If your doctor has prescribed the seizure medication gabapentin, you may feel concerned about the numerous troubling accounts you’ll find online regarding this drug. Many individuals who state that “gabapentin ruined my life” or “I used gabapentin for fourteen days before developing dependency” are describing how they developed a substance use disorder (gabapentin addiction) despite following their prescribed dosage instructions exactly.
In this article, we will examine gabapentin’s therapeutic applications, its adverse reactions, and the reasons why it can present challenges as a treatment option for anxiety disorders and other medical conditions.
What is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is a widespread drug that supports individuals who experience nerve pain and seizures due to shingles. The drug is familiar to many as Neurontin.
Gabapentin, even when taken as prescribed by the doctor, may have some rather unpleasant side effects. The issue worsens when individuals fail to take the medicine in an appropriate manner.
Certain individuals combine Neurontin with painkillers such as opioids or other substances, making it far more hazardous and increasing the risk of addiction.
How Gabapentin Is Used
Doctors don’t just give gabapentin for seizures and neuropathic pain. They also use it to treat other health problems that aren’t officially approved by the government but have been shown to help patients.
Doctors may give gabapentin for restless legs syndrome (RLS), treatments for anxiety disorder, migraine prevention, or hot flashes from hormonal changes. Medications may have side effects, which may be either mild or severe.
The most reported side effects associated with taking gabapentin are fatigue, poor body coordination, lightheadedness, and atypical eye movement complications.
Why Do People Say “Gabapentin Ruined My Life”?
Gabapentin reacts very differently in people. To others, it may be an effective therapeutic benefit for pain relief of the nerves or seizures. However, to some people, it may pose severe side effects, making life more difficult. When someone comes to you and says, “Gabapentin ruined my life,” it is just a simple way of saying they had a bad experience with it. This is why it is necessary to know the risks before starting it.
What Are the Dangers of Taking Gabepentin?
Gabapentin has its fair share of side effects (all the drugs do). The most frequent among them include the feeling of dizziness, sleepiness, and feeling a bit shaky. Some individuals can handle them well. Yet to other people, the side effects are severe and unsettling.
The following are some of the more severe reported reactions in people:
Suicidal Thoughts
Gabapentin has occasionally caused individuals to consider the act of self-harm. Which is particularly likely in case you have a history of depression. When you begin to think about these things, you have to tell somebody: your doctor or a family member or call a crisis line.
Adverse Allergies
When they occur, they are serious, even though it is not frequent. You may swell up on your face, lips, and throat. You can experience difficulties breathing or develop a bad rash all over your body. Report immediately to an emergency number or hospital in case any of these occur.
Mood Swings
Others claim that the use of gabapentin caused them to become a new individual. It is possible that you have been bickering more with your children, or you are becoming nervous about certain things when before you couldn’t care less. Such changes may seem even more awful if you already have issues with your mental health, and they may damage your relationships as well.
Coming Off Too Soon
Doctors forget to mention that you cannot simply quit the intake of gabapentin. When you do, you can get anxious, sweaty, nauseous, or even feel like you have the flu. Your medical practitioner must assist you in quitting it gradually.
Getting Wobbly
Gabapentin may leave you feeling dizzy or off your feet. It is more likely to stumble, fall, or get into accidents. This is of particular concern when you are older, as falls are dangerous.
Gabapentin works well for many people. However, it is a problem for some people, and these side effects may turn your life upside down.
What Organs Does Gabapentin Damage?
Gabapentin is usually safe with most individuals, although it has a few effects on body organs. The most affected are the kidneys, as they aid in eliminating the drug. Gabapentin can accumulate in your body and produce side effects, as well, if you have kidney problems.
In exceptional cases, the liver may also be involved, and it may be associated with such symptoms as an increase in liver enzymes. Gabapentin can also retard breathing particularly when it is used in combination with other drugs that relax the body.
It primarily targets the nervous system. Others might experience dizziness, difficulty in thinking, or an alteration in balance or memory. In most cases, these effects disappear when one stops using the medication, although in others, they may persist.
The use of gabapentin should be medically advised, more so when one has underlying conditions.
How Prescription Drugs Like Gabapentin Become Abused
The majority of people begin taking gabapentin at the recommendation of their physician. They initially adhere to the bottle’s instructions. But as time passes, some people discover that the medication helps them feel relaxed or at ease. They might desire to take more drugs than they should because they feel fantastic. Some people believe that taking more medication is safe because their doctor prescribed it. This is untrue. It might be risky and lead to addiction to take more than the doctor prescribes. Gabapentin is given to others by friends or relatives who have extra pills. They may begin taking it to feel different or to aid with stress or sleep issues.
Why Gabapentin Can Be Abused
Gabapentin changes the functioning of the brain and can promote relaxation or sleep. There are people who like this feeling so much that they consume more in order to achieve the same. As a person gets used to the medication, they will need higher doses to feel good. Patients who have a history of substance abuse tend to abuse gabapentin in combination with alcohol or other narcotics. It is easily accessible since the majority of doctors prescribe the drug, and some people believe it is not harmful.
A drug used in a way other than prescribed can be dangerous. The other factors that may predispose the victim to the misuse of prescription drugs such as gabapentin, include stress, mental health issues, and influence of peers.
Signs of Gabapentin Addiction
Knowing the warning signs of gabapentin addiction can help you spot if someone needs help. Here are the main things to look for:
Behavior Changes:
- Taking more pills than the doctor said to take
- Running out of medicine too early
- Going to different doctors to get more prescriptions
- Lying about how much medicine, you are taking
- Hiding pills or being secretive about medicine
- Getting angry when you can’t get the drugs
Social and Emotional Signs:
- You start having problems at work or school
- You lose interest in hobbies or activities you used to enjoy
- You get into fights with your family and friends more often
- You become more anxious or scared when you don’t have the medicine
- You start to spend lots of money on medicine or doctor visits
Daily Life Problems:
- You stop taking care of yourself (personal hygiene)
- Missing out on important things or appointments
- Oversleeping or insomnia
- Failure to eat regularly or overeating
If you or someone you love is experiencing one (or more ) of these signs, you clearly have gabapentin addiction. Get the help you need early on to make it easier to recover.
