Nick,

I take gabapentin to stop most of what you describe, especially the jerks just as I start to fall asleep. I need to take the gabapentin (for me 900 mgs.) about an hour or two before I want to fall asleep. I also need to end any stimulating conversation or noises, etc.

Are you going to see a psychologist (Ph.D.) or psychiatrist (M.D.) on Wednesday?

It is important to learn how to let go of any sensations or thoughts. It takes work to learn to ignore sensations but the effort is well worth it.

Mark, I've still got some Gabapentin left...quite a lot actually. I'm going to try 200mg right now and see if that helps any. I did notice when I was taking it before that the mini-panic attacks weren't happening. So we'll see what happens tonight.

Not sure what kind of doctor I'm seeing on Wednesday. During intake, the woman told me I would be seeing both a psychologist and psychiatrist. She gave me two appointments but didn't tell me what each one was for. The only thing on the appointment card is a name, date and time.

Off-subject, I was thinking about the comment you made on Prozac..about it being the oldest SSRI and why they were prescribing it when there is newer SSRI's out there..so I figured I would just wait to see what the psychiatrist wants to put me on first...I think that's the smart thing to do, you know?

I guess if the appointment is on Wednesday, waiting a few days for confirmation should be OK.

If 200 mgs of gabapentin works for you, that will be great. You may need more. Like I said, i take 900 mgs. I was on 600 mgs for 6 years then needed to increase to 900 mgs. I took it in place of a benzodiazepine that I was on and struggling with. The gabapentin has been much better with no side effects.

Just wanted to say that I can totally relate to your experience. I slept from 10-1am last night, then spent the next 5 hrs trying to fall back asleep. Must have had close to a dozen of those mini panic attacks. So frustrating. I also sometimes experience a negative thing as the attack happens. One time I was beginning to dream about driving down a road, then I saw a detour sign, and that is what triggered the panic. My hands and arms also feel like they're trembling when this happens. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this.

I'd like to report that I took 200mg of Gabapentin last night and didn't experience any mini-panic attacks. At first it felt like they were going to happen (I think because I was anticipating them) but I slept like a baby. I'm going to try this method again tonight :)...

Mark - You mentioned taking Gabapentin in place of benzos..When they first came back, I tried taking the Lorazepam (Ativan) and it didn't help it all...it actually made it worse.

Lagr - They are horrible, aren't they? Like I said before, they went away for awhile and just recently came back. I don't like the way I feel the next day if I don't get enough sleep...so they are a nightmare for me (literally). I wish you luck on finding a method of reducing them.

I'm going to try again tonight and see what happens. Maybe Gabapentin is the answer.