Gabapentine, Depression, Side effects - shouldn't have Googled? Worried

[Pother]

I've just been prescribed Gabapentine for a trapped nerve. Googling has really rather worried me - so many side-effects! Particularly worried about the psychological side-effects:

Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal thinking, amnesia, depression, hostility, confusion, emotional liability, anxiety, nervousness, amnesia, insomnia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mental impairment
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hallucinations 
Frequency not reported: Suicidal behavior and ideation, hypomania[Ref]

I have a history of depression, and only came off ADs a few months ago.

Beginning to wonder whether it's worth the risk. Maybe I can just live with the pain (and Naproxen plus Omeprazole) until it settles down or gets treated.

[Fairylea]

It was the only thing that worked for me when I had severe and persistent nerve pain in my back. It was literally like a miracle drug and I had no side effects at all (as opposed to amitryptiline which I took for several weeks and felt utterly wretched on). I would definitely give it a try. It took about a week for me to start to feel better.

[JellyBabiesSaveLives]

Sent me to sleep for a week. But worked straight away for the pain. If I go up to more than 4 a day, I get horrid anxiety, racing mind, jitters. But on 4, its fine. Which is odd as they prescribe it as a med for anxiety!

There aren't any serious medications out there that don't have a list of side effects as long as your arm.

[MilibandStoleMySonsName]

Different drugs affect people differently, fairylea found gabapentin worked but hated amitriptyline and I'm the other way round. Actually gabapentin did work but it made my mood crash and I became tolerant to each level of dosage very quickly.
Amitriptyline works for me, however, it makes me tired and if I had to go to work I don't know how I'd cope.

All you can do is try it, be aware of the side effects and don't be afraid of going back to your gp to try something else.

[Pother]

If you find it affects your mood or thinking, do those effects stop when you stop taking the gabapentine? GP said I had to gradually work up to 3 x daily. Can you just stop, or do you have to tail off, too?

[MilibandStoleMySonsName]

I, and please note this is my personal experience, had a couple of really bad days a few day after starting and at each increase and needed someone with me then I'd feel ok again. I persisted because it worked even if only for a couple of months before needing a higher dose.

In America it's called Neurontin and there's some excellent research out there.

You may be fine on it, I do tend to have a lot of side effects no matter what drug I'm on.
If you are worried go back to your gp and discuss it before starting it.

[pother]

My mind is well and truly blown.

I've been taking Gabapentine for four days, and I already feel completely different. So much less pain! I can move (relatively) easily. I don't freeze up. And the only side effect so far has been an aching throat.

Oh I hope it continues this way.

[MilibandStoleMySonsName]

I'm so pleased for you that it works.