Gabapentin and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• LQa...
• September 19, 2015

For Insomnia "I had recent foot surgery and experienced nerve discomfort while in the hospital. I was started on Neurontin, which did help my nerve discomfort about 80% and made me very sleepy for the first week. After that, I experienced insomnia, which I found more distressing than the nerve discomfort. I am currently in the process of weaning myself off this med."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2018

For Insomnia "I have a long chronic pain history. Degenerative disk disease among other problems. I've been taking Neurontin 600 mg, and after the first three days, I'm now wide awake through most of the night. Maybe getting 4 hrs of sleep in the early morning hours, and my pain has not changed. I wake up feeling a fog, and I stumble around, my eyes can't focus...not sure what to do at this point..."

• nwm...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 23, 2018

For Hot Flashes "I started with my menopausal symptoms back in the summer of 2011 (night sweats and insomnia). I injured my foot in the fall of 2011, requiring surgery in May 2012, for which Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), aka Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), set in. I was started on a high dose of gabapentin. After being on the medication for a while, I tried coming off, my night sweats and insomnia came back with a vengeance. I stayed on the medication for some time and tried coming off again the second time, symptoms came back. I tried again several times afterward, and the same thing: my symptoms would come back. I just had to make sure that my symptoms were consistent with coming off of the medication. Now I know this medication is working for my menopausal symptoms. I would highly recommend any woman who is suffering from the same symptoms to speak with your doctor and request that you be given a trial of gabapentin. I have maintained a dose of 600 mg every night before bed."

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2022

For Neuropathic Pain "AMAZING DRUG!!! Cannot understand all of the bad reviews…I am the poster girl for severe chronic neuropathic pain. Head-to-toe burning pain for three years. Lower body legs and back are the worst, caused by trapped nerves in the SI joint after a motorbike accident + extreme trauma… It ruined my life. Endless suicide attempts. Psych hospital stays. Screaming continually, thrashing around in pain. Morphine didn’t help, no painkillers worked, even weed. Endless physio to no avail. I am on the lowest dose of this drug, 100 mg x3 a day. Pain was 100% where I was being sick from it, sleep deprived. Pain is now at 40%, can’t imagine what it will be if I increase the dose! Also have severe OCD, bipolar, and panic disorder. Been on over 14 different antidepressants, nothing worked but this!"

• Chr...
• March 4, 2021

For Insomnia "Am I ever gonna be able to get off this after I've started taking it? Is my body going to build a tolerance? Will I need to take more? I can't continue to sleep 2 to 3 hours a night raising a 15-year-old nonverbal autistic grandchild. Insomnia just came on in the last month."

• Nic...
• June 17, 2010

Gabapentin for Hot Flashes "I had been on the brand name Neurontin for my complex partial seizure disorder since 1994. When the generic came out, I began taking it. I began experiencing menopause symptoms within two months. I was 36 years old at that time. Three months ago, my neurologist put me back on the name brand. My symptoms have diminished greatly, but not completely. I think my condition is unique in that I took this medication while still in childbearing age. When my age increased, something about the generic formulation's bioavailability actually induced menopause symptoms. I also know that the name brand is working, as evidenced by weight gain, which can be brought back down with exercise. I had lost weight, sleep, memory, and sanity while on the generic."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2018

For Anxiety "I had great results with gabapentin. I am currently only on one drop a day. I am very sensitive to psychotropic drugs, so I asked for the liquid version. I am going to slowly increase my dose over time. It has lessened my anxiety and helped with insomnia. Improved mood also. I’m afraid that some start on a big dose, have a reaction, then disregard the drug. It can be a reaction that your body is getting accustomed to the drug, not that you cannot tolerate the drug. Obviously, this wouldn’t apply to allergic, anaphylactic reactions. This wouldn’t apply for epilepsy because you need a standard dose. My issue is anxiety, so I don’t absolutely have to have the drug. It helps for anxiety, though."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2021

For Pain "I have radiculopathy. Basically, intense pain in my arm due to a herniated disc. I found gabapentin helpful after a few weeks. 3 x 900 mg per day. Main side effect was sleep. I could sleep all day on this stuff, and bad dreams. Otherwise, no bad side effects. One thing about these pain meds that I have found is that if I am worried about the med, the side effects seem worse."

• Gab...
• October 28, 2016

For Pain "Nerve pain, tingling, painful tension, numbness in face, headaches, shoulder and ear pain, 'zaps' in face due to really bad TMJ for 11 months. That caused a major depression and extreme anxiety & insomnia. After I was hospitalized for brain surgery (different story, not related), and the doctors heard about my story, the pain management department got involved & rx'd Gaba & Opipramol (Germany). Immediate relief of 95% of my symptoms with the first dose of 300 mg. I went up to 300 2x daily and was back to my old self within a week. After a horrific dentist app 8 months later, I was left with tons of more pain & had to go to 2400 mg to feel effects on pain, despite Gaba. Fell in deep depression, anxiety, etc. Just added nortriptyline & see...."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2017

For Anxiety "I first started to take gabapentin as an off-label treatment for severe anxiety and OCD. While it did calm my intrusive thoughts a little, it, in turn, made me experience insomnia. I tried supplements and natural sleep aids to try to help me get to sleep at night, but to no avail. Due to lack of sleep and perhaps the gabapentin, I began to feel depressed, so I got off of it. It may work for others, but for me, it wasn't very effective for anxiety or OCD."

• Hot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2016

For Hot Flashes "So far, no relief for me. Had to add this review as I see so many success stories and felt others may need to know it doesn't always work. I too take 300 mg at night, prescribed by my oncologist because of my tamoxifen-induced hot flashes and sleepless nights. I'm still hoping it will kick in and be the miracle that it has been for so many of you all!"

