Gabapentin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Nurse...
• November 29, 2014

For Pain "This is the first medicine that dropped my back pain from 10 to a 2. I was on increasing oxycodone for years due to crushed back in accident. Had 5 herniated discs L1 - L5 which eventually developed bone spurs and arthritis. Severe radiating leg pain would cause leg numbness and some great falls in public. Surgery was recommended - I declined. 15 years later my psychiatrist prescribed it for anxiety/mood stabilizer to replace Depakote (also an anti-convulsant). 3 days later I noticed I could get by with Advil and gabapentin. Why didn't my ortho surgeon give me this? I take 900 mg/ day. Only been on it 3 weeks and I'm a different person."

• Matthew
• March 31, 2017

For Anxiety "Gabapentin has really helped me with anxiety. I used to always be thinking of what I had to do while I was busy with something else. For example, I would worry about what I had to do after work while I was at work. I would play future scenarios over and over before they even occurred. I would play past experiences over and over. Some call this rumination. Much of this has either dropped down to a manageable level or just disappeared with gabapentin. I have never been one much into pharmaceuticals but this one works for me. I can see that some people love how it works for them, some people despise of it, and others say it doesn't do a thing for them. We are all different and what works for one doesn't work for another, just like diet. I'm much happier going out and doing ordinary things like shopping, going to the bank, and other ordinary routine tasks. I easily get bored with ordinary tasks and just want to get them done. I just wanted to get things over with so that I could take on the next task. Now, I can be more with what I am doing without having to rush through it to get to the next goal. I take my time and stop to talk with people. It's ok if I'm late for the next task so long as it's not an appointment where others are involved. The main thing for me is to enjoy people when I go out to a store, or the bank, or wherever! The gabapentin helps a part of my brain slow down so that I can "see" the people in my day. It really feels good to go to the gym and not feel tied to a specific exercise routine anymore. I like going in with a goal in mind, but allow for what the body is telling me. Instead of just checking in at the desk, I'm more likely to spend time saying hello and having patience. So what if it means that I will get home 5 minutes later and eat dinner 5 minutes later, and then get 5 minutes less sleep. Big deal! I see from writing this that gabapentin helps me to be less obsessive With gabapentin, it is much easier for me to accept doing a job I am tired of. I've been at the same job for a long job and was getting antsy to move on. There isn't anything bad about the job, but doing anything "forever" gets kind of old. Now, I know that soon I will be making a change, but can be"more" patient until the change happens. If I were completely patient, then the change would never happen. There is still fire to make the change happen. I feel less anxiety about change and welcome it more now. There are times in life when change is good. I don't feel as dead in my tracks with fearing change. It's o.k. if I don't figure out "everything" today because there is always tomorrow! Yes, I am very satisfied with how gabapentin works. I give it a 10 out of 10."

• Vnurse
• August 16, 2018

For Insomnia "I've had horrible anxiety,insomnia ,restless leg & depression for years that has disturbed my sleep. I've tried many meds such as Seroquel ,Trazadone, Benadryl, Melatonin, Xanax, Ativan etc.. all eventually stopped working or had lingering effects. I started taking Gabapentin when I developed Shingles & noticed I started sleeping better. Sleeping uninterrupted though the night, my legs and body no longer felt restless. At first I had some side effects the next day being groggy & foggy but after my body became used to the drug within a few weeks it disappeared. Now I take 600mg every night an hour before bed and I sleep like a baby & wake up rested. Even if I wake at night I don't feel "drugged up" or in a zombie like state. I feel calm & sleepy. After all these years of taking so many meds to help me calm down and sleep I never considered Gabapentin to be so wonderful & just what I needed. I'm 38 and a nurse & can't say enough about Gabapentin. I have had wonderful results."

• Genie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Neuropathic Pain "This drug has ruined my life. While it is meant to treat nerve pain, it had a paradoxical effect and caused nerve pain to spread over my entire body two days after taking it. I have now had nerve pain in my eyes, face, ears, and entire body for five months. I am not the first patient to report this. Simply check out the Gabapentin groups on Facebook and you’ll see how many peoples’ lives this drug has ruined. I am in pain 24/7 thanks to a drug meant to fix nerve pain. My doctors confirmed they have seen this reaction in patients. Doctors, please stop prescribing this. I stopped the drug after two weeks so it was not even a withdrawal; yet I have heard the same story over and over (patients develop full body nerve pain after several days on the drug that lasts months to years or more)."

