The combination of shortness of breath + chest pain (even if mild) after starting gabapentin is a serious red flag. These can be rare but known side effects of gabapentin, especially when starting or in sensitive individuals. Even at 100 mg, respiratory depression or allergic reactions can happen.
Stop gabapentin today – do not take another dose. Contact your prescribing doctor or go to urgent care/ER today to rule out anything serious (heart, lungs, allergic reaction).
Continue Passion flower and California poppy – they are very safe and unlikely to cause shortness of breath or chest pain. They do not have respiratory depressant effects like gabapentin.
Long-term safe plan for anxiety-related sleep (once cleared by doctor) 1 Ashwagandha Lehyam – 5–10 gm night with warm water 2 Brahmi Vati – 1 tablet night 3 Jatamansi Churna – 2 gm night with warm water
Your herbs were fine – the new gabapentin is almost certainly the cause. Safety first – get checked today.
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
Hlo,
⚠️ Please treat this as urgent. Because you experienced severe shortness of breath with panic and chest pain, this needs immediate medical evaluation, not medication tweaking at home.
✨About the medicines (important, but secondary to safety)- 1) Gabapentin (even at 100 mg) - Can cause respiratory depression, chest tightness, dizziness, and panic-like symptoms in some people. - Risk increases when combined with other sedating agents.
2) Passion flower & California poppy - Both are sedating CNS depressants. - When combined with gabapentin, they can potentiate breathing suppression, panic, or paradoxical reactions. 👉 The combination is more concerning than either alone.
What to do with medications until you’re seen- - Do NOT take another dose of gabapentin or the tinctures until you are medically evaluated. - Bring all medication/herb names and doses with you to the doctor/ER. (This is a safety hold, not a permanent stop—decisions should be made after assessment.)
Will able to advise medication only after proper Checkup nd reports.
Tq
Hello I can understand your concern without any hesitation. This situation calls for a very careful and safety-first response, as the symptoms you mention can be serious.
SHORT ANSWER (very important):
👉 Do not take another dose of gabapentin or the herbs until you have been medically evaluated.
👉 Since you had shortness of breath together with chest pain, you should definitely go for an urgent medical check-up right away, especially if this happened when you were at rest or if it woke you from sleep.
WHY THIS ARE CONCERING?
You underwent:
–Severe shortness of breath –Chest pain –Panic on waking –New medication started within days
These symptoms are a “red flag” warning signal that ought to be urgently addressed by the medical team first and only after that anxiety team, unless otherwise proven.
While it is true that anxiety also can cause similar sensations, it is not advisable to assume that.
ABOUT GABAPENTIN
Gabapentin may sometimes induce the following symptoms:
–Respiratory depression (mainly during sleep) –Chest tightness –Air hunger –sedation that worsens anxiety on waking –Paradoxical anxiety or panic, particularly in the first days
Even in the case of 100 mg, it can bring about these in some people who are very sensitive.
The risk is elevated when combined with:
–Other sedative herbs –CNS depressants –Underlying anxiety or panic disorder
ABOUT PASSION FLOWER AND CALIFORNIA POPPY
Both herbs:
–Work on the GABA system –Are sedating –May contribute to the effects of gabapentin
This mixture can intensify respiratory and nervous system problems, especially during sleep.
The point is not that one is “bad”, but that there is interaction + sensitivity.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW
👉 If possible, get help right away
Definitely, if: The shortness of breath or chest pain is still there You feel weak, dizzy, or confused Symptoms come back when you lie down
Go to the ER / urgent care or Call your doctor who gave you the prescription.
👉 Until the check-up – Put gabapentin on hold – Passionflower and California poppy are also on hold – Do not mix sedating substances – Refrain from drinking alcohol or from using sleep aids
It is quite safe to stop gabapentin after only a few days at 100 mg — you do not have to taper at this stage.
If this eventually turns out to be panic/anxiety (after medical clearance)
Then the next steps may be:
Only ONE agent, not multiple Much lower doses Non-sedating anxiety strategies Daytime anxiety control (not only night sedation)
Very important clarification
Night-time shortness of breath + chest pain should never be self-managed or attributed to anxiety without an evaluation.
Even young, healthy people may have:
Cardiac rhythm issues Medication reactions Sleep-related breathing suppression
Warm Regards Dr Snehal Vidhate
Hii dear… I’m really glad you reached out immediately about this. What you experienced matters, and it needs to be taken seriously.
First, please hear this clearly and calmly: Severe shortness of breath + chest pain + panic feeling = this is NOT something to ignore. Even if anxiety is part of your history, we must first rule out a medication reaction or dangerous interaction.
You are not weak. You are not overreacting. Your body was sending a warning signal
Very Important – What to Do RIGHT NOW 🔴 1. Do NOT take another dose of gabapentin until you speak to your doctor Gabapentin can cause: * Shortness of breath * Chest tightness * Respiratory depression * Panic-like reactions These risks are higher when combined with sedating herbs.
