Gabapentin and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For Anxiety "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."

• mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 22, 2013

For Pain "Reduces sciatic pain down my legs very well. Also loosens up some of the stiffness. Not very effective for the pain in my lower back at the curve of the spine. Easy to use with no side effects for me except sometimes drowsiness."

• hyb...
• October 30, 2011

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I have been taking gabapentin for years. Started after stopped drinking. Had a recent 3 mos alcoholic relapse and continued taking gabapentin during and after. Have been surprised by how easy the alcohol withdrawal has been. Am also taking Antabuse to avoid a slip but I don't think this is supposed to help reduce the desire to drink. Anyway, the biggest reason I wanted to post is that I want to caution anyone who tries to get off gabapentin to do so very slowly like maybe reduce by 100 mg or 10% per week, whichever is less. I have had horrible anxiety, shivers, sweats, racing thoughts, sleeplessness, pain and more trying to get off it."

• Anx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2019

For Anxiety "I took 300 mg of gabapentin one time for panic attacks and anxiety. My psychiatrist prescribes this to use when anxious symptoms become severe. After several hours, I do feel that it helped my anxiety briefly, however, I became very drowsy. Once I fell asleep, I slept very well-better than most nights. I did wake up around 3 am with tremors and hot flashes. My anxiety was full-blown, and I debated whether to take a Xanax to calm myself down because it was so severe. It made me feel very dizzy, hot, anxious, and made my muscles tense. The rest of the morning, I had increased anxiety compared to normal. I will not be taking it again. Many reviews state it helped people, and I wish I could have been so lucky."

• Bei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I love gabapentin! I take 600 - 1200 mg a day and I am happy again. I was on other medicines plus Celexa for depression but still had horrible anxiety and crazy mood swings. I now take my gabapentin and 100 mg of Seroquel and I have no anxiety and I feel better overall. I am not really sleepy either."

• Lee...
• September 18, 2013

For Insomnia "I've struggled with Restless Leg Syndrome and Insomnia for 14 years. This medication knocked me out! It stopped my legs from jerking and put me to sleep. The only problem is that the first day after I took it, I'd never been so groggy in my life. I could not walk straight and was lethargic all day. The next day the grogginess wasn't as bad and my doc said that that side effect will decrease soon. Other than that, I feel like this is a miracle for restless legs syndrome and insomnia. It's been a 14-year struggle for me, but this is the first time anything has helped."

• dwa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

For Anxiety "I had a nervous breakdown (lots of anxiety and depression), ended up in the ER and was given gabapentin three times 100 mg a day (about 2 months ago). It worked immediately; within an hour of my first dose, I had a big appetite (had lost 10 pounds), a big mood lift, and a boost in energy. The side effects (grogginess and confusion) were gone in less than a week. It worked really well for about a month and then I felt it starting to wear off. My pdoc doesn't believe higher doses will benefit me, so I need to find something else. I agree with others that the effects wear off after a while and bigger doses may be needed, but I really liked it and it worked very well for depression where my other meds (Ativan and propranolol) did not. Even though I feel it's worn off, I am still not as bad as I was (I believe it is still helping somewhat). Overall, it worked well for me, but it may not be a good option if something long-term is needed."

• Kk2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been on Neurontin for 3 months now for anxiety. I started at 100 mg 3x a day and now at 600 mg 3x a day and very happy with that dose. I very rarely have to take my Vistaril. Before taking this my anxiety got so severe that I actually feared planes crashing on top of me every time I heard one go by. I only experienced mild sedation when I started it and it is gone now. No other side effects. It may not work for everyone, but I would definitely recommend giving it a try to anyone who's doctor recommends it!"

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2020

For Neuropathic Pain "I have a spine issue with cervical spinal stenosis and back pain, and having numbness, tingling, and weakness in my arms and hands and in my feet sometimes. The meds are helping but not fully, plus having unwanted side effects such as speaking problems, unsteadiness, drowsiness, and sleeping all morning, so it's difficult to get up. Makes me weak."

• Fre...
• July 27, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Amazing. Have severe fibromyalgia pain as well as chronic cervical spondylosis, following a failed neck surgery. Tried everything, was put on pregabalin but it stopped working & so expensive. Dr. switched to Gabapentin (dirt cheap) at low doses below 600mg just caused sedation did nothing, but at higher doses 900 mg (at night only) my pain melted away from 9 to 1. No longer sedates me but clears brain fog and restores energy and motivation. It's also done wonders for uplifting my depressed mood (a real happy pill). Some insomnia, but I need far less sleep & no longer fatigued. Side effects are some occasional tremors & dizziness, myoclonus, when it's time to re-dose, but nothing bad. A miracle medicine. Great for chronic fatigue."

