Gabapentin for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• InAtl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2016

"I've only been taking this medication for under a week, 300mg x 3 times/day. Pdoc Rx'd it for my BP1, and as an adjuct treatment for insomnia and anxiety. My first few doses I felt pleasantly drugged and mellow. It had a moderate cannaboid effect and even gave me the munchies and had me babbling. It has lessened quickly. This med must be working on the brains gaba receptors indeed for I've had a general sense of wellbeing and calmness. Side effects: increased appetite, some minor drowsiness/loopiness, some dipsomania, and strangely...a frequent need to "stretch out" my muscles. I'm going to continue this medication, and even ask about a higher dose. More time on it will reveal how well this treats my conditions."

• TerryB
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2018

"This medication was extremely helpful for my bipolar. We tried a lot of other drugs. I'm very sensitive and a lot of other drugs either raise my liver enzymes or give me excruciating migraines. This medicine will level you off so that your anxiety isn't taking over your life. It actually helped me function in life rather than avoid it altogether. I'm 40 years old and time is flying by. I want to enjoy myself somewhat before I'm too old. I would recommend this to anyone who's suffering with ptsd and anxiety."

• watson
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

"My family has a history of bipolar 1. I went untreated for 20 years. You can only imagine the things I've done when in manic and depressive states. I finally got help last year for the first time. I have been on several medications over the past year and have been unstable. I just started Gabapentin, using it to try to come off clonazapam. I also take lamictal, seroquel and dronabinol and have never been this stable. My rapid cycling has slowed down extremely."

• Nicky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2019

"I have tried many different antipsychotics, some did not help at all while others made my situation worse. I was diagnosed bipolar about 7 months ago. I have also tried many mood stabilizers, I feel like lamictal kinda helps so I stay on it. Maybe it is helping with my depression, it’s kind of hard to tell because maybe I’m just in a better place. I recently started gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day. It’s only been 3 days but I feel like it may be helping. My psych was hesitant to give it to me as he stated he has never prescribed it before. Thankfully I do my own research and usually suggest what I want to try. Anyways hopefully this dose works for me and I can post back in a week or so commenting on the status of how I feel. I’m hoping this is it, because I’m tired of having anxiety all the time and having to try so many different meds so I do not longer have anxiety. Be well everybody, keep hope and you will hear from me again soon. God bless."

• JasNe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 28, 2017

"This medication has changed my life. I also take Effexor. Diagnosed with bipolar. I feel calm, capable, confident, energetic, stable & happy. I was in a terrible state before I started it, severely depressed, anxiety, anger and I was even hospitalized for my behavior and suicidal thoughts. My only concern is what I've read about withdrawals but it is worth to me to have my life back."

• Kimg
• October 5, 2015

"After years of battling depression, ADHD, PTSD, and serve anxiety my Dr. put me on gabapentin. I was recently diagnosed with mixed bipolar disorder. I have been struggling over 15 years now with Dr.'s trying me on all kinds of meds. I take Paxil, Klonopin, and clonodine, along with the gabapentin that they just increased to help with my ADHD. I don't want to say it's a miracle med., but I see the difference already. My thoughts are more clear, and it helps me concentrate better than I ever had. I wish one of the many Dr.'s over the years could have actually picked up on my current diagnosis, but at least I feel better now and can focus on my therapy to learn better coping skills during this process."

• Vog
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2012

"I use Gabapentin 1200 mg since 2 weeks for my rapid cycling bipolar. Since one week I feel stable as I have never been for 10 years. It is early to say but it seems to be helpful. It is very difficult condition and difficult for treatment too. I was suffering a lot, but now I just enjoy to my life. I eat normal and also I am calmer. Also I use Depakote and Effexor, a little dose Wellbutrin and Seroquel. I have very mild mood changes now."

• Anony...
• December 16, 2023

"I have Bipolar 1 anger, often, and extreme - making me throw things and hate everything and everybody. I'm very normal, know I have Bipolar 1 and can tell when anger is coming by great annoyance and ruminating, wanting to punish someone. Well, I gradually increased my dosage to 300mg/3 a day. Now, after around 8 hours, my Gabapentin wears off! I get grumpy, on the edge. I take 300mg of Gabapentin. In about half an hour, I'm normal again. It's exceedingly obvious! Other than that, it has no effect, but I guess I'm normal aside from this anger. Well, no, I never want to do anything, but nothing cures that mild, persistent depression that has lasted for decades, so I do things no matter what! No side effects."

