Gabapentin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2023

For Insomnia "The psychiatrist prescribed 100 mg of gabapentin for insomnia and social anxiety. Weaning off 50 mg of trazodone down to 25 mg, now at zero. Gabapentin dose upped to 200 mg at night. Tremendous nausea and anxiety 13 days in. The doctor believes the side effects are from trazodone and my own anxiety condition. I’m trusting it will take some time to kick in. For now, the doctor will not prescribe anything to go with it, like Ambien, which I asked for. The doctor believes the nausea and vomiting could be from a gastrointestinal problem. I empathize with everyone struggling. It’s been dreadful. Let’s keep taking care of ourselves!"

• JDo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2016

For Pain "I have shingles. On the 5th day, I had pain so bad I could no longer sleep, a rash on the left side, front and back. I started on an antiviral on the 3rd day, which now at over a week is starting to lessen the symptoms of pain and red rash with blisters. But that gabapentin did not help at all with the pain and caused anxiety and irritation. I asked my doctor's office to take note of it for the manufacturer, but they said they don't do that, that it's up to the manufacturer, which made no sense. If the doctors who prescribe it don't inform the manufacturer, how would they know? The medicine is bad news and didn't work for me at all. Worse than that, it made me feel worse."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2022

For Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "At first, on the starter dose, things looked promising. Nighttime movements didn’t change, but at least I got to sleep a little more through it. Then, as my dose was upped to the required level (2,700 mg PD), I started to experience horrific side effects: hair was falling out, blurred vision, anxiety, anger to the point my partner called them my “aggressors.” My head was slow all the time, took me time to catch on/up with things when I’m usually very quick. Was a horrific time whilst on gabapentin. I told my GP I wanted off it, and he suggested weaning myself down over a period of a few months; I wasn’t prepared to stay on it any longer than I had to, so I cold-turkeyed off it for 4 days and started to immediately feel better in myself. My partner said it was great to have his real woman back again. Be careful and aware of interactions with lots of drugs, but particularly gabapentin."

• Jer...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2019

For Anxiety "Took them to feel good at first, really helped me. Being in recovery, it got me through a lot of hard times, thinking about getting high on heroin. It pushed me through to stay off dope another day. But recently, I took them one Saturday night as usual, and I started getting these weird jolts and uncontrollable movements. I ultimately ended up having a seizure in the hospital. Now I can’t take them anymore, they make me feel weird and uncomfortable to the point where it puts me in an anxiety attack. I do not recommend them for anyone, horrible drug used for the wrong reasons. One 300 mg a day is it, nothing more. Just my experience."

• far...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I have been drinking at least a bottle of wine every day for the past 4 years, I couldn't stop drinking with AA or Baclofen. Then I heard of Gabapentin since I suffer from GAD and mood swings. I first tried 300 mg tid, my anxiety reduced significantly, and I felt very positive for the first time in 7 years. But I didn't know that it was also used for AUD, I actually still drank when I was on Gabapentin because every time I feel TOO good, I need a drink. Several weeks later, I reduced my dose to 100 mg tid, and this dose eliminated all the cravings I have for alcohol and cigarettes. I was surprised and did my research on Google, then I found out it is also used for AUD. But for me, it works better with lower doses, 100 mg 3 times a day works better than 300 mg 3 times a day."

• man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2022

For Anxiety "I have been prescribed gabapentin for pain for many years. As far as pain relief is concerned, I would give it a 6 out of 10, not shining, but with chronic knee pain, I take what I can get. I discovered along the way that when it comes to relieving, it's 8 out of 10, at least where I am concerned. The biggest negative is it is a little addictive. I have stopped from time to time, and the bad part is you get anxiety, but it will pass if you tough it out. Just FYI, I am still taking gabapentin, I just weaned off at one time to prove to myself I could do it if I needed to, and it ain't hard. But the most beautiful thing about gabapentin is it does not cause constipation."

• Gav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Tried this medication twice, hoping it would help. Could not take the side effects: frequent urination, anxiety, depression, swollen glands, chest congestion, sweating and chills, and acne. Gave it 1 month and had to stop once I realized the connection to my unusual symptoms and the medication's side effects."

