Gabapentin and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2020

For Anxiety "I've been taking gabapentin for anxiety. I used to throw up bile and saliva in the middle of the night, along with nausea caused by stress and anxiety. Since taking gabapentin before bed, I'm able to sleep and have stopped throwing up. I recommend taking it with a meal. I don't have side effects from it, just makes me tired. I take 300 mg before bed."

• Kic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2016

For Restless Legs Syndrome "A must-try for RLS. Had RLS for 7 years and was always told it was in my head. After that long leaving my RLS, it was getting worse, and I was showing signs of depression, so I booked myself in with the docs (thought I would be put on antidepressants). I was offered to try gabapentin first to get rid of the cause of depression symptoms. They made me feel drowsy, tired, and clumsy for about 2 weeks, and I started getting used to them. But I slowly noticed my legs weren't driving me insane! They were relaxing for once. When my mind was relaxed, my legs were too! I have been on them a few months now, and it feels great to be able to sleep and not kick around all the time. I feel happier in myself and great to have my legs and brain communicating properly."

• Cry...
• January 20, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "I am on 600 mg, 4-5 times a day. I usually take 3 during the day and 2 at night. It has been a lifesaver. If I miss a dose, the pain comes flooding back in full force. Couldn't survive without it. No side effects besides being tired for about an hour after it kicks in. I can live with that."

• nbu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2017

For Pain "I have stenosis, scoliosis, arthritis, bone spurs, and degenerative spinal disease. Most of my back discs are showing damage of some type. Gabapentin is the ONLY thing that has helped me after years of trying different doctors' advice. I have only been on it for 8 weeks, and although far from pain-free, I can function each day. I occasionally will have a bad day or up to several, but that was caused by something I did physically. I started with one pill a day, adding another each week, so the effects were mild. Except for some tiredness, I have no other side effects. This is a lifesaver for me."

• HiT...
• January 18, 2013

For Migraine "In August 2012, my migraines suddenly became disabling! It was constant and horrible! I saw a neurologist in early December, and he ordered gabapentin, starting at 1 pill and then increasing weekly up to 4 pills. It's mid-January, and I am still only taking 2 pills because I am always tired and a little nauseated. I need to increase it though because, as another reviewer said, it makes everything 'muted' but not completely. I have had some migraines, but nothing horrible like before. So, for that reason, this medication is wonderful! But I have one side effect that I wonder if it is from gabapentin - I feel extremely mean and annoyed. It's very noticeable to my family. Has anyone else had this side effect?"

• Ken...
• June 10, 2016

For Pain "Was taking 2x 5 mg Norco per day. They gave some relief for my sciatica. Muscle relaxers did nothing but make me tired. This stuff did wonders! I felt noticeable relief from the first 300 mg pill! I take three a day and take a single 5 mg Norco if I know I am going to do something that will irritate it. I can now take long walks, garden, and exercise normally. Doesn't make it go away completely, but makes it bearable with an occasional back stretch. Hopefully, I can now lose weight easier. I am a big guy. I'm 6'2", used to weigh 250 and bench 360. Now I am overweight and weigh 350 and bench 250. I hope to lose 80-100 lbs and see how the old spinal disks do then. On the downside, it makes you feel a little weird, especially at first."

• Sue...
• February 4, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "Gabapentin is the only med that has worked for me. I have had Fibro for 15 years. I had to quit work because of Fibro. Doctors have put me on all the other approved meds for Fibro, and no way! I take 100 mg twice a day and 800 mg at bedtime. I still feel tired and can't do what I want to do, but I'm much, much better than I was before Gabapentin. My worst problem is trigger points nearly all over my body. I have to go to get deep tissue massages for that problem. REALLY helps. Good luck to all of you!"

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2025

For Anxiety "Absolute wonder drug for anxiety. Was prescribed this for anxiety, both social and generalized about a year ago. SSRIs, trazodone, alprazolam, and hydroxyzine didn't do much. My doctor gave me gabapentin off-label afterward, initially 300 mg PRN for panic attacks. It isn't really good for panic attacks, it has a relatively slow onset of action compared to benzos. I was then instructed to take it twice daily, 300 mg mornings and 600 mg before bed, and my anxiety just was gone. I don't at all feel cloudy or tired as a result of it either, just normal."

