I read on here that this is a medication that must build up in your system first but I am not interested in taking it all the time. My doc prescribed me this for my horrible panic disorder and I haven't tried it yet. So if I just pop one whenever I'm feeling anxious, will it work? Thanks
Can I take gabapentin AS NEEDED for anxiety attacks?
Question posted by nerybba on 9 June 2013
Last updated on 24 September 2017
Answers
johnw489
15 June 2013
i take gabapentin three times a day for muscle/nerve pain. i think my shrink also hopes it helps with my anxiety. it doesnt she just wants to believe it does.lol.it dont give you instant relief like clonapin or xanax or valium and ativan. i think you have to get the levels up in your blood stream for it to work. now that i am taking it on the schedule i am suppose to i feel the effects more. yes i have add to as you can tell by my rambling. worse i actually have adhd. yea hyperactive. okay nery. best of health and god bless.
MuseMyself
15 June 2013
Well, it's all ADHD now lol and I understood your comment ha! The original purpose for the med. Was nerve pain and found it to stable moods as well as calm "nerves" anxiety... +other ailments... yes, it's true about blood stream BUT, THEY DO GIVE TO pts as PRN... I take klonopin for anxiety ...
I hope that The PRN HELPS! IF NOT THERE ARE MANY OTHER BETTER MEDS FOR ANXIETY. .. DON'T LOSE HOPE!
johnw489
16 June 2013
i dunno what prn means though
MuseMyself
16 June 2013
Sorry PRN, means as needed I try my best not to write in med term. It has been drilled into me... I catch myself most the time and write what it means... don't ever hesitate to ask me if you don't understand something... I tend to confuse people at times as well. Take care!
tousant5516
25 Sep 2017
Hi there, yes I take it as needed, I have try many medicine for my anxiety but they don't work, so I got back on Gabapentin I take 1 tablet at night for my anxiety 300mg drink plenty of water. The only problem my joints hurt the next day but I found once I move around it get better. I wish you the best
MuseMyself
9 June 2013
While I was in the hospital they gave it to me as a prn. For me I can't take it all the time anyways-for the fact, I am an impulse person. The drug makes me more impulse... it does work better taken everyday from my experience. I was on it as a teen until I found out it increased my symptoms. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION POINT BLANK-YES, YOU CAN TAKE IT AS NEEDED=PRN... everyone is different people do fine with it. I wish I had. It also, helps with pain&mood too.
Hope this helps-Take care!
nerybba
10 June 2013
Were they giving it to you for anxiety?
MuseMyself
10 June 2013
Yes, they were giving it to me for my anxiety... sorry, I babble and didn't make it clear to you. I have ADD as well...
nerybba
10 June 2013
Thanks for your reply! I have extremely crippling anxiety and I do hair so it makes it hard for me to work on my clients when I'm shaking so hard and feeling like I'm going to lose control of my body :( so I'm really hoping the gab works!!!
MuseMyself
10 June 2013
My story= I so understand the situation with the anxiety and shaking-> I had to stick people for blood draws, injections, take sugar & urine tests I so didn't want to spill on myself! I was so afraid to draw blood from anyone I would act busy with paperwork or helping someone who was new... I was caught. "You,haven't done any draws in a month, you're going to draw on me right now- (PPE's) get set up!" I was sweating, I got a butterfly needle(easier to handle). I stopped myself from shaking long enough to take her draw. Proved it wasn't that I couldn't. I just came out and told her, I am on a new medication that makes me sweat, shake, and I am afraid I am going to hurt someone by my shaking it's bad at times... I told her I also have and appt. With my doctor b/c of this matter. She couldn't understand why I didn't go to her before, since we were both in the medical field...
I felt embarrassed for one, afraid what would happen to my career two, I didn't want anyone to be afraid or think I couldn't do my job when I had a plan in place to hopefully fix it... I had the best boss in the world at the time. I also worked at the school I graduated from had a great boss there she quit so I quit... if someone else can put up with me I would so move if I had to lol...
Hang in there if it doesn't help, there sre many other things that may... for me it's like trying on sunglasses very few look good on me I try on every pair the one pair that looks great is a very hard find ring me up lol...
Is this med. The first med. For your shaking and such? Clonidine is what stopped mine. Even though, I'm not sure if I am staying on it or not... works great, just waiting for Dr to get back to me...
Take care, don't ever give up!
I did and made it worse when I thought it couldn't get any worse... (longer story)ha!
Hellraiser777
25 June 2017
As someone who struggles with Shakey hands... You should look into propranolol... I've heard surgeons sometimes use it before surgery. I would hope they do. It's primary use is for blood pressure, but like many medications it has secondary uses. As for the gabapentin... I do believe people find as needed relief from it. I'm looking to get off of it because I'm finding relief enough from my other meds. It should work. Stay safe!
Related topics
anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, gabapentin, medication, disorder
Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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