Gabapentin and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2021

For Insomnia "Taking this drug, for me, was like taking the tiger by the tail. And I got eaten in the end. Lol, to be less dramatic, I used 300 to 600 mg of gabapentin for sleep every night for fourteen months. It worked like a dream and I thought my lifelong debilitating sleep issues were over. No. It stopped working. I sleep even worse on the drug now than I used to sleep without it. And when I don’t take it, I have complete insomnia—not even a doze all night. I know I could increase my dose and maybe be okay for another six months or another year. But I have to get off of it sometime if it’s just going to stop working periodically. I can’t increase the dose forever. I wonder how long it will take to withdraw? I wonder if I’ll ever sleep well again? Maybe I’ll update this post or post again when I find out."

• Zen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 23, 2019

For Insomnia "I'm taking 1200 mg of gabapentin for severe back pain. Since taking the drug, I find I talk all the time, like I'm so hyper. People ask me what I'm on. My major complaint is I can't sleep. I'm literally up for days at a time. I need sleep. Does anyone else suffer this terrible problem? The doctor says keep taking them."

• Pac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

For Neuropathic Pain "After a severe arm injury and three surgeries to repair my shattered bones, the nerve pain was extreme. There was so much damage that opioids like oxycodone did nothing. Even morphine didn't help! Gabapentin at a high dosage - 2400 mg a day - has helped me a lot. Yes, I still have strange sensations, some numbness and stinging in my arm, but the nerve pain is not controlling my life. Side effects are not too bad - I can drive. No nausea, no dizziness. I do sleep much longer. Warning: If your dose isn't working, you might need it adjusted. I started on 900 mg a day and had no relief. The higher dose finally did the trick. Good luck to all, I never expected to be living in chronic pain, and now I know how hard this is."

• Fli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2014

For Insomnia "I was on and happy using SEROQUEL for sleep and was highly skeptical about trying GABA. I tried many other medicines to combat insomnia and they all proved not to work. I was pleasantly surprised how GABA worked. It helps keep me in very deep sleep for 6 hours. After that I wake up, but can easily get to sleep. The dreams are very vivid, but not unpleasant. I had to tweak my dosage however. I'm now at 1200 mg at night and sleep with total ease. Full disclosure, my insomnia has roots in anxiety, so this medicine proved to be effective because it helps with Anxiety too. I'm happy!"

• Ren...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

For Insomnia "Taking gabapentin to ease withdrawal from the last of a clonazepam withdrawal, 5 weeks ago. Worked so great for sleep! Deep sleep, REM, rested in the morning, no wake-ups at night. Suddenly stopped working for sleep 2 nights ago. Severe insomnia, so I upped from 300 to 600 mg at night. Still no sleep until 4 am. Then only 4.5 hours. So disappointed because sleep makes it possible to handle the rest. Has been good for other symptoms of withdrawal, but"

• ecg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2017

For Insomnia "I was put on 300 mg at bedtime for better sleep with spinal pinched nerve, along with chiropractor care. At first, the sleep effect was awesome - no crazy dreams like trazodone, and no super quick tolerance built like Ambien, just good and regular sleep. However, after a month and going up to 600 mg for nerve pain, it bizarrely started to cause insomnia! The worst part about this med is the brain-erasing characteristic. I thought Ambien damaged my memory, but this far surpassed that because it lasted in the day to the point where I couldn't remember where things were or what day it was. My father takes it for spinal stenosis too and has no issues. Also, the posts about withdrawal syndrome are very real! It was hard to wean off."

• You...
• July 22, 2010

For Hot Flashes "I have been taking gabapentin 600mg, 3 times a day for the past 2 years for hot flashes. I started taking gabapentin ER for a research study on hot flashes. It was a miracle drug for me. The hot flashes almost stopped completely after just 1 week of taking this medicine. The study lasted for 6 months, and then I was taken off cold turkey. The withdrawal was horrible. Hot flashes, couldn't sleep, and just overall irritable to say the least. I went to my regular doctor and was prescribed gabapentin 600mg. Again the hot flashes subsided. It is the only medication that I take. The best part of taking this medication is that my energy level has skyrocketed. At 49 years old, I feel 30."

• Col...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 10, 2018

For Insomnia "I was prescribed gabapentin in 2002 for neuropathy. It didn’t ease the neuropathy, so my doctor wanted to keep increasing the dosage. I declined the increase but asked to keep taking the 300 mg because I was sleeping so much better. I’m still taking the 300 mg plus 3 mg of melatonin for insomnia. (I also must avoid alcohol, sugar, and caffeine after 5 PM)"

• Fre...
• July 27, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "Amazing. Have severe fibromyalgia pain as well as chronic cervical spondylosis, following a failed neck surgery. Tried everything, was put on pregabalin but it stopped working & so expensive. Dr. switched to Gabapentin (dirt cheap) at low doses below 600mg just caused sedation did nothing, but at higher doses 900 mg (at night only) my pain melted away from 9 to 1. No longer sedates me but clears brain fog and restores energy and motivation. It's also done wonders for uplifting my depressed mood (a real happy pill). Some insomnia, but I need far less sleep & no longer fatigued. Side effects are some occasional tremors & dizziness, myoclonus, when it's time to re-dose, but nothing bad. A miracle medicine. Great for chronic fatigue."