• Pea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2022

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with GAD years ago and have taken a low dose of Lexapro for 10+ years. My doctor prescribed gabapentin 300mg 1x per day in the evenings for anxiety and the fact that I was self-medicating in the evenings with wine due to ongoing stress. I feel like the last 3 days of my life were robbed from me while on this medication. I’ve never in my life (48 y/o) felt such darkness and even suicidal at times! I could not stop crying and could barely make it out of bed. I have a severely autistic child, and I could not take care of him, let alone myself over these 3 days. The first dose, I fell asleep on the couch and felt tired/rundown the next am. I had zero energy at the gym and felt just generally down. The second evening, I started crying and ruminating around 11 pm and cried myself to sleep around 2 am. I foolishly took the 3rd day thinking it would get better…worst idea ever. I almost called 911 to take me to the psych hospital. It has been just over 24 hours since that last dose, and I’m slowly feeling normal."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

For Fibromyalgia "Well, I have a variety of issues. Specifically, I have 3 herniated cervical discs and a dozen disc bulges down the thoracic into lumbar back. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 6 months ago, and I am still not certain it just wasn't my back issues now that I had several MRI scans this past month. I was given a cortisone injection in the spine and prescribed this medicine along with Percocet, which I find I only need between dosages of Gabapentin if I let it wear off. Amazing, this medicine, the very first dose kicked in 2 hours after taking it. I felt clearer in the mind than ever since I have ADHD as well. I didn't get tired, but I did have a very clear calming effect. My pain reduced 10-fold. I really feel great and extremely happy with the result."

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2019

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I take gabapentin 3 times each day at 300 mg. I feel so much better since taking gabapentin. I take 300 mg in the morning and double dose after dinner and double dose before bed. But I have gained over 1 stone of weight, also, I find in the hot weather we have had, I feel more fuzzy and tired. But it is worth it. Before I started taking gabapentin, the nerve damage after a treble spine decompression was unbearable at night, my feet hurt so much sometimes I did not know what to do with the pain. I still get some pain and stabbing pain, but it's more manageable. Thank you, gabapentin."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

For Neuropathic Pain "This medicine did not work for me. It put me in a bad mood, and I just felt bad overall. I couldn’t think straight, had no drive to get stuff done, tired all the time, and still hurt from the pinched nerve in my spine. My upper back all the way down to my pinky was constantly burning and aching."

• jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2018

For Pain "A useless pain killer. I am on 1500 mg a day with no pain relief. I have had spine surgery and been on this drug before and after, with no relief. It has given me headaches, no appetite, thinking, and now also depressed. Also, I am tired all the time, my vision has really gotten bad. I am going to get off this rotten drug and try to stand the pain."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

For Anxiety "Took 300 mgs of Gabapentin today at 10:29 a.m. Got really dizzy, and my mouth felt a bit puffed up. But, I did not have that much anxiety. My anxiety makes my throat feel like it's going to close, but when I took the gabapentin, I felt a lot better, and now, at 5 p.m., my throat feels fine, my pain is gone, and you know I feel a lot better. Supposed to be taking it three times a day. But, I am VERY scared of taking meds. But, once I found out gabapentin is a neurotransmitter and calms your nervous system, I felt better. Tired too. Maybe might get some sleep finally."

• bub...
• July 31, 2017

For Pain "I have severe spine damage. T7, T8, and the disc in between are basically gone, nerve pain unbelievable. I tried Lyrica in a large dose and no relief. Then one doctor said some meds don't work on some but do on others, you just have to get the correct one. So I tried gabapentin, and to me, it was a lifesaver. Within three days, the pain was gone or close to gone. 1800 mg a day (6x300 mg) plus 40 mg of OxyNeo (4x10 mg), which is oxycodone time-release formula. The pain specialist says maybe more dose is needed, but I can't function properly. That is my minimum dose, even dropping one pill out of those amounts, I can feel the difference in pain. The side effects to me are tiredness, constipation, memory issues, blurred vision, moodiness. It seems, on hot and humid days, if outside, I get really disoriented, so I stay inside."