• Skyla
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2019

For Pain "I was on Gabapentin for over 5 years for pain and anxiety. The withdrawal almost killed me. I'm still suffering months later. I have permanent damage to my bowels due to the fact that it numbed the signal to my brain that I needed to go to the bathroom. I gained significant water weight. I was unable to think clearly and would get lost driving to places I've been many times. It raised my hemoglobin to the point that I had to be hospitalized. I developed sleep apnea. I had 8 central sleep apneas in 30 minutes. I stopped breathing over 60 times an hour. This was all on less than 300 mg. I now lost 28 pounds, underweight and was unable to eat due to withdrawal. My doctor said it can take up to one year for the effects to wear off. I pray it does not last that long. This is a dangerous drug that is given out like candy."

• somew...
• May 18, 2013

Neurontin (gabapentin) for Pain "I've been on Neurotin for almost 4 months and it has given me relief for chronic pelvic pain. 300mg at night and 100mg mid-day was the initial dose and at present I'm on 300mg at night only. It has made the pain bearable however the side-effects have been lethargy, headaches, aching eyes, and dreaming so vivid it leaves me hung over. I'm hoping this will improve with time. It has helped with the pain."

• Sharon
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Pain "I've been on Ultracet (Tramadol and Tylenol) for 20 years for extreme, unrelenting nerve and muscle pain. Because the US swings from one extreme to the other extreme, the "opioid epidemic" and forced tapering for All people- most especially chronic pain patients, has caused a great deal more of suffering. No problems at all and effective pain relief from brand Ultracet. But the morons are pimping Gabapentin to pain patients and even dogs/cats by veterinarians as a "replacement" for critical meds like Ultracet (and the real narcotics). Someone's making big money pushing useless Gabapentin on people and animals in pain. Useless at best, bizarre and scary psychiatric problems at worse. Avoid this medication. Gabapentin has an array of it's own very serious problems and so best to avoid."

• Danny
• October 2, 2020

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I have been drinking a bottle of alcohol every day from the time I woke up so the time I went to sleep, and that is for over 20 years. If I didn't have a drink by noon I would go into withdrawal. My wife would have to go to the store for me right away because of my shakes were so bad I couldn't even get the ATM card in the machine. Last year I was shot in the neck and back and this is one of the many medication I would prescribed. I put it to the side and I've never touched it although they send it to me in the mail for a month every month for a year. I just stuck to drinking. I decided to Google it and notice it works for alcohol withdrawal. So I decided to give it a try. The first day I didn't even have a drink with no withdrawals. It's been a month now and haven't touched a drink. I highly recommend this for anybody that wants to get off alcohol."

• Infid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

For Anxiety "No bad side effects. The best drug for anxiety next to Ativan. The only weird, but enjoyable side effect was Closed Eye Visuals or CEVs. I would wake in the middle of the night and with my eyes closed, I would see beautiful brightly colored patterns, which I would enjoy until I drifted off to sleep again. I take 600mg 3x per day."

• tryin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2014

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking Gabapentin for about two weeks now, starting at 300mg at night which knocked me out! I had been having terrible pain in hips and legs, and sciatic pain at night, and tingling/ numbness in hands in the morning. It made me sleepy the first week but now starting to get used to it. Still a little clumsy but getting better. Now increased dose to 300mg at bedtime and 300mg in the morning after breakfast. I feel so much better now. Side effects other than sleepiness are not apparent so I am much encouraged. Thank you Gabapentin!"

• Legobo
• August 17, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "For the past 5 years I have suffered with fibromyalgia, I wake 4 or 5 times a night and generally feel like I have had flu all that time. I started on gabapentin 100mg 3 x daily for 4 weeks and did feel I had a bit more energy, my GP then put me up to 300mg x 3 daily and it has made a massive difference. For the first time in years I get a good night sleep and don't feel like I have been hit by a bus when I wake."

