Gabapentin for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 5)

• Liz...
• December 5, 2015

"Was prescribed this med years ago for anxiety. I take 300 mg three times per day, morning, noon, and night. The doctor is about to up the dose a bit because I've been on the same dose for so long, and sometimes I get extra anxious or can't sleep, so I asked if I could have the option to take an extra when I need it. This medication is amazing... I can't say enough about it to be honest. It has helped me so much live my life without that constant nagging anxiety, social awkwardness, and it helps regulate my moods as well!"

• Bun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2012

"After decades of battling post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, I finally have found a medication that helps to calm the revved feeling I constantly battle. It is not completely gone, but I feel as if I can breathe again. The tightness in my chest has reduced, and my upper back no longer hurts because I can relax my shoulders. It is as if someone has loosened their grip on a rubber band! Best of all, self-help techniques, like relaxation, now work! Gabapentin has helped me to feel like I have a fighting chance against anxiety."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 22, 2019

"This medication gabapentin has been AMAZING for my panic disorder. Within two days of starting gabapentin 300mg x 3 daily, I saw incredible improvement. I have had my middle-of-the-day dosage upped to 900mg only because that is when I experience the most anxiety. The only downfall is withdrawal symptoms. I went a couple of days without due to not being able to get my prescription filled, and the withdrawal was awful. Shaking, chills, confusion, etc. If you do choose to get off the medication, follow your doctor's directions and taper off gradually."

• Nad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2016

"This medication is hopefully going to replace the clonazepam that I am currently taking. I have only been taking it for a week, but I have already felt some changes. My mood is happier, my anxiety is relieved. I feel my energy has improved (sometimes a little too much), I get pretty chatty, and when I have a few things to do, I have a tough time concentrating on just one and I find myself kind of bouncing around if that makes sense. I have always been that way, it seems like the meds have intensified it. I sometimes have a little trouble gathering my thoughts. The dose in the morning sometimes makes me sleepy, so then I just drink like 2 red bulls and a monster and I'm good. ,) Totally kidding!!! I don't drink caffeine. By the way, I am taking 300 mg x3."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

"I just started Gabapentin 600mg per day. Not sure if the dosage is low but not experiencing the relief I expected. I don't feel dizzy or nauseous like other medications but I still need my Klonopin to ease the panic attacks. I look forward to this new medication. I'll keep you updated in the near future. By the way, the optimal dose for anxiety is 900 to 1,800mg. But if a lower dose helps you then stick with it. Good Luck to everyone. I hope you find relief from anxiety."

• lin...
• March 21, 2013

"I just started this medication yesterday. I am taking it for anxiety, insomnia, neuropathy. I was relying heavily on benzodiazepines to curb extreme, constant anxiety accompanied by constant low-level pain. It's been 24 hours and so far it's like a miracle. I don't feel the need for Klonopin or ibuprofen. If it stays like this, I'll be very happy."

• Sco...
• February 10, 2015

"Have tried every antidepressant on the planet, not working for anxiety. My doc gave me gabapentin 300mg twice a day, no help. I tried by mistake (long story) 600mg at once and it works! I discovered it works for about 6 hours, so now I take 600mg twice a day. That gets me through the day. I pray it keeps working."

• Sop...
• October 14, 2015

"Gabapentin has been a miracle drug for me! I first started it 3 years ago for restless leg syndrome (which felt like painful electric shocks deep inside my legs). It worked perfectly. I took 300 mg an hour before bed. About a year ago, I started having hot flashes (I'm 52). Instead of HRT, my doctor increased my dose to 600 mg a day, in divided doses, and my hot flashes are much better. Then, 6 months ago, I became the target of a bully in the workplace and my anxiety soared! I found it nearly impossible to concentrate, and it was increasingly difficult to function at all! After increasing my dose to 600 mg three times a day, I am able to breeze through my workday, and I'm no longer intimidated by the bully!"

• Sal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

"Amazing drug for anxiety, especially social anxiety. Whenever I take gabapentin, I'm able to go out and socialize without problems. I've been taking this for 6 years. I never had any luck with any other drug, and I've tried so many. The only side effect I get with gabapentin is if you don't take it consistently, you will get really depressed and angry. At least I do."

