[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Hello everybody! I've been on Gabapentin about 2 weeks. I'm up to 1200mg as of two days ago (600mg x 2 or I can break it up to have a dose in the middle of the day). My anxiety is still bad along with obsessing over stupid stuff. My sleep is better (as you guys know, I deal with terrible insomnia). Those who take it, what dose are you on with your other meds, and how long until you noticed a difference with anxiety, etc? I'm really trying to give it a chance since I'm running out of options and that has me scared. I have such bad reactions to drugs or they don't work. Also, I had gastric bypass many years ago and it's hard to know how much I digest of my meds.

[raspberrytorte]

Hello hashi! I was wondering how the gabby was working out for you!

I take 600mg three times a day. For me it worked immediately and felt very similar to clonazepam, like if benzos had a mom.

I don't know if it's like that for everyone though of course.

I'd give it more time. It helps me so much with my anxiety, more than any benzo ever did!

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

Hello hashi! I was wondering how the gabby was working out for you!

I take 600mg three times a day. For me it worked immediately and felt very similar to clonazepam, like if benzos had a mom.

I don't know if it's like that for everyone though of course.

I'd give it more time. It helps me so much with my anxiety, more than any benzo ever did!

Thanks for wanting to know Raspberry! So, you are taking about 600mg more than I am. My pdoc said people can take up to like 3000mg. I like to take the least amount of drugs that I can. I did feel mellow the first week, but that has kind of worn off. Sigh. I'm still obsessing really bad and my OCD is still bad. I do miss Cymbalta for that. . Maybe it will get better each day! Fingers crossed! Thanks for sharing your regimen.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I take 600 twice and 900 at bedtime. I haven't been taking the 2 600 doses since I've only slept since being home. The nighttime dose makes me pretty sleepy (but that is combined with Clozaril which also makes me sleepy).I've not fallen asleep this easily in a long time and I hope it lasts.

I'm up at 4:15 now but that is b/c I slept until late afternoon yesterday. I'm going to get back to sleep now but I saw your question.

In the hospital my 2 doses of 600 helped a great deal (one of those was taken with clozaril which is probably why I took a daily morning nap) and the 1000 mg plus clozaril once there was enough of it to help (now 900 for convenience) usually put me to sleep pretty quickly. The first night I fell asleep at 11:30 I didn't believe myself. Then next night it was a bit earlier and when I woke 2 hours later and needed to pee I thought it must be time for my 6:30 AM meds and was shocked that it was 12:30 AM. I still can't believe I"m sleeping, whatever meds should get credit.

[scatterbrained04]

I usually take 800mg just at bedtime. My pdoc writes my Rx though for up to 1200mg per day. He said I can take 400mg during the day if I need it. Or 1200mg at night. He gives me a lot of control as to how much I take and when. I wouldn't say my anxiety is completely under control all the time, but this works well enough for me. I'm **** about not being on meds that are going to mess me up congnitively. I like the gabapentin because it doesn't mess me up but takes enough of the edge off when needed.

[scatterbrained04]

I'm laughing because it starred out a.n.a.l !

[Ocean Swimmer]

It's the same med as Nurontin right?
I've read some are fine with it. I liked it as it enhanced the pain meds.

But for me it was so horribly hard to get off of, I'll never consider taking it again. I think my regular dose was 1200 mg.

[jacky8807]

Like raspberry said it works pretty instant for anxiety. It can be taken prn dosent need a build up
It works for anxiety but maybe your obsessing is coming from something else.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Maybe my anxiety is just plain bad. I've dealt with it my whole life (my first memory at 4 years old was worry). It's at the core of everything for me. Cymbalta did seem to really help with it and my OCD, but since it causes mania, I had to quit it. I'm just not finding a remedy for all of this yet. I know I'm new to this dx, but I really thought I would have found a magic cocktail by now. I'm so scared I'm not going to. I'm staying on it and hopefully the next few weeks will make a difference.

[jacky8807]

Many ppl here have hell on wheels for anxiety, I am one of them
For my worst anxiety only benzo's help but I know those aren't for everyone.
If my BP is under control I don't have anxiety but for others it a separate issue on top of bp.
Hope u find your right cocktail soon

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I'm allergic to all Benzo's except Xanax. The problem with Xanax is that it has a short life span and is really only good for panic. My pdoc would really like something that has a long life span but I've ended up allergic to them. Valium gives me a rash, Klonopin bruises my whole body. Temazepam wires me! I have such atypical responses to meds and that is not helping me find the right cocktail.