Several studies have shown that gabapentin (Neurontin) at 600-2400 mg/day in divided doses is effective for treating hot flashes in menopausal women. Research presented at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) indicates that an investigational extended release (ER) formulation of gabapentin (Serada, Depomed) is effective for the treatment of hot flashes and sleep HRT is the current go-to treatment for menopausal hot flashes. Gabapentin offers non-hormonal relief and reduction in hot flashes and night sweats. No experience of taking it for menopause but I take it for nerve damage following a stroke. I was told it was normally used for people with epilepsy to help stop seizures. Seems strange that it would also be used to menopause. What symptoms were they prescribed to treat? Just been prescribed Gabapentin. Anyone have experience with it? I've just been prescribed Gabapentin for arthritis/nerve pain and sleep issues that started at menopause, and am very nervous about starting it. The doctor suggested a very low dose of 100mg to begin with but after reading about it I'm wondering if I should even bother. Various non-hormonal agents have been used for the treatment of hot flashes in women with menopause. Some studies have reported that gabapentin appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment modality. The aim of this study was to evaluate While gabapentin is primarily used for nerve pain and epilepsy, it has been found helpful in treating night sweats for some people. Starting at a lower dose allows you to assess its effects and side effects. But, before I read up on gabapentin, I just assumed my weight gain was due to perimenopause. After coming off gabapentin, my weight has gone down to normal - without changing my workout routine or diet. That said, my spouse is a medical doctor and takes gabapentin for sleep. Not an SSRI but gabapentin helps with hot flashes. I've been taking it at night for anxiety/sleep and I didn't even know it was keeping hot flashes at bay until I was running low on my prescription and had to galve my dose for a few nights. Anyone on gabapentin? I started on it for anxiety in April 2021, 900 mg a night. That was a lot, so a year and change later I tapered myself down to 200 mg - it helped a ton with night sweats. Well, late perimenopause kicked in, and I was having severe hot flashes (up to 20 a day) plus night sweats, etc. Ob-gyn put me on 100 mg progesterone at night and said to taper off the gabapentin, which Gabapentin for nighttime hot flashes and night sweats? Has anyone heard of this treatment? Went to the doc because the hot flashes are disrupting my sleep so badly, it’s affecting everything else in my life. I’m getting maybe 3 hours a night, if I’m lucky. Apparently, gabapentin (an epilepsy drug) is known to calm this down. The North American Menopause society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend gabapentin as an option for managing hot flashes in women who are unwilling to take estrogen-containing supplements. Gabapentin is currently used for a variety of conditions/symptoms, such as epilepsy, pain after shingles (post herpetic neuralgia), insomnia, chronic pain restless leg syndrome, and anxiety. And of course, hot flashes. A bit OT but gabapentin/neurontin is like some random miracle drug. I took it as a mood stabilizer for a couple years in my 20s and it somehow eradicated these other arthritic / rheumatoid symptoms I had that were never successfully diagnosed. I know that’s usually what it’s prescribed for, but it’s kind of amazing how many uses it has. Again it’s an individual thing but if you just can’t tolerate the gabapentin, it’s an option to talk over with your doctor. On a side note - I just can’t believe how difficult and destructive the menopause is for some of us. I have been on Gabapentin for years. I’ve just learned of Lyrica being used for GAD in the same way. I’ve gone into perimenopause and my anxiety has jumped quite high. I’ve gotten some relief from hormone therapy, but I’m thinking of talking to my doc about this switch from gaba to Lyrica. I’ve also seen it can help w hot flashes, migraines and sleep. 🤷🏻♀️ Can anyone Potential Risks and Side Effects While gabapentin shows promise in managing menopause-related sleep issues, it’s essential to consider the potential risks and side effects associated with its use. Like all medications, gabapentin can cause adverse reactions, and women considering this treatment should be aware of these possibilities. Gabapentin is currently used for a variety of conditions/symptoms, such as epilepsy, pain after shingles (post herpetic neuralgia), insomnia, chronic pain restless leg syndrome, and anxiety. And of course, hot flashes. For sure Gabapentin's off-label effects on the GABA neurotransmitter help with hot flashes. Some side effects can mimic menopausal symptoms too, like mood swings so you want to monitor those. Navigating menopause can be challenging, with symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances affecting daily life. While hormone replacement therapy is a common treatment, some women seek alternatives. Gabapentin, traditionally used for nerve pain, has emerged as a promising option for managing menopaus My doctor recommended gabapentin (100 mg, up to 3 times daily) to help with night sweats and interrupted sleep. Has anyone else used it? Any side effects? I’m afraid of the mood changes and edema that I’ve seen referenced in my side effect searches.
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