Gabapentin (Neurontin) or Pregabalin (Lyrica) for Benzo withdrawal?

[pally pete]

How did your appointment go Pete?

Just wanted to add something to the other replies here. I suggested to my doctor a few years ago on my first taper attempt to use Gabapentin to aid with my benzo taper and he was totally against the idea.

Yeah it went ok, thanks for asking.

They are planning on some type of slow benzo reduction but were unclear on details, she said they would call me to let me know when my next appointment would be as my actual councillor will be busy next tuesday which is the usual day of my appointments.

She originally suggested in-patient detox but has now scrapped that idea and said she will speak to the detox nurse at the counsilling service about the taper.

The thing is like i mentioned previously, they more specialise in Heroin,Crack,Alcohol,Cocaine addicts although she said some of there patients do have benzo problems but they had never came across anybody like me before and i was totally unique.

They are probably wondering where on earth do you start with somebody whose abuse is extreme as mine?!

Anyway i havent touched anything since saturday and dont feel so bad but i know whats round the corner...

- Just wanted to bump this thread up a bit. Any other suggestions for benzo withdrawal? Especially the tactile sensations and sleep? I guess not much one can do, but really ride it out.

All other times ive just ridden it out but have been to hell and beyond at times with insomnia, rebound anxiety, twitches etc although what really troubled me were the suicidal thoughts and thoughts of impending doom, auditory hallucinations and closed eye visuals.

For sleep i got hold of some Mirtazapine but i will only use if absolutely desperate as it leaves me feeling very groggy the next day and is not really a good thing to be using regulary as its primarily used as an anti-depressant and im already on prescription Sertraline.

Good luck.

 

[Mugz]

I have been prescribed mirtazepine for the end of my benzo taper too pally pete, it certainly helps with the sleep and also frees up the benzos to help with the anxiety during the day. It does leave me feeling overly groggy though I agree, is a common side effect unless you sleep for 12 hours in a row.

 

[mygreenbic]

someone that can really speak to this issue I need some advice severely bad. I ran out of my Klonopin script early and I'm in severe withdrawal. I don't have access to any other benzos and things are getting severe. I have lyrica 300mg capsules that I've been taking but I need to know if lyrica will help in a medical sense or make this worse. I can't afford to get in worse shape than I already am. ty

 

[《Plasticity》]

Didn't you say you had Temazepam? Both lyrica and gabapentin may help (personally, gabapentin did very little for etizolam WD) but they won't replace your benzo 1 for 1. Taking either during withdrawal shouldn't make your situation worse but they really are terrible anticonvulsants and more likely than not won't stop any seizures. Probably not what you wanna hear but you really should get to a hospital at this point. Benzo withdrawal can be dangerous and should be taken seriously, especially if you've been klonopin for several years.

 

[mygreenbic]

I think I'm in severe trouble. I let the withdrawl get too serious to the point that I can't get myself to the hospital. anyone going through this, bless your heart. it's extremely vicious and I don't know what to do. I wish I had listened to your advice earlier.

 

[《Plasticity》]

Oh boy

Can you bring yourself to call an ambulance? A friend? If you have any alcohol near by it can potentially get you out of withdrawal for a few hours but after it wears off you may be at an even higher risk of having a seizure, or at least that's what I keep reading... Perhaps as a last resort you can have a few beers and find a way to get help? (No driving of course) I wish you the best of luck MGB.

 

[mygreenbic]

you are an awesome person and I know I have been getting myself into a lot of bad situations and bothering you with them but God bless you fur helping.
turns out I took bumps of lyrica snorted until I finally called my doc and got my script called in early. surprisingly the alcohol and lyrica really helped an amazing amount. more so the insuffilated pregabalin than anything. right now I'm in a new jam. took too much of my bromo dragonfly stash and am having some serious difficulties
anyone that can talk please

 

[What was it?]

I think I'm in severe trouble. I let the withdrawl get too serious to the point that I can't get myself to the hospital. anyone going through this, bless your heart. it's extremely vicious and I don't know what to do. I wish I had listened to your advice earlier.

Taper is best. Alternatively, in-patient detox with a mix of benzos and/or only phenobarbital (a long-acting barbiturate). I never understood why anybody could take insane doses of benzos. It's the most dangerous common drug on the planet to abuse. The most I have ever taken is 5mg Xanax and I consider myself to have a meaningful benzo problem.

 

[Man in the Dark]

2grams of Lyrica is an insane amount to knock back if you've never tried it previously. Benzos and Pregabalin don't work the same way in the brain. I've heard Lyrica is great for benzo withdrawal, but I'd recommend starting at a lower dose since it is very expensive and the recommended max daily dosage is 600mg.

Good call I have a high benzo tolerance and the fist time I had 300 mg I took it at 7pm and felt kinda drunk and goofy but the next morning I was fucked up dizzy as hell and it felt like I took about 5 shots of booze and took a few hits of some good weed. So I would take it slow with the Lyrica.