Gabapentin for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Ter...
• 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."

• Jhu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2019

"Bipolar 1, with severe anxiety and agoraphobia. I took gabapentin 20 years ago, and it seemed to help. Those were my wild days, and I was hospitalized. My family was convinced by a counselor that I was an alcoholic, which I wasn't, so I was sent off to rehab. The rehab took me 100% off this drug, and the withdrawals were horrible, it was 6 days of hell. Since then, I’ve tried, I think, every drug out there with little help from all but Lamictal and benzodiazepines. About 2 months ago, my psych told me I was so severe he didn’t know what to do. I recommended, let’s try gabapentin, and he agreed to try it. It has been wonderful and has helped me leave the house and cut down on benzos. Currently, I take 300 mg 6 times a day. It’s strange how, when I need to get up and going, it gives me a mild lift with a mellow mood, but when sleep is needed, it puts me down."

• Nic...
• 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 no longer have anxiety. Be well, everybody, keep hope, and you will hear from me again soon. God bless."

• wat...
• 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 clonazepam. I also take Lamictal, Seroquel, and dronabinol and have never been this stable. My rapid cycling has slowed down extremely."

• Kim...
• October 5, 2015

"After years of battling depression, ADHD, PTSD, and severe anxiety, my doctor put me on gabapentin. I was recently diagnosed with mixed bipolar disorder. I have been struggling for over 15 years now with doctors trying me on all kinds of meds. I take Paxil, Klonopin, and clonidine, along with the gabapentin that they just increased to help with my ADHD. I don't want to say it's a miracle medication, but I see the difference already. My thoughts are clearer, and it helps me concentrate better than I ever have. I wish one of the many doctors 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."

• chr...
• October 19, 2014

"Neurontin has been a lifesaver for me. I've been taking it for 8 years since the 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 that I do."

• 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 my life. I eat normally and also I am calmer. Also, I use Depakote and Effexor, a little dose of Wellbutrin, and Seroquel. I have very mild mood changes now."

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2011

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."

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

"I was initially diagnosed with simple but very serious depression. My psychiatrist tried numerous SSRIs and SNRIs 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 mg 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 in 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."

• And...
• February 11, 2015

"After taking Lamictal (250 mg) for about 8 months to address my highly recurrent depressive episode, I realized I was still feeling agitated, annoyed, worried, anxious, etc. The psychiatrist prescribed a low dose (100-300 mg, 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."

• Myt...
• 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 1500 mg at night for sleep, and it works throughout the next day."

• Dre...
• July 19, 2015

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

• mjg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 22, 2025

"I've been on gabapentin for 10 years now. It helps tremendously with my mood, anxiety, and also my pain in my knee. What I didn't know is if I didn't have it, I would go through severe withdrawal. And when I say severe, I couldn't sleep for 3 days. I sweated tremendously, every muscle and bone in my body hurt. No one told me this when I first was prescribed this, so now I have to take it every day. If I miss one day, the withdrawals hit right away. That's the only complaint I have about gabapentin."

• KCt...
• 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 800 mg 3 times daily, as well as Prozac 25 mg twice daily, and for sleep, prazosin 2 mg at bed for sleep. After about 2 or 3 days, I have noticed a difference in 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."

• JJ9...
• 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."

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

"I have been unable to tolerate any of 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 of days, then it subsided and only helped calm it down somewhat. I just saw the doctor today, and it's going up to 1800 mg daily. Hopefully, I can feel more normal again."

• See...
• February 19, 2011

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 (I 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."

• Vic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2019

"I have had bipolar 1 since 11 years. I used to have discomfort in the posterior part around the vertebrae column with crying spells. Gabapentin did wonders for me. Cured my problem with mood stabilization."

• Tom...
• 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 I, 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 doctor 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 keeps me on my own two feet."

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

"I have had bipolar 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 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 symptoms of bipolar disease well...it calms the raging 'tsunami' in my head. Nevertheless, I am still struggling with feelings of hopelessness and guilt. I suffer memory loss, and a low Depakote level in my blood."

• 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 100 mg 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!"

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

"I was taking Neurontin for other illnesses. I was trying to cut 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 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."

• Ama...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 23, 2024

"I have bipolar disorder. A few years ago, my doctor wanted to put me on a non-addictive anxiety medication and prescribed gabapentin. This drug has saved my sanity and helped my relationships over and over again. When I feel anxious or unstable, I take a dose and within half an hour, I feel normal again. I also take a fixed dose morning and night. I am grateful that this medication exists and I have access to it. I've found that if I take an unnecessary dose, as when I am not really anxious, it makes me drowsy. Otherwise, it's a lifesaver."

• tkl...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 2, 2019

"Just need to express this observation. The info provided by the 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, and 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."

• Ale...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2024

"Could barely tell I’d taken anything other than being slightly tired and being in a generally pleasant mood for no reason. Good with mood balancing for me and also prevented seizures I’ve suffered from for years. No noticeable reason not to try it. Didn’t feel any bad side effects…"