Gabapentin for anxiety

T.,

Gabapentin, taken off label for anxiety is a good choice for many...

Of course, you won't know for sure how it will perform for you until you try...but generally speaking it is well tolerated, and may really help you in your anxiety management.:) So be optimistic.

Here is a good article if you are interested:

mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/06/22/gabapentin-for-anxiety-disorders-an-off-label-treatment/

Best wishes if you choose this Rx!

S.C.

Check again...it took me a couple of minutes to make it an active link

Let me know if it worked for you...it did for me...

S.C.

In my case, I am trying to soften the blow of anxiety from the results of coming off of 14 years of Paxil use. I stopped Paxil 9 months ago and had many withdrawal symptoms, but didn't get anxiety issues until 3 months ago. What I need is help with these new effects without getting back on an SSRI.

Another option is Buspirone. But it hasn't been mentioned by either p-doc I went to. I may need a 3rd opinion on what to take to help me get over the hump.

Yes, sorry, thank you so much. The article had a lot of positive feedback. It definitely makes me feel more comfortable trying it out. I already had a prescription for it, i just have been afraid to take anything. I've been doing CBT, and finding it very helpful, but when I get out of the blue attacks, it shows me I'm still possibly dealing with my Paxil withdrawals.

Coincidentally I took Omega fish oils the last two days and suddenly I had this crazy spike in anxiety. I am also looking at that as a possible bad reaction to the Omega 3 fish oils. Some people don't react to supplements the way others do. I am sensitive to many supplements since coming off the Paxil.

Scaredy - it seems like anxiety/panic. Sometimes when I'm walking outside, like taking my kids to school I'll get a small bout of dizziness (then it subsides after a few moments). Last night, I got dizzy in my kitchen, just watching a funny show while making some cookies. Started getting pounding heart, etc. Took a xanax and started to feel better.
I've been to a neurologist, a cardiologist and my GP to rule out other things. It's definitely anxiety issues, but whether it's due to being off of Paxil and having to cope with anxiety that was previously blunted, or if it's a withdrawal symptom (which is common - to have strong anxiety symptoms in SSRI withdrawal), is another story. But either way, finding a solution while I work through this is a must. I am likely going to try the Gabapentin, (which he's starting me on the lowest dosage and having me hold there to see if it works. If it does, i'll stay at the lowest dose (whether it's the initial dose 100mgx3 per day, or having to go to 200mg x 3 per day, etc). The key is finding the therapeutic dose that is the lowest amount.
I will probably try it over the weekend and see what happens.