gabapentin for Anxiety

[Geodog]

hi, I searched healthunlocked for info on using gabapentin for anxiety. My Doc has prescribed 300mg a day for anxiety. I am looking for other folks experiences good and bad for this drug, particularly for anxiety. I see lots of comments regarding RLS and chronic pain, but few regarding anxiety and gaba.

Thanks

[Geodog]

thanks

[Frankie24]

Honestly, and I really hope it works for you but I never found it helpful for anxiety or any other health condition such as neuropathy that it was prescribed for. I do wish you the best

[Geodog in reply to Frankie24]

thanks, at this point, i am willing to try anything. I appreciate your reply.

[Heidi_SF]

Hi Geodog-

Just over a week ago I started Gabapentin 200mg three times daily for severe anxiety and depression, and panicky feelings, resulting from a loss in September. I've had major depression several times, and trouble with antidepressant and mood stabilizer side effects, including some that actually worsened my depression and/or made me suicidal. My first several days on Gabapentin made me feel kind of spacey, drugged, speedy. But beginning yesterday I actually started to feel a positive change. My anxiety had been so bad that it completely overwhelmed me. Now I feel some peace and have control over my negative thoughts. My body feels relaxed. The grief is a healthy grief now.

One odd thing is that it caused insomnia the first 3 or 4 days. Normally people have the opposite effect. I think it's prescribed for sleep.

Give it a try. Good luck.

[Shannonwoman in reply to Heidi_SF]

Hi! I was wondering if the meds are still working for you?

[Nothing_but_books]

If you want my experience, and I think that's what you're asking, it's as bad as it can be. It destroyed my life overnight. It took my vision, my hearing, my balance, and it disfigured me for life. I think it's the worst drug ever invented.

Oh, LOL, it didn't help me any either. 🤣🤣🤣

[mcgeen42]

My psychiatrist is starting me on Gabapentin for my panic disorder and I'm curious how your experience ended up, are you still on it?

[Blue_81 in reply to mcgeen42]

I have used it for sleeping and it works very well for me.

[mathematics]

It has been recommended to my husband for his MS although at moment he is having amitriptyline to control the symptoms.

[Mrspjsmom]

I take gabapentin at night for chronic pain and to help me sleep. But I have never heard of it being used for anxiety. If it doesn't seem to be working I would talk to your doctor and ask for a different medication.

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

My vet prescribed it for my husky. Cause she has anxiety to loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms and long car rides to the vet. It seems to make her sleepy but she's cheerful the next morning. I guess it helps to with her bump hip. She's 15yrs old and has arthritis in her hip. She doesn't seem to get as nervous and settles down a bit more.

This info probably doesn't help ya, huh? 😅

[OldestSibling]

I took gabapentin for anxiety for years. I first took it as needed and it helped calm me down mostly when I was upset and crying. I began taking once per day for a few panic attacks I was having. I then began having frequent severe panic attacks and it was completely useless for that. A psychiatrist I am seeing in a partial hospitalization program took me off of it. She then put me on Ativan. It was the only thing that prevented my attacks from happening. I will eventually take this when needed