Gabapentin and alchohol

[jmarren]

I have been an incomplete paraplegic for a little over a year, was hit by a car on my bike.  Anyway, I had been taking Norco only for pain and dealing (or not) with the ensuing constipation.  Another doc turned me on to Gabapentin which is non narcotic and allows me to take less Norco.  Now I know that the warning labels suggest no alchohol with either of these meds, but I've always enjoyed a cocktail and one while I was
taking the Norco alone didn't seem to cause any problems.  Shortly after starting to take the Gabapentin I began having nights when I could never achieve a deep sleep and then would feel awful the next day trying to get to rehab without having had a good night's sleep.  The connection with Gabapentin finally occurred to me and (sadly) I've given up my one Manhattan.  The sleep problems have gone away.  Now, having had to give up most of the things in life which gave me pleasure, I mourn my daily cocktail hour ritual.  Has anyone else had a similar experience, thoughts, recommendations?   

[Apparelyzed]

Hi,

I'm not on any oral medication, but if I have a couple of glasses of wine or more, I wake up in the night, unable to get back to sleep.

This could be more of a dehydration problem than just the alcohol problem.

If I was trying to find a solution to this, I'd have my drink, just one, and have a large glass of water before going to bed, and see if the insomnia problem is still there.

Regards

Simon

[Catucci]

Hi

My hubby, Nico, takes Gabapentin and we go to the pub every Friday night.  We don't get paraletic but we do have a good drink and Nico does suffer the next day but prefers this than giving up our only one night out in the week.  Try the glass of water like Andy suggests, hopefully it might improve things.  Good luck!

xx Cat xx

[Gary Anderson]

Well known, proven, medical fact - alcohol too close to bedtime keeps you awake. It even does this for the able bodied.

Answer - take the alcohol earlier in the evening.

[Jilly]

I think it also depends on how much you drink. For me a glass of vino shortly before bedtime sends me out for the count till morning! More than one glass would cause me to wake in the middle of the night though.