Gabapentin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Mat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2019

For Anxiety "I'll give gabapentin a 5 because it works insanely well for my neuropathic pain, but for my anxiety, I don't know. I just can't find the right dosage. I've been on everything from 1200 mg to 600 mg. 600 mg worked well for about three months, but suddenly 600 mg stopped working and is now giving me anxiety. I tried to up the dose, but it didn't work. Now I'm trying to lower the dosage, but it also gives me anxiety. I'm tired of not getting the right dose. It is a lot of anxiety, and it feels pretty hopeless. I'm now going to try to taper down slowly to about 300 mg because I see a lot of people that use it for anxiety at that dose. I just want minimal pain and to be calm..."

• Don...
• June 19, 2016

For Anxiety "Awful drug. I was on it for about a year straight, and I could never comprehend anything. Although it did take away my anxiety, it ruined my brain. I couldn't retain information, I was always forgetting and misplacing things. The best thing I did was get off this drug. I swear it made me dumb. I can't even remember words sometimes, and when I was training at work on this medication, I had such a hard time I would forget what was literally just taught to me. Since I've been off of it now for about six months, things have returned back to normal except for my vocabulary and spelling."

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 15, 2017

For Pain "Gabapentin is the best medication I have ever taken. I was put on gabapentin because I've had unexplained upper back pain for two years. It's accompanied by a really annoying tingling sensation under my shoulder blades. I was prescribed 300 mg three times a day. By day two, the pain was 80% better. Day three, it was gone. It was a lifesaver. I've never been happier. And then I had a weird day after a week on it. I have mild depression and anxiety, but I've never had a suicidal thought in my life. There was this sensation that I've never felt before. I called into work. I couldn't move and kept having the thought of downing my pain meds with my bottle of whiskey. I immediately cut out the gabapentin, and that feeling disappeared."

• Vol...
• February 13, 2010

Gabapentin for Fibromyalgia "I have had lumbar and cervical neck surgery. I tried to go without medicine and suffered anxiety/depression and was at times overly ruminating on body symmetry, checking myself for lumps, bumps, and whatever- I guess after the surgeries and being home, I was now switched on to be ever so vigilant to an anxious degree. Well, anyways, I went onto Cymbalta, and that helped greatly with my chemical imbalance that was causing my depression, but I needed a little more to simply be in a relaxed mode. I had tried Lyrica 75 mg, which was fantastic, but the insurance company wanted me to go with gabapentin (Neurontin) 600 mg for cost savings. So far, gabapentin has been very effective in reducing my pain and my anxious responses. Fantastic!"

• Mag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 31, 2019

For Anxiety "I’d been on Gabapentin a few times in the past for anxiety. This time they gave it to me for bipolar?!! I’m struggling with this, taking 2400 mg (top dose) mg/day. My memory is gone. Long-term memory fine, short-term gone. I can’t sit and watch TV without extreme anxiety, getting up every 10 min, crossing and uncrossing legs, squirming. I had to get an excuse from jury duty saying I was unfit. All I can do is wager this time against the last times and remember how hard it was for me to even cook a meal, how it would take me 3 hours. Now I don’t cook at all. I’m too exhausted all the time. But coming off of it, I feel extremely depressed (lay in bed ALL day), unable to sleep, etc. This drug also causes pancreatic cancer, which my father-in-law died from. Help me get off this mess!!!! I’m trapped."

• Sou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2015

For Anxiety "Never thought of reviewing a med, I do this just for Gabapentin being so great. I've tried a lot before: Zoloft, Remeron, all types of benzos. I've kept a very bad opinion on them all, especially SSRIs - damn soul and sex killers. Benzos get addictive in the long run. But Gabapentin works like a charm, literally. Takes the edginess of the days away, most inhibitions and anxiety, gives me the drive to do things and enjoy what I'm doing. I got faithful and... happy (after I almost forgot how it can be constantly felt). Final note: if taken not too often (like once a week), it can be quite recreational in doses around 1200 mg. I usually take about 600-900 daily, but cut off sometimes to get the higher reward days later as tolerance drops."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Luc...
• August 2, 2017

For Anxiety "I've had anxiety since I was a little child, 6 years old to be exact. So over the years (I'm 56 now), I've also developed PTSD, OCD, depression, and recently agoraphobia. Under a former doctor's orders, because I'm such a severe case, I was prescribed 4 mg of Xanax and 4 mg of Klonopin along with 10/325 hydrocodone 5 times a day for severe neck and back pain from bulging discs causing spinal stenosis all throughout from my neck all the way down to my lumbar spine. Already had spinal fusion at L5S1. I ended up overdosing when he added Percocet. I found a new doctor, and he weaned me safely off of everything, and now I'm taking 2400 mg of gabapentin. It has been a miracle. Best med by far for my anxiety. Still need neck surgery, but my anxiety has left the building."

