Withdrawal

When the peripheral neuropathy started back in 2015, I was prescribed a drug called Gabapentin.  Neuropathy is a both a numbing and burning in the feet or hands, common with diabetes.  In my case the first chemo drug given at the start caused the neuropathy in my feet.  The doctor prescribed Gabapentin to sooth the pain and discomfort of the neuropathy.  I took that drug for a couple years but it didn't seem to help.  Finally, the dose was doubled to see if that would make a difference.  The burning was still keeping me awake at night so with consultation fro my doctor, it was decided that this drug was simply not helping.  So I quit.  I went from 1,200 mg each day to zero just a few months ago.

Just yesterday, I discovered that Gabapentin is not a drug that can be stopped suddenly.  Severe side effects occur as the body goes through withdrawal symptoms.  Anxiety, nausea, muscle pain, suicidal tendencies and many other withdrawn side effects.  I had no idea.

The only huge side effect that I noticed was muscle pain.  It was severe and even crippling at times.  It baffled myself and the doctors but I'm sure they didn't remember that I suddenly went off of Gabapentin.  They say this isn't an addictive drug but the body does become dependent on the effects.  The withdrawal is described as similar to withdrawal from opioids.  I have had too many new experiences due to having multiple myeloma.  Now that I went through a major drug withdrawal, I'm ready to stop going through weird medical crises and start living a normal life.