Hi,
my Dr just starting giving me Gabapentin, for nighttime neck & back pain.
It somehow seems to work the next day. If I miss a dose, I can really tell. Also, I just ran out of Xanax XR. (4 days early). Can't get it till then. So, I read people are taking it during the day for anxiety. Is it safe and effective to do so? I would really appreciate people taking it during the day, and does it help with Anxiety? Thanks so much. djt.
My Dr just started me 600 mg Gabapentin at night, will it help if taken during the day for anxiety?
Question posted by djmedjyou33 on 10 Feb 2013
Last updated on 14 November 2018
4 Answers
Ros 2
13 Nov 2018
Hello djmedjyou33, Gabapentin is designed for nerve pain, not anxiety! What dosage of Xanax are you on? As far as Xanax is concerned maybe your pharmacist can give you a few till he can contact your doctor. Otherwise, call him with your concern!
Take care & be well
whoamitoday
13 Nov 2018
Gabapentin is being tested for all sorts of Mental Illness’s. It works great for my anxiety. I am prescribed it for Mood Swings! I am Bipolar 1.
Apegrape92
13 Nov 2018
Everyone is different, it makes me drowsy so if it makes you drowsy I would not take it during the day unless you want to just be drowsy all day, but I have too much to do in the daytime to take something that makes me tired. I just take it at night for my pain,insomnia, and ADHD. It really helps me I take two 300mg pills a night it works great. If it's not working well enough for you, try asking your doc to up the dosage. Or take it in the daytime if it doesn't make you drowsy you should be fine. But you should still ask your doctor before changing the way you take your medication. Hope this helped.
PoisonAlice
14 Feb 2013
I actually take all my gabapentin doses during the day because if I take it too close to bedtime it keeps me awake all night (go figure!). I take it for neurological pain and symptoms, but when I went off of the anti-depressant I'd taken for years for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder (Lexapro), I noticed that even after months, and even a year and more, my anxiety and panic attacks never returned to pre-medication levels, and I attribute it to being on the gabapentin, as I'd had an increase in my dosage around the same time I went off the Lexapro (which I did cold-turkey, which I had no problem with personally, even after being on it for years, but I don't recommend others doing as it can cause withdrawal syndrome). Sometimes drugs like gabapentin (neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are used off-label for mood disorders, and are also sometimes useful for anxiety.
I suggest speaking with your doctor who prescribes your gabapentin about taking daytime doses too (perhaps small ones spread throughout the day with the biggest dose at bedtime) to see if it has a positive effect on your anxiety when taken during the day.
whoamitoday
13 Nov 2018
I’ve read it’s best to take Gabapentin in the evening. Check out Psych.com.
whitefish
15 Nov 2018
I am prescribed gabapentin 3 times a day... 600/600/900 for peripheral neuropathy pain. I see no difference between daytime dosages and evening. Does a fair job controlling the pain. The only other option would be Lyrica, which I had a reaction to. Happy days ahead everyone :)
Tee6759
10 Feb 2013
Hi, DJ and welcome to DC! All I can offer is my own personal experiences. Im not a medical professional. We have many members here who are and will gladly help you!
I currently take 600mg 3x a day. It is very helpful for me. As for Xanax, I use it mainly for anxiety and insomnia. If anxiety hits, I will take 0.5mg to 1mg. This works good for me, BUT! Remember, what works for one person may not work the same for another! I dont take the XR version and you dont mention what the milligrams are that you take. Some of our med pros here might have a better answer for you! Have a great one!
Seeking peace,
Tee
Related topics
xanax, xanax xr, anxiety, pain, panic disorder, back pain, gabapentin
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