• Luc...
• August 2, 2017

For Anxiety "I've had anxiety since I was a little child, 6 years old to be exact. So over the years (I'm 56 now), I've also developed PTSD, OCD, depression, and recently agoraphobia. Under a former doctor's orders, because I'm such a severe case, I was prescribed 4 mg of Xanax and 4 mg of Klonopin along with 10/325 hydrocodone 5 times a day for severe neck and back pain from bulging discs causing spinal stenosis all throughout from my neck all the way down to my lumbar spine. Already had spinal fusion at L5S1. I ended up overdosing when he added Percocet. I found a new doctor, and he weaned me safely off of everything, and now I'm taking 2400 mg of gabapentin. It has been a miracle. Best med by far for my anxiety. Still need neck surgery, but my anxiety has left the building."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "I began gabapentin 100 mg nightly for nerve symptoms in my middle back after spine surgery. I was hopeful it would help me sleep and end the twitching. The first week I slept but had a headache. The second week I seemed to be adjusting. No more headaches and sleeping well. By the end of the third week my mouth was parched and I was starving in the middle of the night, so I stopped taking it. My appetite returned to normal, and my mouth was no longer dried out. A short time later I experienced sciatica in my right leg, so I tried gabapentin again. It helped the pain in my leg, but after just three days on it, I experienced horrific lumbar pain like I had been hit with a shovel. I discontinued use of gabapentin again. I could only take it as needed at bedtime, 100-200 mg, for sciatica. Taking it during the day was not good for me as it caused me to become anxious after the med left my body. I took gabapentin sporadically for five months."

• Mae...
• March 20, 2016

For Hot Flashes "I am in my 6th year of severe hot flashes. I had at least 20 during the day and one every 15 minutes at night. I couldn't take estrogen because of the risk of stroke. I tried herbal remedies, Paxil, and Lexapro. While on Lexapro, I had anxiety attacks and severe depression for 3 months, being on Lexapro for 2 weeks. It messed with my brain. I regret taking that and was very frustrated that nothing could help with hot flashes. I did some searching on Google and found gabapentin. This is a Godsend! My first night taking it, my hot flashes diminished totally. I take 300 mg x 2: one in the morning and one at night. If I do get a hot flash, it lasts about 10 seconds and is very minimal. I would recommend gabapentin in place of ERT."

• DBG...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2019

For Anxiety "At first, I thought gabapentin was great; it seemed like it was helping with my anxiety, and I had zero urge to drink alcohol for the first time in forever. Only problem is that after a few months, I turned into a ZOMBIE! I felt foggy all the time. I had trouble waking up in the morning and always felt like I had this nasty headache. It got hard for me to remember things; I could have a conversation with someone and not remember what it was about an hour later. I had to stop taking it because it was affecting my work; I was constantly spacing things and forgetting to, y'know, do my job. The withdrawal was BAD. I experienced increased anxiety and a creepy-crawly sensation on my skin for several days. Wish it worked out better for me because the original effects were great."

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2019

For Anxiety "I have been originally on only 300 mg to help me sleep about 3 years ago. It did help a bit. But since then, I've been on about 3200 mg per day the past couple of years. I usually end up taking most of that if I have to go somewhere, like a public place such as a house event, etc. Almost anything, really. It doesn't last nearly as long as it did in the beginning. Now, about 2 hours or slightly more, and it seems done. After that, I start feeling depression and anxiety creep in. I take the other remainder at night, but even that's not enough now to help me sleep. I get zero sleep. Probably an hour per WEEK past many years, actually. Sounds impossible, but it's true. I'm wide awake all night. I have always had that, though, but the anxiety caused by the temporary withdrawal of the Gabapentin doesn't help, I'm sure."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2016

For Anxiety "I personally am a heavier person, I have a lot of anxiety and depression on a daily basis, and it's been this way since I was 14. I'm now 18, and I've been using many different prescriptions for my anxiety and depression, and I've found benzos work well. But recently I was prescribed gabapentin 300 mg 4 times a day, and I found that it does affect your coordination taking this much of a dose, but amazingly took away all my anxiety without any Xanax like I usually take, and it worked even better for my depression. I do feel a buzz, almost as many users report when they first start, which I don't mind as I work from home and enjoy it, but this could be a problem for addiction. Luckily, I'm only using it temporarily and not long term."

• kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2019

For Anxiety "I think it’s helping. Hard to say, as I am on a lot of other meds that are helping me feel better. Either way, I’m not vomiting from anxiety anymore, and I can eat — so it must’ve done something!"

• gli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2014

For Anxiety "I just started Gabapentin 300 mg on Feb 28th and am titrating down off Lexapro. It started making my anxiety go through the roof. I am also on Buspar, Lamictal, and Zoloft. I suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and am in recovery for 5 years from alcoholism. Without medication, my life is unmanageable. So far, I feel great, not sure if it's because I am lowering my Lexapro and will be off this Friday or if it's the Gabapentin. I am hoping this works."