🔴 2. STOP Passion flower and California poppy immediately These herbs: Act on the nervous system Increase sedation Can potentiate gabapentin May suppress breathing during sleep
⚠️ The combination is not safe, especially in sensitive or anxious nervous systems.
🔴 3. If chest pain or breathlessness returns → go to ER / urgent care Please do not wait if: Breath feels tight again Chest pain persists You feel dizzy, faint, or confused
This is not about fear — it’s about safety.
Your nervous system is already overloaded from chronic anxiety and poor sleep.
When you combined: Gabapentin (calms nerves but can depress breathing) Passion flower California poppy
the calming effect may have gone too far, triggering: * Shallow breathing * Oxygen anxiety * Chest tightness * Panic on waking
This is not uncommon, and it is reversible, but it needs adjustment.
🌿 Ayurvedic support
⚠️ ONLY AFTER symptoms completely settle and meds are reviewed
For now, do NOT add new herbs.
Once stable (after doctor confirmation), gentler options only:
🌱 Very Mild Support (later stage) 1. Warm milk at night (no herbs) 2. Slow breathing practices only (see below) 3. Routine + nervous system grounding
❌ Avoid for now Jatamansi Brahmi ghrita Any sedative tinctures Anything “strong” for sleep
Your nervous system needs stability, not suppression right now.
Immediate Grounding for Anxiety & Breath Use this if panic comes again: * Breathing reset * Hand on chest, hand on belly Inhale 4 seconds Hold 1 second Exhale 6–7 seconds Repeat 5 minutes
Say silently: “This will pass. I am safe.”
Lifestyle Support (Most Important Right Now) ⭐ Fixed sleep & wake time ⭐ No alcohol, no caffeine ⭐ Warm meals only ⭐ Phone away from bed ⭐ Gentle daylight exposure ⭐ Short walks ⭐ Eat regularly (low blood sugar worsens panic)
❓ To Answer Your Question Directly: "Should I stop the herbs or stop gabapentin?”
✅ STOP THE HERBS IMMEDIATELY ⛔ HOLD gabapentin until you speak to your prescribing doctor 🚨 Seek urgent care if symptoms return
🌼 Please Remember This
You are not broken. You are not “too anxious.” Your nervous system reacted to a combination that didn’t suit you.
This can be corrected safely.
If you want, I can help you: * Transition off sedating agents safely * Build a non-drug sleep routine * Use very gentle Ayurvedic support later * Create a step-by-step anxiety recovery plan
But first — your safety comes first. Please take care and don’t hesitate to seek urgent help if symptoms recur 🙏
Warm regards, Dr.Sumi MS(Ayu)
Gabapentin is usually used in the management of nervous system and even to treat some kind of seizures, it usually calms central nervous system, so many people use in case of insomnia, but taking for long terms has several health issues, so to my knowledge instead of taking gabapentin to relieve anxiety related insomnia switch to safer ayurvedic nervous system calming medicines which are called medhya rasayana , so you will not be having any side effects plus yu can experience anxiety free and sound sleep Regarding shortness of breath wait for one day if still doesn’t subside and if your oxygenation is good then once get ecg and 2 de echo
TAKE MANASMITRA VATIKAM 1 TAB BD TAKE ALSO LIVTONE 2 BD TAKE BRAHMI 2 BD TAKE TAGAR CHURNA 5 GM AT NIGHT WITH WATER NO ANY SIDE EAFFECAT DO BEST RESULT
Stop gabapentine and poppy tincture. their combination made you feel breathless.
continue with passion flower
Follow this routine and you will get nice results
🧘♀️ Anulomvilom and Bhramari Pranayam will help. But you have to do it early in the morning only.
❌ Donot get yourself into any addictions.
❌ Donot drink tea or coffee or aerated drinks.
❌ Reduce screen time… No screen in darkness and 1 hour before you sleep. Consume audio form of data rather than visuals before you sleep. Filter the content of data you consume… Let it be spiritual or positive…
✔️ Drink a glass of buffalo milk daily before you sleep; it will help you get a sound sleep.
✔️ 100 steps after both meals are must.
✔️ Eat only home cooked food… Avoid outside food, packed and processed food.
✔️ Prefer natural liquids like fruit juice, coconut water, lemon juice, kokum sharbat over packed ones.
💊 Medication: 💊
Panchendriya Vardhan Tailam 2 drops in each nostril early in the morning empty stomach.
Cap. Memorin(S.G.Phytopharma) 2 caps twice a day before food.
Syp. Prasham 4 tsp at bed time with lukewarm water. Tab. Manasmitra Vatak 2 tabs at bed time.
It’s better to stop gabapentin and start on Tab Tagara 1 hs Shankapuspi syrup 10 ml BD
Start with Ashwagandha churan 0-0-1tsp at bedtime with warm milk Brahmi vati 1-0-1 after food with water Light massage on head with Brahmi oil. Do Nasya with Brahmi grith 2 drops in both nostril once daily Do pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika bhamri 5-10mins twice daily Learn Rajyoga meditation and practice daily. If with all above practices if anxiety related sleep issues improve then stop Gabapentin.