• nee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2020

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been on gabapentin for 2 1/2 to 3 years now. At first, it worked great, I am up to maximum dose a day and still no help. So, my doctor also put me on myaplex too. At first, I thought we finally found the right dose. Now, a year later, it is back, and I can't sleep and can't function during the day because it is so bad. I belong to the RLS foundation, and they still don't have any help. Please, I'm begging, if anyone can give advice on what to do, I would be eternally grateful."

• Anonymous
• June 2, 2017

For Anxiety "In a chemical dependency program, I suffered from anxiety and insomnia. Gabapentin saved my life: 300 mg, 3 times a day, and 50 mg of Seroquel at night for sleep. I finally feel normal for the first time since my early 20s. I am 42. Best sleep ever: deep sleep with full dreams. Gabapentin made me feel a bit foggy for the first 2 weeks, but after settling in, I function fine, with normal energy and normal reactions to life. It has stabilized my appetite as well, I have actually lost 20 pounds in the past 6 weeks."

• Mor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2017

For Neuropathic Pain "My behavioral health specialist (a physician's assistant) had recommended I try Gabapentin for many years, before I finally agreed. My life has improved, plain and simple! Originally prescribed in an attempt to address my chronic insomnia issues, in that respect (like all the other traditional & nontraditional Rxs/otc aids I've tried), Gabapentin did not help, or at least directly. It has helped with my chronic nerve pain & occasional restless legs syndrome, absolutely immeasurably. I could feel a gentle change down my sciatic nerve within the first couple of nights (100 mg, bid, initially). I've been on it for over 6 months (currently 200 mg, bid). If I forget to take it, I feel like I used to all the time: achy joints, shaky/spazzy/tense legs when lying down, slight chest discomfort (like an almost panic attack), numbness/tingling in my extremities, purple feet in the shower, just arthritic really-which makes me not a pleasant person & not want to do anything. Gabapentin has been really wonderful & a positive drug in my life, which I cannot say about many I've tried. If you skip it, you will feel like a truck hit you (which is how I used to feel all the time). Other things I take daily: • Potassium supplement, helpful against muscle cramps • Vitamin D3 (3k iu's), helpful for mood • Propranolol (10 mg, 2-3x day), helpful against anxiety & involuntary phobic 'fight or flight' reactions."

• Mdd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2017

For Insomnia "I also have been prescribed gabapentin for neuropathy and most recently for 2 herniated discs in my lower back causing sciatica. The first month was fine, and the only side effect was blurred vision and dizziness. Going on month 6 and having horrible insomnia, memory loss, lack of coordination, pain, depression, anxiety. Affecting my job, cannot stand more than 5 minutes, 2-4 hours of sleep max per night. I'm miserable."

• MM1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2022

For Anxiety "Here is the truth: Gabapentin may work wonders for you. It might help you function, and it may relieve a lot of your anxiety. However, here is the biggest problem: What if your life becomes a living nightmare when you try getting off of this drug? No doctor ever told me that experiencing withdrawal symptoms was even possible. I took 300 mg for two months and then 600 mg for a week, and when I tried to stop, my body and mind both freaked out. I experienced insomnia, muscle spasms, jerks, akathisia, etc. Again, no physician told me that this was even a possibility. So maybe you will be lucky and have no issues at all. But is it worth the gamble? I would say no. Please be careful with this medicine."

• Adv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2013

For Migraine "An orthopedic specialist prescribed Gabapentin to relieve the pain associated with a muscular/spine issue I'm working through. I have had migraines since I was 5 years old, and one dose of this medication brought on one of the worst migraines I've had in years. It also made me wide awake at bedtime, instead of sleepy, as well as dizzy and nauseous."

• spi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2015

Gabapentin for Restless Legs Syndrome "My restless leg syndrome results in cramp-like pains that nothing seems to help. Until I took 300 mg of Gabapentin. It definitely took care of the pain, but it left me feeling drunk the next morning! I was staggering when I walked and had great difficulty waking up. This lasted for several hours after I woke up. Thankfully, this only happened the first couple of times that I took Gabapentin. Unfortunately, it was only effective at 300 mg for about two weeks. I was supposed to move up to two capsules (600 mg total) after the first week, but I hadn't out of fear of the side effects and at first it seemed unnecessary. Once the pain came back, I added the 2nd capsule and the tired, groggy feeling lasted all day! I'm not going to keep taking it."

