What can I take for these headaches? I can't take aspirin, it causes more nausea, and I don't really want to take tylenol if at all possible as it does nothing, ibuprofen makes me super nauseated, too. I've gone from twelve, yes TWELVE 300mg tabs a day to two 300mg tabs. Could this be the root of my headaches and nausea? I know that fatigue is to be expected, yet I don't know about this nausea and the headaches which may or may not be migraines, don't know as there is no visual disturbance.
Thanks to any who answer!! (I beg pardon for two questions in as many days.)
Lara
Gabapentin withdrawal, can it cause nausea and headaches?
Question posted by MacIntosh12 on 22 July 2013
Last updated on 14 November 2014 by Froggie1901
This question has also been asked and answered here: How long does gabapentin withdrawal last?
8 Answers
Froggie1901
14 Nov 2014
I've had this same issue I just went back on it to see of it was from stopping It for lyrica an I been dealing with nausea in the am as soon as I open my eyes in the morning my stomach turns I never puked had unbelievable anxiety which I'm now on Paxil an buspar twice a day an the nausea went away with Vistaril for nausea an anxiety only works for nausea it was my miracle pill for about 6 months then I decided to go back on the gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day an woke up this morning with no nausea would it have really lasted that long even switch in to lyrica which is stronger
Dumpster Diver
24 July 2013
Hey Mac, No miracle words of wisdom, just the miracle"Words of Prayer"...
Dumpster Diver--- Hope every day of WD is getting a teensy better*.*
MacIntosh12
25 July 2013
Hi DD,
Your prayers are most welcome, thank you sweet friend! It IS getting easier!
Only had to take two ibuprofen yesterday and I went to a loud concert last night and NO headache afterward, MIRACULOUS methinks! Your prayers must be working.
Love to you,
Lara
Triciakit
23 July 2013
Hi Lara, You were on a lot of Gabapentin. Did you slowly ween yourself off it... Maybe thats why you are getting these headaches. I know the first time i went off it i was told to go off it slowly and i didnt have a problem. Hope you are feeling better now.
MacIntosh12
25 July 2013
Hi Tricia,
I tapered off with my doc's consent. It was easy, save for the headaches and nausea which are a bit better now that I've gone down to one 300mg tablet, go figure!
Lara
kathyhanson
22 July 2013
Lara,
Girl, don't apologize for asking questions here. That's what we are on the site for. No questions - no answers, no learning - no growth, no friends - no reason to be on DC! I'm with the others that it sounds like you are having withdrawal symptoms. But, I hope you will check with your doc just to be sure there is no other reason for your H.A. and nausea. I'm glad you are coming off of the gabs. I only took it for a few weeks way back in 2005/06 and I thought it would kill me with the seizures and other side effects. I want you to feel better. You've been through enough.
Lots of love,
Kath
sara12345
22 July 2013
Sorry to hear about your nausea and headaches, but if it is from the withdrawal of the Gaba, then it will go away in time. And so wonderful that you are now feeling better from going off of the toxic Gaba. Remember that I couldn't take the lowest dose of it more than the one pill. Wish you better health without so much pain.
RaymondA
22 July 2013
I had no idea this could cause any withdrawal symptoms. I was on it for only one month, however. Try old fashioned alka seltzer. It has aspirin and buffer to soothe your stomach. I know it smacks of 1950, but it's amazingly effective. I hate to hear you're hurting, girl.
MacIntosh12
22 July 2013
Raymond, you are so right, Alka Seltzer does work wonders and I do have some, just so afraid of the aspirin barfiness! It just has been making this so much worse. I will try it tonight before bed.
Thanks Raymond!
Lara
mkaym12
22 July 2013
Sorry, no words of wisdom, but I do hope you find relief.
Ingenue
24 July 2013
Thank you also, Raymond... my doctor put me on Lyrica for severe arm pain ( neuralgia) whatever that is... then I couldn't get a refill for 8 days,and felt overall terrible... I'll remember the alka seltzer if It happens again... I was reading you have to wean yourself off Lyrica ... maybe Gabapetin is the same?