• Aas...
• August 29, 2022

For Anxiety "This medication has worked great for my anxiety, PTSD, and emotional regulation due to ADHD. My doctor prescribed this to me for back pain and insomnia, but I noticed that it really helped with the above things I mentioned. Also, there are very few side effects compared to other anxiety meds I tried. Other meds made me very tired, but not this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 9, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had RLS (restless leg syndrome) for 32 years. I have been using pramipexole and gabapentin for many years to help mask the symptom. I have been aware for quite some time that the sensation has been breaking through. Just recently, it has completely stopped working, and the sensation in my legs has become unbearable. I also have the sensation in both arms. Sleep evades me, and exhaustion has become so prevalent in my life. The symptoms now occur in the daytime as well as the night. If I sit or lie down, I am in agony. Although it is not pain, it is as bad as being in extreme pain. I don’t know what to do."

• Sly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2017

For Pain "This stuff is garbage!! I suffer from endometriosis, sciatica, and fibromyalgia. I've been on Norco and Percocet for the last 15 years, and have completed several rounds of PT. I also take ibuprofen PRN. Went to see my new PCP and was rudely told it's time to 'let the Percocet go.' As if I'm a child clinging to my favorite teddy bear, lol. She also informed me that my pain is a result of emotional trauma and that I must have had a horribly abusive childhood! A nurse practitioner attempting to psychoanalyze people! Hahaha!! After taking just 100 mg of gabapentin, I had blurry vision and was so lethargic I could not get out of bed for 12 hours straight. It also caused very bad pins and needles in both legs. Avoid this stuff like the plague!!!!"

• Nac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 17, 2016

For Fibromyalgia "It honestly helps a lot for my nerve pain. I get it super bad in my arms, and it helps so much. I only notice the pain if I don't take it. I take right now 900 mg. I would be in so much more pain without this. It's a blessing. Also, I, for some reason, never get tired from this. I never get tired or anything and can take it in the morning if I forget. It does nothing for my insomnia. Idk if I have a rare reaction to it or what, but my doctor finds it funny. Ha ha."

• Bus...
• January 11, 2017

For Peripheral Neuropathy "It was given to my 91-year-old mother 3 times a day for the nerve damage in her feet. The medicine relieved her pain, but she became very lethargic. There were days when she was so out of it she could not sit 5 minutes without falling asleep. She had swelling in her knees, hand tremors, and was not able to communicate properly. Only after I read about the side effects did I realize her condition was possibly because of the Neurontin. The doctor changed it from 3 times to 2 times a day, and in a matter of 2 days, my mother was back to herself, and her foot problem was much better."

• hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2016

For Migraine "I actually started taking Gabapentin as a mood stabilizer. This morning I woke up and thought to myself, 'Man, I haven't had a headache in forever.' I was never diagnosed with 'migraines' per se, but I had daily, excruciating headaches for sure. Light was intolerable, any sound would make me want to vomit. I have been on Gabapentin 100 mg 3 times per day for 6 weeks now. I started at 100 mg per day and worked up to 300. I won't lie-there were side effects (at first). I got extremely carsick, semi-dizzy, and really tired-but all of these side effects have worn completely off with getting used to the medication. The only side effect I still have is slight clogging/occasional ringing in my ears-but other unrelated factors may be involved with that."

• PTS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2016

For Anxiety "I have horrible anxiety from my PTSD, not military related. I have been on Neurontin for 2 months for my anxiety. It does not help me at all. Now I am just tired all the time. Which makes my anxiety worse. I have noticed my back pain is better."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2011

For Migraine "I began taking 300 mg of gabapentin before bed every night and stopped when my migraines began to subside (as recommended by my doctor). However, they came back and I began 300 mg before bed and 600 mg in the morning. The medication helps tremendously. The only downside is that it makes me feel drunk, spacey, and tired. I don't feel 'all the way there' and lost sometimes, which isn't great at work. But it sure beats almost daily migraines."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 2, 2013

For Anxiety "600 mg three times a day. I was taking Gabapentin for 3 years, but I stopped it because it has too many side effects, including numbness on my whole body, weight gain is a major fact, more headaches than usual, sleepy, tired, active but with a tingling sensation on my tongue, and so on, depression when I didn't take it, intolerable, anxiety, sweats, withdrawal symptoms, but it does help with pain and many things, but the consequences of it are horrible. Memory loss is another fact, definitely, it is a very dangerous medication."