• Hot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2018

For Hot Flashes "I had been on bioidentical hormones for 8 years. Life was great until I was diagnosed with PR/ER+ HER2- stage 1 breast cancer, had a bilateral mastectomy, and hot flashes, sleepless nights came back immediately. My oncologist just recently prescribed gabapentin, it is unbelievable how quickly the hot flashes have stopped. I pray it continues to work, I can now get a good night's sleep! Give it a try!!"

• Mic...
• December 21, 2016

For Anxiety "I am taking this medicine for severe anxiety and worry. I've tried many other medicines with little benefit, and my doctor said that gabapentin works well in patients where the traditional SSRIs don't work. She was right. Within three days, I found significant relief from my symptoms. The only downside is insomnia. Not sure this is even a common side effect, but I haven't slept in like five days. Hoping I don't have to get off of the medicine because it is really helping me, but man, am I tired."

• 13b...
• February 7, 2019

For Insomnia "I have to say this drug saved my life. I had extreme anxiety and insomnia from an ear issue in May, and nothing was working. I finally started 400 mg of gabapentin 5 months ago. All is going well with anxiety and sleep, but recently my sleep is a little unpredictable. My doctor says I can take up to 600 mg per day. I take 100 mg at 10:00 am, 100 mg at 4:00, 100 mg at 9:00 pm, and 100 mg at 1:00 or 2:00 am. I'm thinking I need to up my sleep time doses. Does anyone have experience with this?"

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2018

For Insomnia "I was recently prescribed Gabapentin for horrible nerve pain that I’ve had since my 360 back surgery. It did eventually help the pain somewhat, but I am unable to sleep at bedtime. I take it twice a day, 100 mg. I don’t feel anxious or jittery or euphoric taking it at bedtime, but cannot sleep!! Does anyone else have this problem?"

• Fre...
• August 5, 2021

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I was drinking about a 750ml a night and then a couple quarts on the weekend. I had 4 seizures due to alcohol withdrawal, have been in detox 4 times, hospitalized a bunch, and had severe liver cirrhosis and kidney failure. I tried naltrexone but just kept drinking, tried therapy, anti-depressants, and some AA meetings, but nothing helped. When not intoxicated, I had horrible anxiety, insomnia, depression, and thought about killing myself. I drank not to feel happy but to basically survive. I finally saw an amazing, compassionate doctor during my latest hospitalization from withdrawal. He prescribed me gabapentin and I have been sober 6 months. Gabapentin has changed my life. I never thought I could go this long without drinking. I take it 3 times a day at 300mg, and I’m ridiculously happy. My anxiety is basically gone, and I can sleep again. I feel almost normal in social situations. Gone is the feeling of impending doom. I would highly recommend this to anyone, it was a miracle drug for me."

• Bre...
• June 9, 2019

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I believe I have the worst case of RLS in the universe! I was taking pramipexole, and it worked great, but it seems it stopped being as effective after several years! I would wake up almost every hour and be up an hour, so the doctor started me on gabapentin today! I took one 2 hours before bed. I dozed off but woke up soon and have not been able to go back to sleep since! She gave me samples, and I don't remember how many she said I could take! I ended up taking two more over an 8-hour period! No relief yet!!! I don't think I've slept more than one hour altogether tonight!! Is gabapentin something that has to get into your system for longer than one day in order to help?! I was so hoping and praying this was my miracle! After many months of deprived sleep, I'm very exhausted!! I just took a pramipexole! I hope it's okay to mix the two!!! I just need sleep! I'm so miserable with these legs... and it feels like my whole body has RLS!!! Thank you for listening!"

• dre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I used 1800 mg per day for several years while in recovery from opiates, then alcohol abuse. I was shocked to find extremely minimal withdrawal symptoms on a very fast, doctor-prescribed and monitored taper. The taper began at 900 mg per day and went down 300 mg every 3 days, going from 300 mg to 0. I've had a few sleep disturbances, but I experienced those from time to time on the 1800 mg per day prescription as well."

• tiz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2017

For Anxiety "My doctor put me on this to help with my anxiety symptoms, which include a tight and sore jaw, tight and sore shoulders, and a tight and sore stomach. Not only did it take all that away, it helps me to sleep. I used to sleep great and didn't have these anxiety symptoms before my gastric sleeve surgery, but ever since, I have developed insomnia and these anxiety symptoms. This has been a lifesaver for me!"

• Dre...
• July 19, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have struggled for 4 years with anxiety and depression. The docs doped me up on benzos since no antidepressant would work. I finally had a breakdown and have been off work for 3 1/2 months. Gabapentin has turned me around in a day. I'm slowly increasing my dose to 1800 mg. Remeron has helped work well on the depression and sleep and lack of appetite. Plus my GI issue. The combo works for me."