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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by herpills on October 6, 2013, at 16:17:58
I started 300mg/day about a month ago. My understanding is that this is a really low dose, but I'm definitely feeling an improvement. After only a few days I was able to cut back on my Ativan, and now my goal is to get away from daily Ativan and only use it as needed. I was wondering for those who use gabapentin/Nuerontin for anxiety what your daily maintenance dose is? Thanks!
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 6, 2013, at 20:39:31
In reply to Best gabapentin dose for anxiety?, posted by herpills on October 6, 2013, at 16:17:58
I have Bipolar I w/psychotic features. Part of that involves a good bit of agitation and anxiety, both during and between episodes. Sooo...
...I take gabapentin @ 300/day, just like you. I tried 900/day to start with, but I was too sedated and weirdly "loopy." I think the 900/day in 3 doses is fairly standard when dealing with Bipolar I. Some people take considerably more, like grams per day of the stuff. I hear its very safe.
If you have good insurance, you may want to consider Lyrica. Its like Neurontin, only more potent, so I would think you could get more anxiety-relief with smaller doses and maybe that would be helpful in weaning yourself off daily use the Ativan. Just a suggestion...do what works, and what your doc advises, obviously.
Oh...and...B3 (I take the niacinamide version) helps anxiety, too. You couple it with C and a B-complex. Kinda sorta acts like a benzo, minus the sedation and cognitive issues. Some people use high doses (1.5 grams per day or more, in 3 doses) for anxiety, especially during a benzo taper. If you take niacin/niacinamide (they both work), be sure to take at least as much, if not more, C as you do B3. That prevents liver issues.
Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2013, at 9:58:37
In reply to Re: Best gabapentin dose for anxiety?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 6, 2013, at 20:39:31
I've heard a low dose will work. I guess you have to kind of play with the dose but sounds like you have found a good dose for you. Phillipa
Posted by b2chica on October 14, 2013, at 16:16:31
In reply to Re: Best gabapentin dose for anxiety?, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2013, at 9:58:37
i think it depends 1) of course individual bio-make up, but also 2) level of anxiety and if it has peaks in the day.
i had a friend that took 1-200mg/day to start and was fine, eventually got up to 300m TID.
Myself at my peak anxiety (time of year) i was taking around 1800/2100mg. Now i'm taking about 6-900mg/day. there are some days that i only take 300mg (1 pill).i did notice that for my average anxiety it worked like a charm...like now. but there were times when my anxiety was Very high and i ended up dopey AND still anxious.
so my advice would be to start low and go as needed. but keep an eye out if there are peaks of your anxiety.
wish you luck.
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