Looking for answers

[Shutterbug65]

Anyone taking gabapentin (nuerontin) for anxiety? I would love to know if it worked or about any side effects. I just started 300mg last week. And so far I haven’t noticed a difference.

Thanks

[Hollick]

gabapentin for anxiety, really? I never heard that?

[bonkers65]

I've been taking 600mg 3 times a day for about 4 years for anxiety and it does seem to help me SOME. Everybody's different though.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to bonkers65]

Thanks. That seems like a high dosage. I’ve been prescribed two 300mg capsules a day. To be honest I’m only taking one. I’m scared of starting a new med because I’ve been on so many.

[bonkers65 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I'm really not on that high a dose. If you Google it you will see that some people with nerve pain are on a still higher dose. Anyway I hope it helps you.

[Jonimo]

I was prescribed gabapentin for sciatica, and it did help quiet those nerve issues. I didn’t have anxiety at the time, but did develop chronic depression with suicidal obsessions. Finally, desperately seeking ways to stop the suicidal thoughts, I quit gabapentin. My head cleared in a couple days - no more overwhelming urge to off myself. Yes, it’s one of the possible ‘side effects.’

[thyroidmom84]

I am on a very small dose for headaches (200-300mg/day) and even that has helped with my anxiety. I was scared to take this one at first but I have been amazed by how many people I know who are on it for a variety of things. And I am on a very small dose but have not had side effects.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Thank you. It does help me to know that it helped with your anxiety. I just don’t wanna be on a high dose and become addicted.

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I think everyone worried about that and I am not big into taking a lot of pills if I don’t have to but I reached a point where I had to, my quality of life was diminished and help was needed. Look at it this way, if you were diabetic, you would take insulin so if you have anxiety, you need to take this right now. You are addressing a real medical problem.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to thyroidmom84]

That’s very true. For the last 18 years I’ve been on so many meds for anxiety and depression. Some worked, but then after awhile they no longer had an effect, and others didn’t work at all. And I think I’ve been on all of them. It seems my phychiatrist doesn’t know what to try anymore. I’m just tired of all of this.

[nicetry]

I’ve never heard of gabapentin for anxiety either. I take 900mg a day, but not for depression or anxiety, it was prescribed by my rheumatologist to quiet muscle and nerve pain.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to nicetry]

Me neither. However I’ve read that it’s being used to treat people with mood disorders. I think since I’ve been on so many meds through the years my phychiatrist wants to see if it works. Who knows. But I don’t want to be taking so many meds anyway.