Neurontin withdrawal

[Raven]

Nick has run out of his prescription for neurontin and doesn't have any appointment until the 30th of this month. He tried calling the pharmacy where he bought it to see if they could get a refill from the doctor but they said he had to wait for the appointment. I suggested to him to go to the ER again but we don't know if they will help him with this at all.

The last time he took his med was on Friday. We are wondering if there any people who have gone through any withdrawal symptoms after stopping their neurontin and what they may be. The pain has been bothering him but he says that now he has been feeling dizzy or light headed. We don't know if it could be withdrawal symptoms. Does anyone know if it may be so? Also, if anyone has had any experience with this before would you please let us know? It will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any information on this.

Raven

[1 Fine Spine RN]

Neurontin is not meant to be withdrawn from abruptly. It is an anti-seizure medication that acts directly on the brain. Nick should try very hard to get some medicine soon, and be very careful. Yes, these can be withdrawal symptoms.
Mary

[Kathryn Louise]

Call his Dr and have him call the pharmacy with a refill or have the pharmacy call the office. There is no reason for him to wait for his appointment.

[Broknwing]

As Mary said it is dangerous to go through abrupt neurontin withdrawl...A GOOD pharmacist knows this and should give him enoough to get through till mon when he can get through to the dr to call in a refill...The dr should have never shorted his script w/no refills in relation to his appointment date, that was poor scheduling/script writing. Either he can call the dr or the pharmacy can, but it sounds as if the pharmacy is not willing to help...He may be better off to go to the ER(or an urgent care center) to get a refill tonight...yeah, it sucks to have t deal w/them but the withdrawl is dangeroous...He could have grand-mal seizures and end up HAVING to go... no fun there...Nonetheless, he needs a refill ASAP however you can get him one...

[LaMemChose]

I agree with what the others have written, Raven.

I weaned myself off Neurontin because I did not think it was helping the pain that much. I learned it actually did more than I thought. I hurt, stung and burned like crazy when I was off it so I'm back on. Neurontin helps more than I'd have thought it was helping me. I never want to do that again.

I also learned it helps keep my seizure threshhold higher. My neurologist wants me to stay on it because it seems to help keep the seizures at bay in combination with other meds.

I hope Nick can get a refill for the Neurontin or a new rx for it tonight. Stopping cold can cause all kinds of problems.

[dunwawry]

Raven,
Who said he had to wait until his appt, the pharmacist or the doctor's office? Either way, I would call the doctor's office personally. It may be that they got a hold of a nurse or receptionist and not the doctor. I would insist on talking to the doctor himself, or at least somebody who would give you a script to tide you over. There is no reason they can't and shouldn't do this for you. That is just plain poor medicine.

One thing I do that I find helpful is if you have access to a fax machine, fax a note to the doctor with your request. Then, those notes become a permanent part of your chart. I don't know, but the requests seem to be taken seriously and handled more efficiently, esp. in these days when in many offices it can be difficult to get a live person to answer the phone. They don't recommend abrupt withdrawal of neurontin due to the risk of seizures, but seizures are unlikely if Nick doesn't suffer from a seizure disorder. However I have found that if I forget my doses or try to cutback, I start to become anxious, as well as having my symptoms begin to return, primarily increased spasticity, which is why I take neurontin (it doesn't help my nerve pain, I take topamax for that). Good luck, I hope you can get a new script today! The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[SoFla]

Sorry, but I have to ask, why did Nick run short on the meds? It seems highly unlikely that the doctor shorted his Rx. Did Nick use more than prescribed?

[SCI-Nurse]

I am not sure that the doctor shorted his prescription. It is possible that the appointment and prescription don't coincide.

However, the real problem is that he shouldn't come of the neurontin suddenly. Call the doctor and ask him to call in a refill ASAP!!! If they won't, and I am not sure why they wouldn't - go to the ER or urgent care. The symptoms you are describing could be withdrawal.

CKF

[Broknwing]

Originally Posted by dunwawry

They don't recommend abrupt withdrawal of neurontin due to the risk of seizures, but seizures are unlikely if Nick doesn't suffer from a seizure disorder.

Just to clarify, the risk of a seizure from neurontin withdrawl is a legitimate concern, even without a history of seizures. The medication changes your brain chemistry to prevent them, it can cause them in non-seizure prone people due to this....

[sjean423]

Raven,

Just wondering how he is making out?