• chrissy
• October 19, 2014

"Neurontin has been a life saver for me. I've been taking it for 8 years since my first time I was in a drug rehab center. My doctor started giving me neurontin as a mood stabilizer and said that it helps with opioid and heroin withdrawal symptoms. And he was absolutely right. I have been on so many medications and neurontin is definitely the best med I have taken for my symptoms. I recommend this to anyone who has the problem tht I do."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I am currently on 3200 MG a day (was on 2400 a day, but after 5 years started to develop a tolerance). I have been put on it for my bipolar then taken off of it then put back on it for an injury to my neck. After several nightmare drug trials including Geodon, Tegretol, Lithium, Seroquel, and Zyprexa and more... I will never again stray from this medication. The ones in the list that did help caused horrific side effects mostly being a feeling like restless leg syndrome (except with Seroquel it was all over my body), and with Lithium I have never wanted to commit suicide as strongly as I did on the two times I attempted that medication. Neurontin makes me calmer, sometimes giggly I admit, and sometimes zoned out but this is rare."

• JJ9069
• July 22, 2016

"Without going into excessive detail, I've been on Lamictal for about 5 years. Tried anti-psychotics (almost all) but could not handle the weight gain from them. Recently I realized that as great as Lamictal is, I needed to add an anti-psychotic and just deal with weight gain. But my psychiatrist suggested I try Gabapentin before anything else. I'm only on 600 mg a day (been on it for 4 days), and I know my body is still adjusting to it, so this might be a hasty review... but it's given me a calming feel, helped a little with racing thoughts, but I feel "high," at times like I'd drank a lot of codeine. It definitely makes you loopy, but I'm just gonna see how it goes. Just give it a try if you're Bipolar I and don't want the anti-psychotics."

• AndyB...
• February 11, 2015

"After taking Lamitcal (250mg) for a 8 months or so to address my highly recurrent depressive episode, I realized I was still feeling agitated/annoyed/worried/anxious etc. Psych prescribed a low dose (100-300mg, up to 3x/day) to take as needed. I take it when I know something stressful, or a stressful part of my week, will be coming up. It seems to 'just work,' subtly within 30 minutes. It works so well and it is so subtle that I more than half wonder if it's all just the placebo effect. However it works, I'm happy to have found a chill pill that has no side effects, is non-habit forming and can be taken as needed rather than feeling enslaved to it."

• CBA
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2018

"I was initially diagnosed with simple but very serious depression. My psychiatrist tried numerous SSRI and SNRI with no impact on my depression and each of these types of drugs caused a severe anxiety disorder to manifest itself. I did extensive research on my own and found that for some people, gabapentin works for depression. I suggested this to my doctor and he was open to it. At first he started me on a very low dose of 300 mg daily. This had zero impact. We began titrating up until my current dose of 800 msg 3x daily. He was initially resistant to prescribe this dose of gabapentin but I really pushed to try this high dose. Lo and behold, gabapentin at this dose has made a MAJOR difference on my depression. The only warning I would give is that if I miss even 24 hours of my daily dose of gabapentin, my depression immediately begins to return and if I miss two days, I’m a total mess."

• Drew14-
• July 19, 2015

"I have struggled for 4 years with anxiety and depression. The docs doped me up on benzos since no Antidepressanh would work. I finally had a break down and been off work 3 1/2 months. Gabapentin has changed me around in a day. I'm slowly increasing my dose to 1800mg. Remeron has helped work well on the depression and sleep and lack of appetite. Plus my GI issue.. The combo works for me."

• Mytee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2018

"I have been on antidepressants, benzos and atypical antipsychotic medication for severe depression, insomnia, and PTSD, along with agoraphobia. This is the only medication that has worked for me. I can finally sleep now, I have less anxiety, am calmer and no longer afraid to leave my home. Better than any benzo. Would highly recommend this medication. I take 1200 to 1500mg at night for sleep and it works throughout the next day."

• KCtLee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2018

"I have been off and on with this drug since I was diagnosed with BP disorder at 19 now 37 and many other drugs that failed I am back on 800mg 3 times daily as well as Prozac 25 mg twice daily and for sleep prazosin 2 mgs at bed for sleep. After about 2 or 3 days I have noticed a difference and my mental state. I was elated when my new doctor prescribed it again to me I tried so many other drugs that failed and some had me contemplating suicide. Keep in mind that Gabapentin isn’t going to benefit everyone but it will work for some of us best of luck guys"

• Anony...
• November 9, 2023

"I've had crystal clear but moderate Bipolar I for 50 years, and I'm 84 now, so I've increased very slowly, both Lamictal and Gabapentin, because I read that they are synergistic and because both have good reviews for bipolar. Some patients nearly died. However, you know what? I think they either went too fast or would have died anyway. I'd bite off a bit and see if I was dying! If nothing happened, I'd take another. If I had the start of a side effect, I'd wait till that calmed down to increase. It's been a month today; no side effects are left, and who would know I'm bipolar anything! I'm on the minimum dosage for both! Happy, normal!"