• Sur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2017

"I had a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2006. Since then, we have tried multiple medications to control anger: Depakote, Topamax, Klonopin, Zoloft, etc. None of them worked. I have been in rages to where I don't want to be around anyone or talk. It's been 10 years now, and I happened to go to a doctor in a small town and told her everything about my anger, etc. She prescribed Gabapentin along with Cymbalta, and I have felt the greatest change. I go outdoors, hike, fish, and feel like I am living again. Still, I will have my bad days, but this medicine I highly recommend to people who suffer from anger/irritability. I completely understand that we are all different, and medicines work differently. I truly hope the best for you reading this."

• Zxv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2017

"I have been battling severe anxiety and PTSD since I was a child. I am 43 years old. I have tried a vast majority of medications only to find out I don't react well to the majority. I have recently been hospitalized twice in the last two years due to an allergic reaction to benzodiazepines Klonopin and Ativan. Instead of decreasing my anxiety, it increased it to the point I was having suicidal ideations. I also endured extreme memory loss while on the benzodiazepines. My doctor prescribed me Neurontin, and a transformation occurred. I shed the anxiety and the depression and negative thoughts of doom. I have my life back!! I can live with side effects, I love being able to leave my house!"

• Duf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2013

"Thank God for this medication! After a few major life changes I recently went through, I developed an anxiety disorder on top of frequent panic attacks. After trying a few medicines, my PCP put me on a Xanax regimen. BAD IDEA! Within 2 1/2 months, I was up to 4-5mg/day! I got sick of it and went to a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. After being appalled that I was prescribed that much Xanax, she put me on a Gabapentin regimen. 100mg 3x a day for one week, then 200mg 3x a day for my second week. Then a follow-up. I just started my second week and I'm already taking less than half of the Xanax I was needing. She said within a month, I'll be off the Xanax. I feel great all day. I don't even feel like I need the Xanax."

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

"On gabapentin 1 month now. 300 mg 3 times a day, off label for anxiety. So many side effects! Blurred and double vision, falling, memory gaps, diarrhea, way too hungry, 12-hour sleeps, ears ringing, and now hands and feet tingling and numb. Horrible! Dropped to two doses a day 10 days ago. Felt better but the tingling had started last 4 days. Dropped to one dose as of yesterday and going to stop altogether in a couple of days. Only been a month so not worried about withdrawal, and it’s been gradual enough. Yes, it knocked out anxiety, but the side effects aren’t worth it."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2012

Gabapentin "I guess it helps with the anxiety. It affects my memory horribly. I can't think of simple words, I miss exits on the freeway, I forget where I am going, etc. It makes me nauseous and gives me diarrhea. Just when I am starting to feel better, it is time to take it again. I take 100mg 3 times a day. I have only been on it a couple of weeks, so I keep hoping the side effects will go away. I still get anxious when I am faced with my main stressor, but it is not as severe (not the full-blown panic attack), just the pain in my stomach, choking in my throat, feeling like my heart is pounding in my head, chest, etc., so it does help some."

• ahf...
• September 24, 2013

"I have been experiencing severe anxiety and depression as a result of a job loss, and this medication has been amazing. I was unable to function until I began taking this medication. It has truly been very helpful and has helped to lower my anxiety and depression."

• Cou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2019

"This definitely helps my social anxiety. Sometimes I don't want to shut up! (lol) However, I don't believe that this will help people with SEVERE anxiety and depression. Antidepressants would probably work better. I think Gabapentin is more for people who have social anxiety disorder, at least through my experience. It also helps me with my alcohol cravings. My psychiatrist in rehab prescribed me Gabapentin 2 years ago and I've been on it ever since. I take 600-900 mg a day."

• Lee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2024

"Gabapentin has been a godsend for my lifelong anxiety disorder and panic attacks. I used to have constant pain in my chest, rapid heartbeat, and a sense of being over-adrenalized from anxiety, and frequent panic attacks. These all went away with gabapentin, no other psychotropic medication worked. Sometimes I almost get the sense physical anxiety symptoms are developing in my body, but they fizzle out and wash over me before they take hold, it’s like I can take a breath and know they’ll fade away. It’s lovely. I can’t recommend it enough. 300 mg a day keeps me calm and in check."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2016

"I am on meds for depression and they're working. Thank God. Anxiety is an issue, so my psychiatrist prescribed gabapentin, 300mg. The suggested dosage is one, 4x per day. I don't do that but instead take it when I'm feeling anxious and it works like a charm. Plus it helps me fall and stay asleep. Am hungrier but I can control that. Great medication."