Treatment for Gabapentin Addiction
Whether you or a loved one is currently battling with an addiction to gabapentin, it is important to know that recovery is possible and that there is help. Here are a few treatment plans:
Medical Detox
The first step you will go through is medical detox (which will be supervised, of course). Detoxification under medical supervision will ensure you do not suffer severely from the withdrawal symptoms. Professionals will ensure you are comfortable and safe in the absence of the drug from your body.
Persons suffering from gabapentin addiction need to go through medical detox to help get through withdrawal symptoms. You will be supplied with medications that will help ease the pain, and you will be monitored the whole time using a structured detox program.
Counselling and Therapy
Another bonus treatment to help you recover is going through therapy. And not just any therapy, but Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT will help get to the bottom of what’s causing your addiction, identify what’s triggering it, and give you ways to cope with it. Since many people who misuse gabapentin also struggle with anxiety or depression, therapy can also help treat those issues at the same time.
Counseling is built to help you understand the emotional and mental reasons behind your addiction. You will sit down with a therapist who will walk you through your struggles, and you will learn a thing or two about yourself. Another effective treatment is family therapy, which can help improve support at home. Some programs offer extra help through things like art, yoga, or mindfulness to heal your mind and body in different ways.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Inpatient rehab is when you are admitted to a treatment center for a period of time or until you recover. Here, you will have a safe space free from daily stress and triggers. Inpatient rehab comes as a package with everything in-house dedicated to ensure you fully recover. When we say ‘in-house’, we mean you have access to round-the-clock medical support, one-on-one and group therapy. All these strategies available to you will help you understand your addiction and learn ways to cope. If you have mental health issues like anxiety or depression along with addiction, inpatient rehab can treat both at the same time.
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Outpatient rehab is a bit flexible compared to the inpatient program. You get to go home and attend regular treatment sessions while living your life as usual. During these sessions, you will meet with a counselor who will talk to you about your struggles and ways to overcome them.
On the upside, there are also group sessions just like the inpatient program. A support group will help you connect with others who are going through the same thing you are. It’s more of a safe space to share with others and get support. If you are taking any medication, doctors monitor how it’s working and adjust it if needed. Outpatient rehab is still as effective as being admitted to the hospital. All you have to do is pick the one that you are comfortable with.
Aftercare
Aftercare helps you stay on track after your main treatment is over. You will get the usual regular counseling sessions you had before. These sessions are supposed to help talk about how things are going and deal with any new problems you may have.
In addition, you can also join support groups to connect with others in the recovery stage. And most importantly, you will learn how to avoid relapse and handle triggers, so you can keep moving forward in your recovery journey.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. Can Gabapentin really ruin a person’s life?
Yes, when not used properly. Gabapentin has a few positive benefits (handling pain and seizures), yet it has brought a great deal of pain to many. It is much to deal with, starting with severe side effects and going all the way to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Q2. What are the most common Gabapentin side effects?
The most frequent side effects include dizziness, tiredness, edema, blurred vision, and mood swings (depression or nervousness). The side effects are patient dependent and dose dependent.
Q3. Is Gabapentin addiction possible?
Yes! Yes! Yes! Gabapentin is additive especially when you use it for a long period. Relying heavily on it can lead to withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Q4. What are typical Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms?
The withdrawal symptoms can be anxiety, insomnia, nausea, sweating, tremors and in rare instances seizures. The symptoms typically start within several days of ceasing or lowering the dose.
Q5. Is Gabapentin safe to stop?
It is safe when it is slow and when under the care of a doctor. Withdrawal symptoms such as seizures may arise when one abruptly stops.
Q6. How long does Gabapentin withdrawal last?
It can last from 7 days to a couple of weeks or even months. It all depends on the dosage, how long you have used the drug, and, of course, individual factors.
Q7. Can gabapentin cause permanent damage?
There is a low risk of permanent damage, although memory or coordination problems can be lifelong problems in some people after chronic or large-dose exposure. The majority of side effects disappear when the medication is discontinued with the help of a doctor.
Q8. Can you take gabapentin for life?
Yes, there are those who use it as a chronic pain or seizure drug. Nevertheless, it is to be checked regularly by a doctor to ensure that it is still safe and efficient.
Q9. Is gabapentin still good after 7 years?
No. Gabapentin has a shelf life of about 2 or 3 years. After that, it very unsafe or rather ineffective to use. Never forget to check the date and get rid of the expired meds.
Q10. Is gabapentin erectile dysfunction permanent?
Usually not. The dysfunction usually reacts positively to withdrawal of the drug, but recovery can take time. Talk to your doctor in case it does not disappear.
Q11. What is the success rate of gabapentin?
It is effective in a lot of individuals and in particular, nerve pain (30 60 % success rate) and seizures. It is condition and person-dependent.
Q12. Does gabapentin cause neurological damage?
It may lead to temporary problems such as loss of balance or brain fog, but they are not very common. The symptoms disappear upon cessation, particularly when accompanied by frequent medical examination.
Conclusion
If you or someone you care about often says, “Gabapentin ruined my life,” then it is time to reclaim mental and overall well-being. Take you time to do research and speak with your doctor before starting any medical plan. Tampering with the recommended dosage will bring you additional problems you may not be prepared to face.
Your doctor knows the right amount for you and will ensure your safety. Remember, your health is as precious as you are.