• pam...
• December 6, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I read on here that this drug is non-narcotic. But it seems to act like a narcotic. I have been on this drug for a few years. I wish I had never seen it. When I run out, I am in very bad shape. I sweat like crazy. I cannot sleep. In so much pain, I can't walk. If you are new to this drug, DO NOT TAKE IT FOR ANY REASON. If you do take it, be very careful with it. It is very addictive. A doctor will tell you it's not addictive. I'm telling you from taking this, it is very ADDICTIVE. BEWARE."

• SAM...
• December 1, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "Tried Gabapentin 400 mg x 2 daily for my back pain. I have 18 pieces of metal in my lower back in my L3, L4, and L5. So far, my pain level has dropped from an 8 down to a 2. I haven't been this pain-free in years. It also helped me with my insomnia. I take it an hour before bedtime, and within an hour, I'm able to relax and calm down enough to sleep. This drug really works for me, I hope it helps you."

• Kir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I was prescribed gabapentin for severe sciatica. I'm not sure if it helped with the pain, but after 2 months of taking it, my RLS became the worst it's ever been. Legs thrashing, back spasms, no sleep. Usually, magnesium malate helps, but it stopped working. Daytime symptoms, too."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2015

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I take 800 mg TID, which seems to me a high dose. It's still a bit hit or miss on neuropathic pain coverage. When it works, it's great! I know it works from comparison to the week- or month-long periods I've not taken it, when the pain is much worse. Still, it can't compare to other meds I've tried, like Cymbalta, which provide awesome pain control (downside to Cymbalta is insomnia, though). Narcotic pain meds work somewhat too, but mainly by changing my attitude towards the pain, not really lowering it, so they are a poor option for me."

• Sha...
• August 15, 2009

For Pain "I have been taking this medication at a prescribed dose of 3200 mg a day. I have now had to come off it as the side effects I have had were quite severe. Vomiting, headaches, dizziness, lack of sleep, very moody, to name a few."

• Can...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2022

For Occipital Neuralgia "I take 2,700 mg of gabapentin a day (900 mg 3x a day) for occipital neuralgia. It works for the pain really well at this dose, however, I cannot sleep for the life of me! My depression became worse, I’m sensitive and cry all the time, and I have severe munchies all the time, but especially at night when I can’t sleep. I sleep maybe 4-5 hours a night in two-hour increments. My depression is so bad that they’ve put me on a higher dose of lithium (I’m bipolar 1) and cycled me through several other medications for that, with no help and bad side effects. I have been on gabapentin for over 2 years and have been slowly tapering my dose from 3,600 mg a day so that I may rely on nerve blocks as my insurance doesn’t cover the gabapentin alternative Lyrica."

• ded...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2018

For Insomnia "I've tried everything for insomnia. The doctor wanted me to try gabapentin. First night I slept 3 hrs., and then a couple 2 hr. times. Next day by 5 o'clock I was very restless. I couldn't do anything till after 2 a.m. I took the 100 mg. at 9 and didn't get to sleep until about 2 and then awake every hour or two. Last night was also horrible. I was taking trazodone. I'm going to call the doctor and tell her I don't want to take gabapentin anymore. I think I want to try Elavil or just stay on the trazodone. I've got to get some sleep somehow! I can take a quarter of Tylenol with codeine, which I cut into quarters and take one of those a couple nights till I get rested, then I don't have to take it anymore. I don't want to be hooked on drugs!!!"

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "This drug has been a miracle for my pain, but I cannot sleep more than 2-3 hours a day. This is my 4th week at 900 mg a day, I have tried taking them at different times of the day (within the 12 hr window). Four or five hours after I take them, I get a 'boost' for an hour of semi hyperactivity that ends up in a little gloom from staring at the ceiling."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2020

For Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy "I have type 2 diabetes with neuropathic pain in my feet and hands for 12 years. I have been taking a pain medication that worked until my dosage was cut back. Now my doctor has put me on Gabapentin 300 mg two times a day, with severe pain and burning in my hands since taking this medicine that I did not have before, with dizziness, bad balance, headaches, forgetfulness, and not sleeping at night. So I quit taking it for 5 days, I was better, with no pain or burning in my hands. I talked to my brother, and he told me about 3 other people taking the medication with good results, so I am trying it again. Pray long-term effects work, but not happy with this medication right now. Pain medication does control my pain, but they say it’s not good for you. But, comparing pain medication with Gabapentin, I have no side effects with pain medication but have many with Gabapentin. Praying for a better outcome with this medication, I have been taking it for 4 months."

• Fed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2021

For Pain "I have been taking Gabapentin for chronic groin pain after hernia surgery. Started from 300 mg per day and went to 1200 mg per day. On 600 mg, I started feeling better, but my doctor told me that the minimal dose for pain is 1800 mg. At 1200 mg, I started having colon bloating and insomnia. I started Googling about Gabapentin, and 100% of articles confirmed my doctor's words. Then I ran into this article: 'Low doses of amitriptyline, pregabalin, and gabapentin are preferred for the management of neuropathic pain in India: is there a need for revisiting dosing recommendations?' You only need up to 300 mg for chronic pain. Thank you, Indian doctors."

• 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."

• big...
• April 16, 2011

Gabapentin for Peripheral Neuropathy "I'm male, 52, and a diabetic on insulin. I developed severe diabetic-onset peripheral neuropathy six years ago and was prescribed Neurontin at that time. I took it for a couple of weeks, and it did not work well for me. I felt nauseous, and my thinking was not clear. An ER doctor prescribed Cymbalta, and that medicine has been a godsend. I do have to live with the side effects of sometimes having trouble sleeping and sometimes feeling wonky-headed, but those are easy trade-offs for the complete pain relief that I feel."