• pags
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2014

For Peripheral Neuropathy "I have been taking gabapentin in significant doses (900mg/4xday). When it is time for me to take a dose my upper back and my arms will begin to tingle and become cold and my hands will begin to burn. If I wait my arms and back will become very cold and no amount of heat will help. Once I take my dose my symptoms will subside in 15 to 30 minutes. I take my gabapentin with a 5 mg tab of oxycodone which I take for a variety of serious pain and I think that the combination is much more effective for dealing with neuropathy. I have not found any studies that support my observation. I suffer no side effects from this medication."

• jeevg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2014

For Anxiety "I was taking Lamictal and Klonopin for a long time and doing very well on it. In 2010 I had to have a lumbar disk replacement from an old hockey injury in college. Sadly I got hooked on pain pills and when I finally stopped I was spending about 5k to 6k a month on pills which indicates how much I was taking. Since about Xmas of 2013 I have been going through a period of Major Depression and Severe anxiety. I just kept getting worse and worse and the Klonopin/Lamictal stopped working. I had a prescription of Gabapentin sitting in my drawer that I had been prescribed but stopped using because it was making me dizzy. I decided to try it our of desperation and all I can say is wow. My anxiety has gone from a 10 to a 2 and no side effects."

• Dutch
• April 19, 2014

For Pain "I have suffered from the pain of arthritis and disc degeneration in my lower back and neck. I also have fibromyalgia. As if that wasn't enough, I have been recently diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder. This medication has been great for me. I've only been on it for 4 days and already my pain has been greatly reduced. I haven't had to take any Percocet which is great. I have had to take a couple Tylenol. It has also really helped reduce my anxiety and depression. I really hope it keeps working. I take 300 mg about 1 PM and two 300 mg capsules at night. Side effects are minimal. I'm still a bit drowsy in the morning but it's nothing a good cup of coffee won't cure. It has been a great medication for me."

• Eva...
• March 29, 2015

For Anxiety "I have been on gabapentin going on almost a year, I have had anxiety all my life, but even more after I became a heroin, and cocaine user. I started taking Neurontin in prison, and these pills have helped me so much, and now I take 1200 in the morning, and 1200 in the evening, and I'm the happiest girl on earth and I've been clean, they help for real, I'm happy to clean, and cook, and spend time with my son. It's non narcotic, and a blessing."

• Ashley...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2014

For Anxiety "When my doctor first prescribed gabapentin, normally a seizure medicine, for my anxiety, I was a little confused. She explained to me that if you look at 2 brain scans, one patient with seizures, and one with anxiety, the damage in their brain is very similar. Within a week, I was able to feel a dramatic difference with my anxiety. Within a month, I truly felt "normal" again. I LOVE what this medication does for me, and it's made a huge impact on my daily life. I take one 300mg tablet in the morning, and two at night, and I have a very mild twitch that it's also helped to relieve as an extra plus."

• Hutch...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 18, 2016

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I am a sixty year old guy. I have been drinking since I was 15. AA gave me a couple of years of sobriety a few times. I could never describe the magnitude of my cravings (even to other alcoholics). Though the VA, I started taking Gabapentin about 6 months ago. I have returned to AA meetings because just reducing the cravings isn't all it's about for me. I have said that stated in meetings that there is finally a pill that cure's alcoholism. They don't like hearing that stuff in AA. It is more true than they will ever think. Craving's were such a huge part of my inability to control my drinking. I have been able to do things that I never could before. Best of luck to you all."

• Tisza
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 16, 2013

For Fibromyalgia "I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2006 and have been on a very, very low dosage of Gabapentin 300mg at bedtime ever since. My Fibromyalgia is manageable and I have no side effects from the medicine. I lead a very busy life. I am an Executive Assistant in a fast-paced organization, and a very involved grandmother to 3. Rarely, I will have a flare that is triggered by extreme stress and I will have a day in bed, but most days I am putting in 12 hr days at work. And weekends I am busy with family, so I feel Gabapentin saved my life! It was a miracle from the first few weeks of taking it."