• Mit...
• December 12, 2018

"My doctor suggested I get off Klonopin and he put me on gabapentin. It has helped tremendously with anxiety before bedtime. The best way I can describe it is I suddenly feel calm and dreamy and like I can turn my mind off and finally stop overthinking. Much in the way a benzodiazepine would make me feel, but without feeling too dizzy or like I'm losing my memory. Another thing it has helped with is to slow down my drinking. I used to drink before bedtime to help me fall asleep (which has its side effects, but I felt it was better than tossing and turning all night)... The gabapentin actually turns off that craving somehow and I don't desire any sort of drink before bed. I also somehow quit smoking. The one thing I can tell you gabapentin does NOT work with are things like panic attacks. Taking gabapentin during a panic attack will probably do nothing, in comparison to a benzodiazepine. It will reduce anxiety in a more general sense though."

• Smo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2023

"Magic Anxiety medicine helps quell my severe anxiety, I'm on Klonopin 2x a day too and it's the best thing for anxiety that isn't a benzo I've tried. I've tried Clonidine, Buspar, Vistaril, and Gabapentin beats those choices by far."

• Joh...
• July 3, 2015

"Following surgery for prostate cancer and 3 months later, the possibility of duodenal cancer (biopsy tested negative), however, surgery was recommended. I was having severe anxiety and panic attacks. This lasted 3 1/2 years, during which I tried numerous SSRIs and SNRIs, all with no effect. In fact, it made it worse, for example, suicidal ideation, greater bouts of anxiety, headaches, diarrhea. Ativan did help significantly, but all the negativity started to raise my anxiety just taking it. I finally just took it despite all this negativity. Thankfully, my pDoc continued my prescription, and I was able to live a better quality of life. I was then asked to try an 'off-label' medication, Gabapentin. After 2 weeks, it did wonders!! Highly recommend!!"

• mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2024

"It was hard to pick what this is helping me with because it's helping me with so much. Anxiety, akathisia from antipsychotics, insomnia, withdrawal from a bipolar medication. I was struggling so much with all these issues and gabapentin is calming all of it. I take 300mg per night. I'm a little foggy-headed but I'll take this any day of the week over what I was suffering with."

• Arg...
• July 12, 2016

"After being on so many medications for a non-clear mental disorder...perhaps bipolar or ADHD...or a mix of everything, I was addicted to clonazepam, the worst medication I've ever been on, and I was on it for 10 years. I've also been on all depression medications...but none worked. I was on Strattera for ADHD, and it was horrible...didn't work. I was on Trileptal, and it's a heavy medication. I found that in a high dose, perhaps 1200mg of gabapentin, I found some real relief...relief in anxiety and relief in some chronic pains after some surgeries. Between gabapentin and some Unisom, I found relief...I don't want to touch clonazepam or any benzodiazepine ever again. Be careful with those medications, they can destroy you."

• LaS...
• February 24, 2013

"I was prescribed Gabapentin for herniated disks & nerve damage. I'm amazed at how it's helped me with hot flashes & mood swings. I have been miserable for years, hormone therapy didn't work, and I was just plain horrible to be around. I couldn't stand myself, how could anyone else? Now I'm balanced mentally. I don't overreact, and I don't break out in a sweat the moment my head hits the pillow, so I'm getting a good night's sleep. When I read it was used for seizures, I was afraid to take it, fearing it would cause me to have seizures, but that hasn't happened, and I've been taking it for 6 months. It's been a positive, life-changing experience for me and everyone else who knows me. I only wish I'd been prescribed it sooner. I'm 61."

• RNB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2016

"As like so many others have posted, I too have had major depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. I've been on every med imaginable for these diagnoses and they all have stopped working. My current regimen is Cymbalta 90mg bid and Zyprexa 5mg at bedtime. I now have been taking gabapentin 400mg tid. (I'm also a recovering opiate addict.) Anyways, the gabapentin seems to give me a pleasant type of calmness. I am saying tons of prayers that this is the missing piece for me. I'll try anything to get my life back. Anything."