month)?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I am in severe distress daily and nightly and this is the hardest time of my life and I don't know what to do. It feels good to communicate with a doctor like you. Can I rate you and still continue to converse?
God bless,
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
This all needs to be carefully discussed with a doctor who is supervising this taper, as tapers can be dangerous and need careful supervision and monitoring.
Once on gabapentin for a week you might begin tapering the temazepam by no more than 10% every two weeks. This can take up to several months, depending on your symptoms. Once you are entirely off the temazepam, the gabapentin dose should then be tapered by no more than 10% every two weeks.
This rate can change based on how you respond to the taper.
Please rate and close your answer 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
Followup
Detailed Answer:
This all needs to be carefully discussed with a doctor who is supervising this taper, as tapers can be dangerous and need careful supervision and monitoring.
Once on gabapentin for a week you might begin tapering the temazepam by no more than 10% every two weeks. This can take up to several months, depending on your symptoms. Once you are entirely off the temazepam, the gabapentin dose should then be tapered by no more than 10% every two weeks.
This rate can change based on how you respond to the taper.
Please rate and close your answer 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
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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