• Christy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2014

"I have been unable to tolerate any if the other mood stabilizers I have been on. Gabapentin 900 mg daily was my initial dosage and I felt relief from my severe anxiety and irritability for the first couple days, then it subsided and only helped calm it down somewhat. I just saw doc today & it's going up to 1800 mg daily. Hopefully I can feel more normal again."

• Seeki...
• February 19, 2011

Neurontin (gabapentin) "I have been taking Neurontin at 1800-2100 mg/day after a nightmare trial on Seroquel. It felt like I was jettisoned up out of a deep, dark hole. Everyone comments on how I am myself again, and I agree. It also helps with nerve pain, sleep, and definitely stabilized my moods. I have only gained 3 pounds, and I attribute that more to the fact I am eating again at all (don't eat when cycling). This medicine is easily metabolized and has few drug interactions. I am grateful that my doctor recommended it, as well as the Cleveland Clinic. It has been around since 1998, so I think we are good to go."

• Tommy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2021

"I was prescribed Gabapentin for immobilizing pain with osteoarthritis in my lumbar. This was given just to ease the pain before I have ablation therapy. Within the first 3-4 days I noticed the pain lifting I can still feel it but I can actually do more around the house and in general without feeling like I can't handle it anymore. But then I started noticing my mood and concentration getting better and a big mood lift. I have bipolar 1 in fact I'm on disability just for that so far but none of the meds I've tried have done real great. It's only the first week with Gabapentin but I think it just may be my cure all med. Less pain=better mood that is obvious but I feel this doing so much more. I'm so glad my Dr. prescribed it. It has been almost 5 years since I was diagnosed and I've had multiple hospital stays. I'm really hoping this med keeps up the good work and keep me on my own two feet."

• Walking...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 9, 2017

"I have had bi-polar disorder for 38 years. I have tried several medications that I consider myself a "walking pharmacy." When Gabapentin was added to my other medications, it was like night and day. My psychiatrist said Gabapentin is not toxic to the liver...that was good news. I am on a 3000 mg. per day. Gabapentin makes me sane and stable, I'm less irritable, I'm focused and motivated. I feel no side effects with Gabapentin. In addition to therapy, Gabapentin helps me manage symtoms of bipolar disease well...it calms the raging "tsunami" in my head, Nevertheless, I am still struggling with feelings of hopelessness and guilt. I severe memory loss, and a low depakote level in my blood"

• Kim
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2018

"I was taking neurontin for other illnesses. I was trying to cuts down or eliminate some meds. So I stopped neurontin for a month. Among other things I was feeling kinda blue. A friend told me she was put on neurontin for as a mood stabilizer. Then it occurred to me the connection between my mood ,anxiety and the use of neurontin. IT CLICKED! Within a few days of restarting it my mood improved because I was feeling less anxiety or vice versa. I'm gonna leave my med regime up to my doctors now. "

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2023

"Gabapentin is marvelous for nerves, clear as a bell... but I guess not for everyone? I used to have nightmares, every night, all night. Now they start 8 hours after I took 300 mg. G. I could never drink coffee, and, being nervously exhausted for decades, I actually dreamed of coffee that someone didn't buy (so in the dream, I'd take over the grocery shopping)! Now I can drink more coffee than I'd ever want. Be careful though! If you take a bit too much you can get extremely constipated, fall, and I forget what else; but I'm at my limit with 300 mgs x 3 times a day."

• Anonymous
• March 11, 2017

"I have Multiple Sclerosis and have suffered from atrocious nerve pain in my back and legs that severely impaired my functioning and quality of life. My neurologist prescribed Gabapentin for the pain. I was skeptical that anything could help. I am on 400 mg a day right now, taken in 100mg 4x a day. I have been on it for about 2 weeks. I am already experiencing days of almost NO pain. A GODSEND. Interestingly, I am also rapid cycling Bipolar, for which I have been on Abilify. Though the Abilify has helped maintain my judgment, it has done nothing for my manic agitation and depression. I had NO IDEA this was also used as a mood stabilizer or I would have tried it sooner. In just 2 weeks, I feel even keeled and an inner serenity. Love this med!"

• tklim
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2019

"Just need to express this observation. The info provided by FDA, for almost everything, is a mile long. Including so many adverse effects, some even duplicated, I can't discern the real issues to be watchful. At any rate, Gabapentin has been helpful to me for many symptoms, from mood stabilizer, chronic pain, & essential tremors. The dosage varied, however, I never experienced any concerns due to adverse effects. A positive response, and cross symptomatic issues. Has been helpful for all aforementioned issues, with Little to no adverse issues."