Hi everyone,
I am feeling hopeless. My panic attacks and depression are over the top today. I am still taking neurontin for my anxiety but I've only been on it for about a week. I hope it builds up in my system so I might feel better. When the anxiety hits, i feel like I'll never make it to tomorrow. How in the heck do I get out of this Hell? Thanks!
Why are you taking neurontin for anxiety? Neurontin is a drug to help with your nerves, for when your experiencing pain. I take neurontin daily, 900 MG a day but for my back pain. For anxiety and panic attacks I'd think you'd be better off on Xanax or something similar. I too suffer from panic attacks and all types of anxiety and am prescribed Xanax but I don't feel it's does much for helping. I can relate to your feelings and know how it feels to feel hopeless and how horrible the felling/feelings are. Only positive thing I can say is it's usually only temporary that the feelings are SO intense. Sorry to hear of your struggles... your not alone!
Thanks for replying. My psychiatrist is telling me that neurontin is being used to treat anxiety these days so he wants me to give it a try. I was on klonopin for 25 years and am now off of it so I think that's why he is shying away from Xanax. Benzos really do work for me but I guess he doesn't want me to be on them for the rest of my life. And since I was so addicted to klonopin, I am nervous about taking too many Xanax in a row. To me it's like a big juggling act that I just never seem to perfect. Most of the time I can put on a poker face but sometimes it all seems so unbearable as well. I really do appreciate your feedback! Thanks!
Gotcha, I didn't know they were treating anxiety with neurontin. Like I said, I'm on 900 mg a day for back issue, I've had 2 spinal fusions. My psychiatrist prescribed Xanax for me for anxiety which I feel gives me zero relief. I've also tried klonopin with no luck. I wish there was something that helped for those times when you literally don't know what to do with yourself. You can't take one more thought or feeling and feel SO beyond overwhelmed. It's such a horrible feeling that I wouldn't wish upon no one and if it's never happened to you you just can't understand stand it. I've tried to explain to my wife for 10 years now and she just don't get it. It's to the point where she don't even want to be bothered with it anymore. I can see her point, no one always wants to be around someone who's always down and depressed. I obviously don't chose to feel that way and literally can't help it but some just don't understand... and I guess I don't expect them to. I feel horrible that my issues have to cause others any type of pain or discomfort.
How old are you and how long were you on benzodiazepines? I have nerve pain most likely and anxiety but am very anxious about taking neurontin with all the side effects listed. Have you started it yet? My anxiety includes taking medications....very fearful of them but will take it if things continue like this.
My bf have has a very traumatic spinal cord and spine injury not to mention he also has ptsd and some other mental health issues and one of his meds is gabapentin and just the other day my therapist was telling me how they are finding out that gabapentin just doesn’t only work for nerves and muscle pain but it’s been showing that it’s also working for anxiety and mood stabilization and in all reality gabapentin is an anti-seizure med.
Dan how much klonipin were you taking?
I can't remember what the dose was. I didn't take it on a daily basis, only as needed when I was feeling very anxious or knew I was going to be in a situation where I knew would cause a lot of anxiety. I didn't feel it helped with the anxiety so I stopped taking it, never had to wean myself off. I know and have heard it helps a lot of people but for whatever reason I have found no help with either Klonopin or Xanax.
Hi. Can you please tell me how you weaned off your Clonazepam? I have been wanting to do that and have heard of the Dr. Heather Ashton Method used in the UK is very effective and more hu!And as far as withdrawal symptoms. Was your weaning process psychologically difficult. I would be so very grateful if you could share details with me.
Kindest regards and Peace.
I have anxiety and panic attacks and my dr prescribed neurontin to help me sleep. I take it as needed. Hope that helps
You take it as needed? Thought neurontin was something one takes everyday?
Yes, I take neurontin everyday.
I have anxiety and panic attacks due to health issues. Gabapentin is seriously the best for anxiety. I've been through countless SSRI's, etc and gabapentin has worked better than all those combined for my anxiety and panic attacks. But I didn't have insurance. So I got it online from ow.ly/Xg7C30gK7bE to save $$... They gave me a coupon code "NTSOAW10" for 10% discount last time. You can use it too.
Hello Dunaway, I've been on Gabapentin past two year and recently increased it to 300mg three times a day by my psychiatrist for anxiety and social phobia. I've read so much on it's withdrawal symptoms that it really scares me. Been trying hard to take it every other day instead, but even so, the following day by itself i'm very miserable and depressed with thru the roof anxiety. I love it when i take it though. I also experience alot of panic attacks like you. Like you, I've tried EVERYTHING their is and then some. Nothing worked until Gabapentin. How much do you take of it, and do you take it every day?
Hi keystolife777,
I too have depression and anxiety. I take neurontin for anxiety but it didn't help that much if you are having bad anxiety attacks. For that I take Prozac and klonapin. Do you talk to a therapist? It can really help. Get back to your Dr. If you feel the neurontin isn't helping.
Keystolife777, now I understand why you don't want to take benzodiazepines. I have been on them way too long and my Dr. Wants me to cut back. I am. If you are taking neurontin daily it can help with anxiety. Don't be discouraged.
Neurontin ( Gabapentin), works on GABA B receptors in the brain thereby decreasing excitation and decreasing seizure activity. It also can cause some muscle relaxation and " tiredness/ fatigue" as side effects. Many doctors are prescribing it for anxiety although is has not been FDA approved for such and research has mixed results. Xanax and all other drugs classified as benzodiazepines work on GABA A receptors in the brain. GABA A is the naturally occuring chemical that causes calmness and the ability to recover from bursts of adrenaline, norepinephrine, cortisol and other neuortransmitters that cause excitation. GABA A receptors are either in short supply or we lack sufficient GABA production for those of us with anxiety and panic disorders. Although not without is own withdrawal symptoms, Neurontin is being prescribed in hopes that it will still exert some calming qualities so they can avoid prescribing the much more addictive and more intense withdrawal of benzodiazepines even though benzodiazepines deliver fast, full relief of anxiety by working on the GABA A receptors.
Natural products such as L theanine and even magnesium have been shown to work on GABA A receptors positively however, you must do through research on dosing, cautions etc.
My prayers are always for all of us who suffer this chemical imbalances. I wish I had the answer. I've been suffering for over 30 years.
I really really appreciate your feedback on this. I have been dealing with this since the early 80's as well and I guess I may never find the total relief I am looking for without addiction. A couple of things that I have just recently tried was valerian root and ashwaganda. I actually think they do something but it's to soon to tell. Especially the valerian root. Once again, thanks for everything!
I take a natural sunflower seed product which contains a great, medium chain triglyceride known as Phosphatidylserine. You can purchase from Amazon etc. They are gel caps, easy to swallow and not only protect the brain, research shows they help ward off dementia, increase neuroplasticity, improve cell membranes of all body cells particularly brain, improve depression in government research on the elderly and proven to lower cortisol levels ( cortisol signals your adrenaline to fire and make you anxious). I take 100 mg three times a day for 3 weeks then cut back to twice a day per my doctors orders. Also possibly helps with sleep. Do your research and see what you think. I do not use the phosphatidylserine that is made from soy. I also avoid excitotoxins as much as possible. You can google and see the long list of Neuro excitotoxins.....They only make anxiety worse .
Self punishing thoughts
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