Anyone Using Gabapentin Here for Anxiety?

[Janet7]

I was just started on Gabapentin for anxiety (not nerve pain) - my psychiatrist and my internist recommended it. I have been on it for about six weeks, and it has really helped with my anxiety (along with other meds I am taking.)

I wanted to ask about experiences with this medication, as I have been reading about all sorts of gruesome side effects that can occur, such as massive weight gain, hair loss, vision changes, etc. My MD and psychiatrist do not feel that these side effects are common, but the patient reviews online tell a very different story, although many people feel it is a really beneficial drug.

I would appreciate any information about what it has been like for you to be on Gabapentin. Thank you!

[Dahila]

I was on it for 3 years but i quit it, I gained like 4 stones on it..... but it helped to put my life in order, and for my back too. there are not side effect beside weight gain at least I had none and I am old woman. My psychiatrist is trying to convince me that gabapentin is not causing weight gain. It does for everyone, they simply want to write the script, they get paid for it

[gypsylee]

Hey there :)

I was on Pregabalin (Lyrica) for pain a while back. It's very similar to Gabapentin. I didn't really like how it made me feel - sort of dizzy and weird - but it did help my sleep, in that I stayed asleep for longer. This was during a pretty full-on stressful time, and I found it useful getting that extra sleep. I wasn't really on it long enough to notice much weight gain but I believe it would cause that because my mother takes it and she eats like a pig lol.

Cheers,
Gypsy x

[Dahila]

exactly, like a pig, you get this unnatural hunger, and you have to eat, I took sweet two months to ween it off. I do not think now that it helped so much, just a bit. it is overrated

[Jazzums]

I used to took it for anxiety. But it doesn't help as much as Ativan (a benzo). The benzos are superior, but yeah they're very hard to get off of.

[alan6672]

Hi new to forum but this caught my eye. I have been using the drug for 10 years now. Not for anxiety but for nerve pain in my legs. It has no side effects for me (every case could be different) However it does not help my anxiety.

[Dahila]

alan It helped me for my back too, I have injury in my spine, but after I guit taking it and lost a lot of weight , my back does not hurt a lot. I was on 900 mg a day