• Myown...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2019

For Peripheral Neuropathy "This gabapentin medication has been a miracle drug for me. I have many health problems, and this med has 1) Decreased my peripheral neuropathy pain in multiple areas. 2) with ataxia - I was falling forward/sideways. It stopped it completely! 3) I am able to be around people now for the first time in 18yrs with out having severe anxiety attacks and finding the nearest exit. 4) for the first time in 18 yrs I have an appetite rather than just eating because my body needs fuel. 5) I am sleeping better. 6) I feel peaceful & happy, rather than just saying I am! I was a nurse and my life changed overnight, now 19 yrs later, Gabapentin is helping me live a better quality of life TY."

• Ash-H...
• June 12, 2014

For Pain "I have been dealing with thigh pain/numbness and tingles for almost two years from a pinched nerve in my thigh and lower back. Doctors always say LOSE WEIGHT! Well easier said than done. I am not that over weight. Finally met with a SMART neurologist. He said throw away the meds they had me on before which did nothing but MAKE me gain weight (Nortriptyline). He put me on Gabapentin 800mg. I was told to take half tablet three times a day unless I needed more, which I don't. It has been three days..First time in almost two years I sleep through the night because the irritation is GONE. I sleep all night like a baby, wake up refreshed, have ZERO pain in my leg. My coworkers say I am pleasant now. I have NO anxiety now as well! LOVE IT!"

• Elle
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 13, 2019

For Pain "I have taken Gabapentin for almost ten years for sciatic nerve pain. It works amazingly well for me. I take one 100mg capsule at bedtime. I sleep well, and I do not feel any sciatic pain. My internist has told me that I can take two capsules, but I have not needed to do this. I have not experienced any side effects from Gabapentin, although a friend of mine stopped taking it because it made her feel as though she were in a fog. I am grateful that this medication works for me."

• slice...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2014

For Anxiety "Gabapentin has been a life saver for me. I have suffered from dysthemia and anxiety for my entire 47 years of existence. I've been on every medicine they could toss at me over the years but nothing helped with my symptoms. Then I had back surgery for a discotomy on L5 on my spine. I had severe leg pain and the sciatica pain was very intense. The doctor prescribed gabapentin for residual nerve pain in my left foot. Without gabapentin my foot feels like its on fire but I also discovered how different I was beginning to feel with my depression and anxiety....I felt alive for the first time in decades. I kid you not, it is a wonderful and my doctor has been recording my progress on it with my depression and anxiety. Great medicine."

• Musta...
• March 14, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "After 31 years of being treated for depression with a panic disorder, and constantly complaining that the diagnosis was wrong, I found a doctor that figured it out. She diagnosed me with Cyclothymia (a form of bipolar disorder). She took me off of SSRI's and started me on Gabapentin. WOW. I feel like a normal person (I think). I'm calm. So far no panic attacks. The fog has lifted. I feel like I'm actually in the room. It's too bad that it took 31 years of my life for the medical community to figure it out, but better late than never."

• Bosna...
• October 5, 2014

For Pain "I was diagnosed with neck hernia on c5/c6 with arthritis and Gabapentin (paired with Physical Therapy exercises foam roller) truly helped out. The one interesting thing about Gabapentin is that it somehow knocked out my anxiety as well. It was real nice to be able to take a medicine which left me with no side effects but also improved on another condition. I found out that taking Gabapentin with soda (I use Ginger-Ale) actually helps absorb it better than taking it with water. My dosage was 3600mg per day. It's worth mentioning that you probably shouldn't drive when you take Gabapentin. Every human is different so try it out, see what works for you. This medicine has the ability to make things appear more 'vivid' while enhancing music/sound as well."

• Zena
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2019

For Insomnia "I'm taking 1200 mugs of gabapentin for severe back pain. Since taking the drug I find I talk all the time, like I'm so hyper. People ask me what I'm on. My major complaint is I can't sleep. I'm literally up for days at a time . I need sleep. Does anyone else suffer this terrible problem? The doctor says keep taking them. "