• bir...
• July 23, 2021

For Anxiety "I’ve been on every anti-anxiety medication you could possibly think of. Benzos, barbiturates, Buspar, SSRIs… for 10 years of my life, I took benzos daily, switching between benzos every couple of weeks. I finally got off of them, and shortly thereafter, I was put on Gabapentin. I’m on 600 mg 4x a day, and my anxiety is so well managed that it’s an insane relief. I have tried Gabapentin multiple times in the past with no luck, but it works incredibly now. It helps keep me calm, happy, and also helps with my alcohol cravings. I am on other medications, but I truly feel like Gabapentin has played a vital role in my mental health. I’ve tried to lower the dosage, and it just ends up with me having more anxiety! The combination I’m on right now works miracles, I’m so thankful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2017

For Anxiety "This was a miracle for me! I was taking alprazolam 3-4 times a day for about 4 years. With the crackdown on controlled substances, my PCP decided to wean me off. I have terrible anxiety. SSRIs do not work for me (too many side effects). After reading the reviews of gabapentin, I asked my PCP if we could try this. AMAZING!!! I no longer wake up shaky and anxious, I don't get that 'feeling' I used to get when the alprazolam wore off, and I sleep better than ever! I take 300 mg 3-4 times daily. This truly is a lifesaver for me!"

• cli...
• January 13, 2017

For Pain "I have tested positive for ankylosing spondylitis - causes severe backbone fusing issues. I have been in pain for 2 years. The genetic test only means I could get the disease. Not a guarantee... so... I was on tramadol and various RA anti-inflammatory drugs... yada yada yada -- pain and inflammation all over my body... so today my PCP won't RX me tramadol since my blood didn't show inflammation and my pain level was high. She prescribed Neurontin. I took it 3 hours ago... I can now raise my arms over my head with no pain... thank you, GOD... my ribs and shoulders, back, sternum, and hips were in moderate pain all day. Couldn't sleep well... now I read this blog about GAD and anxiety can be helped also. I have GAD and my anxiety is lower... fingers crossed."

• Abl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

For Pain "Old lower back injury that flares up every few years. New doc prescribed gabapentin, 100 mg, 1 or 2 tablets depending on pain level. Gabapentin made me nauseous, anxious, and totally decreased my ability to think coherently. That was only one pill. I don't know how anyone can function on this. Awful!"

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2016

Gabapentin for Postherpetic Neuralgia "Prescribed for nerve pain following shingles after crippling left-hand side pain that did not respond to standard analgesia. Two unexpected beneficial side effects have occurred. My long-term and almost permanent anxiety (we are talking 35 years) has been greatly reduced. The problem that I had following a transient ischemic attack some five years prior, where my body's idea of the spatial position of my left leg via external stimulus did not agree with my visual perception, and viewing my leg caused a strange spatial readjustment where the leg shifted four inches to the left but, in reality, stayed still. My visual acuity also improved, as if everything was lit by stage lighting."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2018

For Anxiety "This drug changed my life. I have had terrible anxiety my whole life, which was followed by depression. SSRIs had little effect. I finished my degree and actually got a job. For anxiety, you need a higher dose, I started with 100 mg x 3 and worked up to 1800 mg a day, the sweet spot. Few things I will warn others: the withdrawal is pretty bad. I ran out 3 days before refill and begged the pharmacist to refill it 2 days early. As well, sometimes it's difficult to get a good erection. My psychiatrist gave me Wellbutrin to counter that effect. Generic brand warning - Auro Gabapentin is a terrible, low effectiveness. Apo is what I'm on."

• Xox...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2022

For Anxiety "My experience with gabapentin has been pretty good, I am a drug addict who has been clean for 4 years now, and honestly, it has given me my life back. My anxiety since I got off IV meth was so bad I couldn't even leave my house, it was horrible, and it made me feel worthless. My MHMR doctor decided to try me on it, and it has helped me tremendously. I will say this, though: if I run out before I can see my doctor to get a refill, it's horrible! My anxiety is through the roof. I try not to run out, but it's also really hard because I am an addict, and I have a tendency to overtake everything, even over-the-counter PM pills, but I am working on that. I know this drug isn't for everyone, but for me, it's been great."

• Doc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 27, 2014

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I was originally prescribed this medicine because of numbness I had in my feet. I was an alcoholic for about 10 years and had some nerve damage done to my feet. As part of quitting, I sought help for the side effects of new sobriety. This medicine makes the pain from numbness go away almost completely. I can finally wear any type of shoes that I want. I also have an issue with anxiety as my body chemistry had been impacted highly from addiction. This medicine helps me keep a calm and cool head. I take other things such as Atarax and Trazodone, but I notice a big difference if I don't take my Gabapentin. It makes my anxiety stay at a certain level and not escalate into anger and compulsiveness."