Does anyone have experience with Gabapentin used commonly even in animals off-label as well as humans to help with anxiety in seniors?

My mom is 79 and she takes a small dose of gabapentin (200mg) nightly and it helps her a lot with anxiety. She originally took it for nerve pain.

Also, I have heard that they suspect certain meds can cause causes dementia

But I think stress from pain or anxiety is really horrible for brain health also.

So my opinion is yes we do need to not just pop these pills needlessly, but they do help when needed

At 93 I would not worry about meds that could cause dementia, her comfort is more important at 93.

Be very careful with any medication for that problem, as we had one and it made her ten times worse, and sort of sent her a bit scatty, every time you try a new tablet, keep a very close eye on them for the first few days, night and day.

I have been taking Gabapentin for 10+ years. I mainly started it for fibromyalgia and persistent nerve pain in my legs at 300mg 4 times a day. Now I am taking 300mg @ 9 pills a day due to neuropathy in my feet and I have 2 pinched nerves in my back. No one has mentioned anything about increased dementia. Fortunately I have no drowsiness issues probably because of my high anxiety. Questions or comments welcome.

First and foremost, this is a question that is best addressed to the attending physian. That being said, experience with its use will vary but what is common is drowzyness. It comes with the medication. It will dull the impulse to respond urgently to make a trip the bathroom, You trade four or five trips for two or three and a better nights sleep. Post knee or hip replacement, this med will contribute to less pain stimulation at the surgical site and a better night's sleep. Some cancer patient are taking 600 mg three times a day for relief and sleep. Anxiety, rapid hand movemetns, frustration, unsettled behavior is a seroquel dose in small doses only as needed or you could be dealing with someone who is always sleepy, drowzy or worse. A competent nerologist who specializes in Dementia, the unbrella, is an excellent source of proper medication. But every day is an adventure.

My mom was prescribed that for back pain. She claimed it made her mouth dry, and while she always imagines side effects that is a listed potential side effect. Of course she could have read it and thought she had it

Also, she has been prescribed Celexa for anxiety. I dont know if it helped her or not but once again she quit taking it as she said she got side effects.

Gabapentin is mainly prescribed for the treatment of nerve damage pain. In high doses it does cause drowsiness. My PCP prescribed it for me for the treatment of neuropathy. It is news to me that it can cause dementia.

dnajaras: Quality of life is paramount.

Hubby has dementia, primary doctor had him on high dose of gabapentin for long time. Neurologist took him off and switched him to something for neuropathy. Said gabapentin was probably causing some of his problems, although I see no improvement.

Yes my wife took it for years primarily for her ms.

While it was prescribed for epilepsy, a doctor can prescribe a medication off label. When I worked in health care, that question would come up on other drugs which I had to dispense with treatment. The FDA has warnings but so are many black box warnings on meds still prescribed. Doctors do have a right to order but the manufacturer cannot make a new claim until a rigorous studies are completed.

You said it right in your last sentance about the line beween quality of life and preserving what is left (for longevity). If not prescribed and used, there may no longer be any other choice but to use something off label.

My husband had two amputations from diabetes a lower dose helped him cope better with his life changes I was his caregiver and advocate many pills he was prescribed had so many bad side affects that I stopped giving them to him gavipentin was one that helped him

I have been taking gabapentin for severe spondylosis for many years, but I only take
it at night to get some sleep. I was prescribed 300 mg. 3 times a day, but if I took it that way I couldn't function especially that I am caregiver to my husband that has Alzheimer's. If I feel pain during the day I just take extra strength Tylenol because I also suffer from Epstein Barr virus.

My Mom took Gabapentin to relieve the pain in her lower back. We used a minimal dose. I have heard of some people where Gabapentin is not tolerated. It appeared to help with the pain.

When my Mom who had mid-late stage dementia went into the hospital, she wanted her normal routine and became belligerent with the nurses. Since she was a fall risk, they didn't want her to get out of her bed. They gave her Seroquel to "calm her down". However, all it did was make her try to get out of bed even harder. At the first hospital, they put her in "soft restraints". I wasn't allowed to be there so I don't know what happened after that. At the 2nd, more elderly friendly hospital, after giving her the Seroquel, she attempted to get out of the bed for 6 hours (she didn't have the muscle strength to sit up or climb over the padded rails and I was there to ensure she did not get out of the bed). In both cases, she then fell asleep for approximately 48 hours (no eating or drinking and barely stirring when they were getting blood from her).

When the doctors and I discussed what happened at the second hospital, they blamed the Gabapentin in her system for the unexpected response to Seroquel.

Luckily, we didn't have to go through the experience a 3rd time.

Gabapentin: A pain dr prescribed it to me for my back pain. I stopped it after I had a fall. The fact stated it also is for anxiety and may cause dementia is a bit concerning. At 81 I want to maintain my mental health and capacity. I watched the effects of dementia. I prefer as little medication as possible. Initially the dr had informed me that the medication was for epilepsy. I’m concerned it is too broadly prescribed.
pat

I have taken Gabapentin for about 4 years and it’s been of immense help to me in dealing with anxiety.

A stray dog (with untreated injuries) came into my care and the capturing pound had put him on gabapentin plus tramadol. My husband takes gabapentin for his herniated disc.

Your mother is 93. Weighing her age against an increased risk of dementia and sleepiness... Whatever gives her peace and comfort.

Quality of life is what matters at 93. COMFORT and security is uppermost. Whether or not a 93 year old sleeps most of the time or not is absolutely irrelevant in my book. Whatever contributes to the feelings of well being is crucial unless it is so sedating that falls increase.