Lorne???
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- May 3, 2014
- Messages
- 2,558
Well, that is certainly a detailed taper. It seems sound, but a couple of points:
first off, DO NOT administer the antacid. Trying to reduce bioavailability to make them "less effective" is insane. This is especially true at high doses, since the BA of GP is inversely proportional to dose; therefore the BA may already be reduced. But in any case, taking something that reduces BA could lead to an unpredictable drop in BA, and is simply unnecessary if he is already tapering.
So just reduce the dose, and don't attempt to play with BA.
Next, I would slow down the initial taper. Go down by 300mg at a time, rather than 600. You see you are doing your taper in reverse; you are starting out by making large dose decreases at short intervals, and by the end your making VERY small decreases slowly. It should be the opposite of that.
Finaly, is they're a medical justification for this? Gabapentin withdrawal is generally very mild, and if it's helping him, then they hardly justify taking him off. If he's in as much pain as you say, he will have to have some sort of PS analgesic. The fact he has been in pain for over a decade does not somehow mean that he can "deal with it". In fact, pain tends to get worse as you get older, and pain tolerance universally decreases. My point, is that if he needs them, and if he benefits, then he shouldn't be taken off without a good reason. Does your doctor agree with this?
Perhaps he should try reducing the dose, and see uf it is still effective. Ir maybe it is time to switch to a PRN opioid. But pain is serious, and if not dealt with properly, it severaly decreases quality of life.
I suggest talking to a doctor, or at least consult people here
You are your husband's advocate, and as you yourself said, you function as a sort of "pharmacist". So it is up to you help him find a treatment that is both acceptable and effective. I wish you luck, and feel free to ask any questions.
first off, DO NOT administer the antacid. Trying to reduce bioavailability to make them "less effective" is insane. This is especially true at high doses, since the BA of GP is inversely proportional to dose; therefore the BA may already be reduced. But in any case, taking something that reduces BA could lead to an unpredictable drop in BA, and is simply unnecessary if he is already tapering.
So just reduce the dose, and don't attempt to play with BA.
Next, I would slow down the initial taper. Go down by 300mg at a time, rather than 600. You see you are doing your taper in reverse; you are starting out by making large dose decreases at short intervals, and by the end your making VERY small decreases slowly. It should be the opposite of that.
Finaly, is they're a medical justification for this? Gabapentin withdrawal is generally very mild, and if it's helping him, then they hardly justify taking him off. If he's in as much pain as you say, he will have to have some sort of PS analgesic. The fact he has been in pain for over a decade does not somehow mean that he can "deal with it". In fact, pain tends to get worse as you get older, and pain tolerance universally decreases. My point, is that if he needs them, and if he benefits, then he shouldn't be taken off without a good reason. Does your doctor agree with this?
Perhaps he should try reducing the dose, and see uf it is still effective. Ir maybe it is time to switch to a PRN opioid. But pain is serious, and if not dealt with properly, it severaly decreases quality of life.
I suggest talking to a doctor, or at least consult people here
You are your husband's advocate, and as you yourself said, you function as a sort of "pharmacist". So it is up to you help him find a treatment that is both acceptable and effective. I wish you luck, and feel free to ask any questions.