... nightmares... do these decrease in time? I realize it is one of the side effects but really disturbing. Did not get a good sleep.Thanks
Just started gabapentin 2 days ago. Last nite had 2 very vivid dreams, border-line?
Question posted by gapetell on 6 Jan 2012
Last updated on 17 June 2018 by Skillets
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3 Answers
Skillets
17 June 2018
I myself.have been using gabapentin 600mg every morning. I started having nightmares within two weeks. I contacted my primary care physician and told her about the nightmares. She stated gabapentin will not give you nightmares. I stopped taking gabapentin on my own, nightmares went away. Should my physician be better informed about side affects of this drug?
mafzal89
18 April 2017
I have tried many drugs to prevent migraines, and recently was also prescribed Gabapentin to stop facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia). Three medications have given me bad dreams: Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, and Gabapentin.
Amitriptyline was the WORST. I had horrible realistic night terrors, and wasn't willing to wait it out. If you have horrendous nightmares, I would either try a different medication or use cannabis (medical marijuana) before bed. Cannabis suppresses dreams altogether. What I did is switch to Nortriptyline and use cannabis before bed for about a month until my body got used to the medication. I also started taking the medication at 7 PM instead of right before bed. Now, I can tolderate Nortriptyline well and don't have bad dreams very often. If I do, they are very mild (i.e. Had a dream that I was at a dance competition and forgot the choreography... lol)
For Gabapentin I'm going to try the same method. My Gabapentin bad dreams only seem to happen if I take the medication too late into the evening.
I hope these suggestions help!
Inactive
7 Jan 2012
Hi gapetell,
I also take gabapentin, and my nightmares went away within two weeks of taking it, so worry not.
But, if you keep having them call your doc, maybe there is different med that won't give you nightmares.
Best wishes,
sweet lemon
gapetell
7 Jan 2012
Yes, I will give it time. Thanks sweet lemon for your response!
Inactive
7 Jan 2012
My pleasure, hope you didn't have any nightmares last night!!
gapetell
7 Jan 2012
NO nightmares last night. WooHoo!
mommys3monkeys
6 Aug 2012
I just started taking Gabapentin a month ago & was wondering GAPETELL if your dreams ever let up. Mine started within a week of taking it & haven't let up yet & most of them are disturbing. I am praying they either stop all together or at least ease up in frequency & severity.
Brent petersen1
19 Aug 2016
I've been taking gabapentin for a little more than 2 weeks and having very vivid nightmares that keep waking me up and second I go back to sleep the same one starts again or a different one. Having about 3 a night or more. Kinda disturbing. Any suggestions?
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Further information
- Gabapentin uses and safety info
- Gabapentin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Gabapentin (detailed)
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