Gabapentin As Sleep Aid

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For the past 2 years I have been using a cpac machine to sleep but lately I will wake up 5 or more times a night. My doctor prescribe medication for RLS, but it did not work, now he has prescribed Gabapentin 300 mg to help me sleep. What I have been reading about the medication doesn't include anything about taking it for sleeping.

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1

I was just given a prescription for gabapentin 300mg 90 minutes before bedtime. Can increase 300mg every night to a max of 1200. This increase is weekly. I have symptoms of restless leg syndrome but my problem is much more than RLS. I have heavy legs and problems with balance. I was on Requip with some help to the symptoms but developed compulsive gambling problem. Is anyone else in a similar situation or have any advice for me as to what to expect. I have had this problem for over 5 years. It started with just kinda stubbing your toe as I walked and progressed to turning to walk a certain direction and my upper body moved but my legs did not follow. Things like stepping up on a curb became something to think about and prepare for before I attempted it. My legs and ankles tire easily. The nuerologist just tells me there are some things we do not know and this is one of them? I have had MRI from head to toe and no results. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

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2

my friend has myopathy sounds just like your symptoms

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3

I am on Gabapentin 400mg 3x day, it is for nerve pain etc. doc prob. thinks it is your nerves in your legs causing the sleep problems

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4

Iwas put on gabapentin for suffering from sciatica, they are used to treat the aggrivated nerve endings. they dont do anything for sleep, as I also get other pills for this.

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5

This is an anticonvulsant medication that is also used to treat certain types of nerve pain.

Read more:

https:/­/­www.medschat.com/­wiki/­Gabapentin/­

Common side effects may include: nausea, drowsiness, dizziness and dry mouth.

Does anyone have any questions?

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6

My doctor prescribed 300mg Gabapentin for neourapathy. It did nothing for the neourapathy but sure helps me sleep, SO I am still taking it. Two every evening and I sleep like a baby. He said it is not addictive. Don't know what I would do without it. Better than sleeping pills.

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7

I was given this medication to help sleep, my doctor said 300mg at bedtime. I'm 50yrs old, no health problem but asthma. I took it for the 1st time last nite and it did nothing for me. Took to the blogs and now I'm mad as hell. Why would he give me this and I only have a problem sleeping? Back to sleep meds over the counter. We need a legal suit.

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8

I've been on Gabapentin, two 300mg tablets 3x a day for 3 months for extensive nerve damage in my leg. It seems to be working. My RLS is intermittent and it really isn't too bad but when it really kicks in, no pun intended, it flops all over the place. I have noticed that it hasn't been acting up when I sleep which can keep me up. I've also been told that Gabapentin can help with insomnia. I don't think it does a thing. I've had horrible insomnia for years and this doesn't help me sleep at all. I'm on another medication that finally does help my insomnia. I too have not seen anywhere on legitimate medication websites where it states in the "what this drug treats" that it treats insomnia. One of the side effects listed is "sleepiness" but in my opinion it doesn't make me drowsy/sleepy at all.

My new psychiatrist said in her words that they throw this drug at patients for a myriad of medical conditions such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, mood change, chronic pain, drug and alcohol withdrawal, PTSD and what it's originally prescribed for, seizures, anti-convulsants, RLS, shingles, etc. it's been described as the "Snake Oil of the 20th Century." I've been on a variety of prescription drugs for anxiety, PTSD, depression and the psychiatrist said that this drug may help with all of those conditions. Thus far it appears to help with the nerve damage, it does absolutely nothing for my insomnia.

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9

This is an old question but I may help someone else. I was given this for burning tongue syndrome. I only take one 300 mg pill at night every 2 days. Because it knocks me out. I sleep deeply on the nights I take it, and I feel groggy for a few hours when I wake up. My tongue feels numb instead of burning with this medication. So it does seem to take away the burning feeling. For me it lasts about 48 hours. This medication stays in your body a long time. I cannot even imagine taking as much as some people do and taking it all day long. I would be a zombie.

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10

A Gabapentina 300 mg, é um medicamento indicado como um analgésico, para determinados tipos de 'dores intensas' e moderadas; porém, em uso 'off-label', é um excelente 'indutor do sono'; promovendo uma sonolência gradual e muito semelhante ao sono natural.

Google Translate (may not be 100% accurate):

Gabapentin 300 mg is a medicine indicated as an analgesic for certain types of 'severe' and moderate pain; however, in 'off-label' use, it is an excellent 'sleep inducer'; promoting gradual drowsiness and very similar to natural sleep.

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11

I'm on gebapentin 300mg in the morning 300mg in the afternoon 900mg before bedtime. I have suffered from a hematoma in the spinal cord back in Dec 2011, had to learn to walk , go to the restroom etc. After being paralyzed from the chest down til they found and removed the blood clot. I now suffer from neuropathy and the pain in my back where the blood clot was is insane. For 5 yrs nothing has helped me sleep except the gebapentin now helps my sleep very well. But does nothing for the pain.

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12

I have been taking Gabapentin for years and have become a compulsive gambler. When I'm in a casino i can't stop, I've drained my bank account and take out on all my credit cards.

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13

I have been taking it for about three weeks. Initial dose was 100mg in the morning and 100mg at night. I could tell a huge difference in my sleep with 100mg. The doc told me to not take the morning dose and take two 100mg capsules at night. I take my night meds around 5PM. Not only do I sleep better (depends on how you describe better) I am feeling like crap until the next afternoon. I would described the feeling as dazed, groggy and edgy. Also I can't tell a difference in my legs either. At the next visit I will tell him it's not working and doing more harm than good. Don 't need more drugs at my age, need less.

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