• Reb...
• July 26, 2019

For Peripheral Neuropathy "If I could give it no stars, I would! This stuff is for the birds! For the last 3 to 4 years, I have been on 300 mg taken 3 times a day, and it is for my peripheral neuropathy. For the first month to 2 months, it helped some with the pain and the stabbing sensations, etc. It didn't take it away but made it bearable, then it stopped working. I kept telling my doctor it wasn't doing anything anymore, it was like I was taking nothing, even if I took it 4 or more times in a day - all they said was, 'Only take it 3 times as prescribed.' Finally, after about 5 years, they gave me a higher milligram dose. Now, for the last 3 months, it's been 600 mg 3 times a day, however, I can't take a full pill. I have to snap them in half and take half in the morning, half in the afternoon, and another half before bed. Anything more and I'm a zombie for 3 days straight, groggy, and can't keep my eyes open. I have cotton mouth, it feels like I'm outside of my body. Overall, it's a very doped-up feeling, all the while dealing with the pain, the stabbing, the shooting pains, etc., etc."

• Ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2014

For Insomnia "Having dealt with the death of a husband, shifts in job responsibilities, grad school, and a child, I was in the midst of massive depression and anxiety. I was on Ambien 10 mg for 8 months, which helped me sleep, but the fear of addiction was always present. I was switched to gabapentin by my neurologist for migraines and taken off Ambien. I thought at first it was useless as I was wired and wide awake, but by the third to fourth day, I noticed I was dreaming again, something I had rarely done in 9 months. I feel much more rested. I had been taking naps anytime I could due to insomnia even on Ambien, and hardly need to now. I do feel somewhat groggy, but I only take it at night, and it is a 600 mg dose."

• LTU...
• August 13, 2011

For Insomnia "I have suffered with insomnia for years and no medications improved my condition until I started using Gabapentin. I have been taking it for 7 days and my quality of sleep has greatly improved. I used to wake up 3-4 times per night and found it hard to fall back asleep. Gabapentin puts me to sleep, and I am enjoying deeper, more restful REM stages. I highly recommend it for this condition. I was prescribed this for chronic pain, and this is a great bonus. Like the other reviewer, it will cause residual grogginess the next day for several hours. Extra caffeine is definitely needed!"

• Pom...
• December 31, 2019

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I was prescribed gabapentin three years ago for sharp, stabbing pains in my feet and hands that would wake me up at night; hard to get back to sleep. Eight years prior to that, I herniated three lumbar discs and was also diagnosed with severe lower back arthritis. I started with 300 mg before bedtime, and it helped tremendously, but I would be dopey until noon the next day, so the doctor suggested cutting back to 100 or 200 mg daily. I backed off to 100, and it was not effective enough, so I went up to a 200 mg dose, and that was the sweet spot. It has also helped with back pain at night, resulting in better sleep."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2016

For Pain "I have just started taking this for nerve pain in my hands, legs, and feet. For sciatica, bursitis, bulging, and degenerative disc pain at 100mg dosage. I have had noticeable pain relief for these issues today. It does make me drowsy but seems to be working. I will do an update on pain relief for a day where my pain is really bad and report on how it works then."

• Ode...
• July 7, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "Yes, I have had RLS since I was nine years old. Experts say that children cannot experience RLS, but I can remember it clearly when trying to sleep and at Saturday morning picture club! When I flew to Australia, it was so bad I wanted to jump off the plane! I even get it in my arms. Now in my sixties and still a sufferer. I don't eat or drink after 6 pm and only have one coffee at 8 in the morning. Last night was a bad night with it in my left leg and arms. I took two Gabapentin, which is great for relief and knocks me out. I cannot understand why there is no research into this awful condition. If I won the lottery, I would fund research into a cure!"

• mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2016

For Pain "I am a 20-year chronic pain survivor. I tried this med years ago after anterior and posterior spinal fusion of L1-S1. It made me dopey, sleepy, and confused. I am writing this review because my mom was recently hospitalized with severe sciatic pain. A week after failed injections, the 'pain specialist' felt this was the best route for her pain. She is 68 years old and sharp as a tack. I watched her all week get more and more short-term memory loss, confusion, loss of words, basically symptoms of early Alzheimer's, which there is no history of. There has been no pain relief to speak of. I am demanding they stop this nightmare tomorrow. I have read several other blogs that people are having the same issues, and they are 30 years younger."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2017

For Anxiety "I had pretty bad anxiety. My doctor said to take 300 mg of gabapentin three times a day. The first time I took it was at night, before bed. It made me feel a little drunk or maybe dopey. But, not a bad feeling. Not dizzy, not falling down - no other side effects. It made me a little sleepy to help with my insomnia. The next day, I took 300 mg at 9:00 a.m. - no problems, no side effects, nothing. Just anxiety relief. Once in a while, I can feel the anxiety after about 6 hours when I need to take another pill. I started taking 600 mg at bedtime to help with sleep. The first time I raised the dose, it made me a little more tired and a little tipsy feeling. But only once. For anxiety, this stuff worked great for me with no side effects!!!"