• ftn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2018

For Anxiety "I tried this several years ago. 300 mg, then 600 mg, then 900 mg a day in divided doses. It helps with nerve pain, but I had horrible dreams that led to anxiety, which I was already having problems with, so it got worse. The dreams became so vivid I started wondering if they were dreams or actually happened and I just thought they were a dream. I'm not bipolar, don't suffer from clinical depression, but do have GAD from chronic pain. Maybe I can try it again at lower doses, say start at 100 mg once a day, then twice, then three times. I'm on clonazepam now, 2 mg X 2 a day for atypical facial neuralgia and anxiety due to a crushed trigeminal nerve and other pain issues including arthritis. I have tried every medical pain option out there. Clonazepam works, but I am afraid it will lose its potency over time. I run, lift weights, cycle, watch my diet, and am in excellent general health at 60+."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Gabapentin has been a lifesaver for me, truly. I suffer from chronic lower back pain caused by degenerative disk disease, sciatica, and herniated disks. I couldn’t walk for a week because my back hurt so much, and nothing was working at all. I finally was able to get gabapentin, and within hours, I was a brand new person. Walking just fine now. I don’t want to live without it. It also has helped with my mood and anxiety! 10/10 recommend!"

• gim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 24, 2013

For Epilepsy "I've been on this medicine for ten years now and have my seizures under control with 1200 mg a day. A neurologist placed me on it after trying Dilantin and Depakote. I didn't realize it could be helping my anxiety, restless legs, and migraines. I had terrible headaches before I was on gabapentin and now have all these things under control. I did gain 30 lbs when we added an antidepressant."

• Sgr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2018

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Was on ropinirole, had severe anxiety, ended up in the hospital, put on 600 mg gabapentin. No problems, makes you very sleepy, so helps you sleep, but be careful if you get up to use the bathroom. Get up slowly. Also drinking apple cider vinegar with honey, read it helps RLS."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "On 900 mg a day for neuropathy, has cut the pain down and helped my schizophrenia and rapid cycling bipolar drastically as a side effect! Much less anxious too. Really hopeful for the future. I also take tramadol 4x50 mg daily, but these only had a slight effect, no slurred speech or drowsiness so far. Get well soon everyone :-)"

• Jhu...
• February 5, 2016

For Anxiety "My doctor just prescribed this to me today, 300 mg once a day for 2 days, and then 2 a day for 2 days, and then 3 a day thereafter. He said it would make me really tired, as I am also on methadone. But I took the one before I was gonna go to bed, and I cannot sleep at all. I am so anxious and on edge right now. This medication is definitely not for me. I took it a couple of hours ago, and I'm thinking about making myself puke because it's time release, so maybe it's not all in me yet? That is how bad this anxiety is. And since I'm on methadone, I no longer am prescribed Valium. So this really sucks as I don't have anything to take this edge off."

• Amy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine has helped me with my neuropathy. My alcohol cravings, my anxiety, mood swings, sleep. I had been on risperidone, Remeron, Zoloft, Prozac, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin wafers, and many more. This, combined with Cymbalta 30 mg 1 in the morning and 2 at night, Wellbutrin 300 mg 1 in the morning, and Gabapentin 600 mg 3 times daily with counseling and my psychiatrist, has changed my life. I am 39 and have been taking meds since I was 15. Finally, something works. I almost gave up, but I am glad I didn't. Grateful lady."

• waw...
• July 13, 2019

For Anxiety "If there is one word to describe this drug, it would be 'HORRIBLE'! I am taking 100 mg of this gabapentin poison twice a day, and the side effects are not like anything that I have EVER experienced before. Insomnia, anxiety, visual disturbances, and nightmares when I do sleep. I just stay in my room on the bed night and day. Concentration loss and have lost all interest in everything. I attempted to stop taking it, and the withdrawal started 14 hours after my last dose. When I call the DR, he tells me these symptoms are not from the poison. WHAT! They started a few days after I started it. Somehow, some way, I must stop this vile substance."

• Sol...
• January 26, 2016

For Neuropathic Pain "I was prescribed Neurontin to block the pain in my lower back due to bulging and deteriorated discs. The Neurontin effectively reduced the pain in my back; however, the mental side effects were not worth the pain reduction. I have been previously diagnosed with anxiety and depression, but those illnesses were under control with an antidepressant. However, once I started using Neurontin, my depression and anxiety came back with a vengeance. I had an anxiety attack and could not control my mood. I was tapered off of the drug immediately, and I was back to my old self. Please talk to your doctor prior to taking this medicine if you have ever had depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts."

• blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "Gabapentin was prescribed to me for pelvic nerve pain. I tried it as needed for the first 6 months, and all it did was put me to sleep, and the nerve pain would come back. I decided in May to try taking Gabapentin every day to see if it helped me. I took 600-800 mg every day for 2 or 3 weeks. Realized again that it wasn't doing anything for my pain, just making me sort of 'high.' Decided to stop taking it and thought I could just stop. BIG MISTAKE. I was in a grocery store and thought I was going to have a 'meltdown,' going to cry and freak out for no reason. Got to my car and took 300 mg and felt a lot better. Told the doctor, and the doctor said to take 300 mg for a week, then 200 mg for 1 week, then 100 mg. I am now taking 100 mg and sometimes 200 mg. I am having lots of anxiety and it seems like my heart is racing. I am shocked this is happening to me for taking it for such a short time. I have also had stomach aches. Only positive is constipation is gone that I had from high doses."

