Has anyone taken Gabapentin for sleep?

[Coralrose5]

I have anxiety and depression and along with some circumstances my sleep has been very poor. My psych prescribed Gabapentin 100 mg at bedtime but that hasn’t worked. So we are trying 200 mg now. Anyone taken this drug?

[dore13]

Never, it was used to help with nerve pain. One of the side effects is suicidal ideologies! What kind of doctor would prescribe this!?!? I was given it after a major surgery, but soon after I felt an urge to die, I called my psychiatrist, and when she found out what the surgeon had given me, she was livid! I had to be taken off it immediately. Now, that being said, biochemically, we are different, and you might have a totally different experience than me. But why prescribe a drug that is for nerve pain for sleep? I just don't understand.

[Coralrose5 in reply to dore13]

I think it works for other purposes as well, such as sleep.

[dore13 in reply to Coralrose5]

I hope it works, unfortunately, the only way you will know is by trying it. That is what stinks, because everyone interacts so differently with medicines! I wish you luck!

[Coralrose5 in reply to dore13]

Thank you.

[Quest4peace]

It has been working for me ... I’m on 300mg and helps with sleep and anxiety. No side effects. No grogginess in the morning. I hope the increased dosage helps you

[fallen_leaf]

I also take 300 mg for anxiety and sleep as my anxiety comes up at night. I tried 100 then 200 and 300 was the right dose. My psychiatrist says is safe to go up to 400mg. My mom was prescribed it for nerve pain and it first it gave her very vivid dreams but then the side effects subsided and she is fine with it.

[Hidden]

I have used 50mg full pack for fibromyligia and it has good effect equal to or may be somewhat less than pregablin but dosage of pregablin was even high for me compared to gabapentlin due to stomach issues that's why I left it. Dulextine on the other hand has no effect on me inspite it's highest dosage was hardly 60mg once per day as I can remember. Only edge Gabapentlin gave me was my retless legs were better.

[Lm92]

The first time I took gabapentin was when I had shingles and nerve pain afterwards. It helped me stay sane because my pain was so bad I was almost ready to just give in to it. The 6 months I was on it, I had the absolute best sleep of my life and through a very stressful time, I had almost zero anxiety (very rare for me). The main side effects I experienced were unsteadiness (I always felt like I was tripping up on my own 2 feet), vivid dreams but no nightmares, and a bit of temporary short term memory loss (like I wouldn't remember little things when the medication was in my system). Please keep in mind that I was taking 300 mg 3 times a day (so 900 mg per day), so my dose was much higher than what you're taking. Also note that I struggle with SEVERE depression and never once did I feel my depression was exacerbated by it, nor did it contribute to any suicidal thoughts. I understand what the previous poster was trying to warn of, but here we have to remember that when you're under a psychiatrist or doctor's care, they know your history and they know your mentality. If they felt that it wasn't safe for your situation, they wouldn't prescribe it. As you are only taking it once per day, and at bedtime, I don't see any reason not to try it. Just be cognizant of how you feel when you wake up and of the quality of the sleep it helps you get.

[ealissam]

I’ve been on 300 mg for years and take it at night. You do want to be careful driving because it can make you feel sleepy. I hope that it helps you to sleep. I’ve not noticed any side effects.

[Coralrose5]

Well I tried the 200mg dose last night. I just woke up. I slept more than I would have without it, but for some reason I can’t fall asleep earlier than 1am (this is something I’ve been experiencing for weeks so it’s not directly related to the Gabapentin). I took it at 10 pm. I’m going to try taking it earlier tonight. I had vivid dreams but not nightmares, just really active dreams. I have a slight headache right now. But it’s worth the sleep because I’ve only been able to sleep 2-3 hours and I just got 6.5.

[Toni617]

Yes, i was prescribed this med as well but it did the opposite! I am problems however, with many meds that are supposed to help you sleep but keep me awake instead. Hopefully it will work for you. Good luck!