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2017

For Anxiety "I had pretty bad anxiety. My doctor said to take 300 mg of gabapentin three times a day. The first time I took it was at night, before bed. It made me feel a little drunk or maybe dopey. But, not a bad feeling. Not dizzy, not falling down - no other side effects. It made me a little sleepy to help with my insomnia. The next day, I took 300 mg at 9:00 a.m. - no problems, no side effects, nothing. Just anxiety relief. Once in a while, I can feel the anxiety after about 6 hours when I need to take another pill. I started taking 600 mg at bedtime to help with sleep. The first time I raised the dose, it made me a little more tired and a little tipsy feeling. But only once. For anxiety, this stuff worked great for me with no side effects!!!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2025

For Insomnia "I have been suffering from insomnia for 6 years. I tried many different medicines like trazodone, clonazepam, Xanax, Quviviq, melatonin, and many other OTC ones. Some of them helped me to get the sleep but with side effects including grogginess in the morning, dizziness, and... recently I got very severe COVID symptoms and leg and feet pain. My neurologist, fortunately, prescribed me gabapentin 500 mg, 200 in the morning and 300 at night. From the beginning, I started taking 100 for the morning and 200 for the night. Believe me or not, the first night I slept like a baby and woke up very refreshed, and my pain became very less. I decided to take this medicine solely for my insomnia and never interrupt it, unless I come up with delayed side effects. I highly recommend this medicine for whoever suffers from pains and critical insomnia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Very good response with pain and stiffness. Added to fibro-fog. This has been very well tolerated with nothing more than a little itching when ready for next dose. A little sleepy late afternoon, I have sensitivities to MANY medicines with weird side effects. I have had nothing but good experience with gabapentin! I would recommend this."

• Chr...
• January 23, 2019

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I started Gabapentin in 2010 with 400 mg 3X's daily. It worked tremendously for me. If I missed my dosage each passing hour, my pain level increased. Once I took it again after an hour, the pain decreased. My pain management doctor eventually suggested increasing my dosage 100 mg with each increase until I took 800 mg 3X's a day in 8 years. Then I noticed a sudden loss of memory when I spoke. At 800 mg, I became tipsy and began back-stepping. Also, I felt the increased dosage wasn't meeting my need. I suspected a connection with the high increase, so I decreased back to 400 mg. At which time the negative effects ceased and the results for pain relief remained equal to the increased levels of Rx, which currently is not sufficient because my doctor said that I eventually bottomed out and the Rx no longer served its purpose in my treatment regimen. I still take Gabapentin, but I'm searching for something else."

• Rit...
• November 21, 2011

Gabapentin for Pain "I've been taking Neurontin now for 2 weeks, and it does help with the pain, but the side effects in my case are a hazy feeling, difficulty concentrating, feeling sleepy, and I've noticed I'm eating more. My doctor prescribed it together with Percocet for herniated discs, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, osteopenia, and a slew of other things. It does help, but I work as a secretary for a law firm, which means I have to greet everyone that walks in the front door. I cannot afford not to be alert, and this medication makes me feel like I don't want to or don't care to do anything. So what do I do? I need to take the medicines in order to be able to go to work, but when I get there, I don't want to do anything! Quite a dilemma!"

• Wag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2013

For Pain "I've had 5 surgeries on lower back which causes nerve damage and pain and been this way since my first surgery in 1992 or 93 lose count. My Dr. suggested Gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day. Now I'm not steady on my feet, when walking, I have to hold on to things because of fear of falling. I can't function at the workplace. I have to be alert at all times. I have a lot of drowsiness and dizziness, and this medicine puts me to sleep at all hours. But on a high note, I'm drinking a lot of water, which is a good thing due to cotton mouth. I don't think this is for me."

• Pj1...
• August 26, 2016

For Pain "I have had chronic SI L5 pain and sciatica for 6 years. This has been a wonder drug for me, but I can only take it at night when I go to bed. It lets me have a good night's sleep. I cannot take it during the day, it wears me down and I am very groggy."