• Max...
• March 4, 2022

For Pain "I have been on gabapentin for 10 years now, and the side effects have changed over the years. I am now dealing with 32 side effects from the long list that I am reading here. The most severe is inability to concentrate and depression. Before I began this medication, I was a very creative, assertive, social, confident go-getter! I was in excruciating pain, but I was determined to succeed. Since I have been on this drug, I have lost interest in my goals and once dreams. I have trouble remembering certain things. I get brain fog. I have been driving, turned a corner, and did not remember turning. Yes, I have constant pounding and ringing in my right ear. My eyes constantly water. I was taking 800 mg 3 times daily. I grit my teeth, I cannot sleep more than 3 hours at a time at night. I have severe anxiety, I do not trust people and sometimes think that they are against me in some way. Dry mouth, jerking movements, I count my fingers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. As of today, I am weaning myself off of this poison!"

• pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 11, 2018

For Anxiety "Been on Gabapentin the past couple of years for anxiety and social phobia. Recently, increased to 300 mg three times per day. I've read everywhere about the withdrawal symptoms of it. It scares me a lot! I have been trying to take it every other day, but on the following day after, I really do feel depressed, and anxiety is so bad I can't leave my house. A day later it lifts, and I start all over again. Does anyone else do it this way? I really am hesitant about taking it every day and having to one day perhaps face serious consequences of quitting it."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2009

For Migraine "My 11-year-old was on Neurontin for 2 years for her migraines. A few months ago, the doctor needed to up her dosage to 600 mg/day because her weight had changed and she was getting more migraines. She ended up with terrible side effects: crying, anxious, paranoid, restless, overreacting, mood swings. We have just weaned her off of it... not sure what we'll try next."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2009

For Migraine "My 11-year-old was on Neurontin for 2 years for her migraines. A few months ago, the doctor needed to up her dosage to 600 mg/day because her weight had changed and she was getting more migraines. She ended up with terrible side effects: crying, anxious, paranoid, restless, overreacting, mood swings. We have just weaned her off of it... not sure what we'll try next."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2011

For Epilepsy "I am 30 years old, and I have epilepsy. I just came off of Tegretol and am only on gabapentin after asking my neurologist if I could, please. At single doses of 600 mg three times a day, I feel like my anxiety goes away, but my head can feel groggy. I actually have panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and depression as a result of epilepsy. I do like gabapentin if it prevents seizures. Last night I felt nuts and had racing thoughts. Maybe I need to up my doses to 1200 mg at night instead of 600 mg. I do sleep very well once I do crash. It can make me calmer and hungry. I couldn't survive, literally, without it. I know I would have seizures and panic attacks. Side effects: very few compared to Tegretol."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2022

For Insomnia "Twelve years ago, my grandpa died, and that was a huge trigger for me. I started to have anxiety and later insomnia and depression. I tried many meds and was also addicted and created a tolerance. I have also bipolar type 2 and am taking lamotrigine in the morning. Today, I begged my doctor to prescribe me GABA after many good reviews here. He said that I will not sleep and was very skeptical. :( But I hope it’s not true. Even if it will need a bit of time to find the right dosing, I will sleep one day. Fingers crossed! Does somebody have the same experience? Would be helpful!"

• Bec...
• March 25, 2018

For Anxiety "I suffer from anxiety and was prescribed this versus my previous medication of Lexapro, which didn’t work for me at all. Within two days of taking this new medication, gabapentin, I was almost in tears because of how spacey and uncomfortable I was. I was prescribed only 100 mg to take once per night. I woke up the next morning feeling extremely spaced out, and I felt stoned even though I wasn’t. I couldn’t process my thoughts correctly, I was forgetting how to do simple tasks and even losing short-term memory when someone asked me to do job-related tasks. I felt my eyes were very sleepy even though I had plenty of rest. While this helped ease my anxiety, I noticed I was paranoid and noticed everything around me amplified. I was only on this medication for two days, but that’s all I needed to make me realize this wasn’t helping me whatsoever."

• Gen...
• July 6, 2010

Gabapentin for Fibromyalgia "So far, this medicine seems to be working. I'm only up to 100 mgs x 3 four times a day, but I'm noticing some results. It gives me some mild anxiety, but nothing some Klonopin won't clear up. I wish it did a better job for the pain, but hopefully when I titrate the dose up, I'll be getting more relief, better sleep, and have more energy during the day."