MacIntosh12
25 July 2013
Hi Ingenue,
Yes, Lyrica is the sister drug to Neurontin (gabapentin), it's very similar, however it seems that Lyrica can cause some scary side effects, I'd hives all over me when I first tried it (same goes for gabapentin tho, both can be frightening) and also major swellage of my legs, my ankles were "cankles"... they looked like my calf muscles! Oh so pretty, I looked very fashionable, too. Some people tolerate Lyrica much better than Gab or vice versa. I hope Lyrica is your miracle med!!
Lara
hockeymom719
22 July 2013
First of all why are you trying to stop the medication? Also have you tried essential oils for your headache and nausea? Peppermint should help with both. It can't hurt!
MacIntosh12
22 July 2013
Hi HM, I had a toxic reaction to gabapentin, my muscles went totally rigid and I was really confused and depressed, too. So I'm off of this crap! No more for me, it made the pain worse.
I've tried peppermint and ginger to no avail.
Thank you for your kind answer,
Lara
mishie
22 July 2013
I would say YES!!! My husband had a spinal fusion after a failed disk surgery. He took gabapentin for the years in between the surgery. Before his fusion, his surgeon advised him to stop all meds do he could get a handle on how real his pain level was. He was taking the gaba for nerve pain. He is very strong willed and a believer in 'mind over matter', but this almost brought him down. He was miserable. I've never seen him like that. He had headaches, was in a fog, nauseous... it was awful. After the 2nd surgery, his pain Dr prescribed lyrica, which I think I'd in the same family, could be wrong. It helps a lot, but if he even goes one day w/o, he's sick. Take the Tylenol. It does help the most with headache, and is the most gentle on the stomach.
Michelle
MacIntosh12
22 July 2013
Thank you Mishie,
I'm relieved to know that it's possible that all of this is from the gabapentin w/d!
I think I may give Raymond's answer a try, good old Alka Seltzer, it may help.
I cannot believe the difference in my pain levels since cutting back on gabapentin, it does nothing for me, I actually believe it had made the neuropathy (mad stinging and stabbing pain all over me, 24/7) worse!
Some study was done (don't tell your husband this, cuz it's working for him!) was done, a double blind and gabapentin was as effective as a placebo! Lawsuit ensued. Go figure.
Thanks Mishie,
Lara
sandynx820
23 July 2013
Woah... I never knew anyone on so much gaba! Personally, I take 400mg 3X a day. For most pain it does nothing... however (and this is a big however) I have horrific leg pain during sleeping hours. Feels like someone is scraping the flesh off of my bones with a razor!!! Gaba completely eliminates this pain... and I know it is not a placebo because I sometimes forget my 3:00 o'clock dose and I could cry because even when I take more at 9:00 pm, if I have forgotten the afternoon dose I am assured of a terrible night with a lot of leg pain. This is the ONLY reason I put up with the weight gain and the memory problems.
Buttercup2
24 July 2013
Hi all. I have been on neurontin for 3 years and I too thought it was not helping with the nerve pain. But when I missed a dose I paid for it that night. I hurt so badly in my legs that I had a lot of difficulty in sleeping.
sandynx820
24 July 2013
Buttercup2... you are the only other person that I have heard from who seems to have the same night time leg pain that I am talking about... it is weird because they dont bother me too much during the day. I first started noticing this pain about 30 years ago, but only mildly and on nights that I was in bed for more than 6 hours... but it kept getting gradually worse... i.e. suddenly it was stronger pain and it would happen after 4 hours, then about 5 years ago, horrific pain and within an hour of laying down. I tried so many other meds but Nothing works like the Gabapentin.
MacIntosh12
25 July 2013
Hi sandynx,
That is the highest dose of gabapentin recommended by doctors, 3600mgs.
If you look it up above, Drugs A to Z, you may find the reference regarding highest dose. It actually is commonly prescribed at this dose for the pain I have, which doesn't occur just at night, it's all day and night long. Glad yours is only noticeable during the night, not that that is good, but having it constantly certainly can cause some problems with ones life, to put it mildly.
I've severe neuropathy which did not respond, not one bit, to gabapentin, some have good luck with it and i'm glad you've found something that treats your neuropathy, but I'm now down to one 300mg tab a day and there is NO change, except it's actually a bit better and I find that I don't have as many memory issues as I did, it caused so many problems for me.
But as I said, very happy it works for you!! We are all different, there isn't one med that helps everyone with neuropathy.
Lara
Related topics
headache, nausea/vomiting, gabapentin, withdrawal
Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
