Neurontin Sciatica Nerve, Pumpkin Pies, Mild Panic, Racing Heart, Extreme Pain

I have a split sciatica nerve, so my doctor gave me a prescription for Neurontin. I have a history of Panic Attacks, so I was a little afraid to take one.
Today I was having extreme pain in my back so I took one about 3:00pm. I noticed right away that my back felt so much better, and i was able to go into the kitchen and bake two pumpkin pies.
A few hours later, my heart started racing, and when i took my blood pressure, my pulse was 122, but bp was fine. I started having one of my panic attacks, so I took a 05 Xanax, and it took awhile for my racing pulse to go back down.
Now i am afraid to take another one for pain for fear of another mild panic attack...have any of you had that problem with a racing heart. It is so scary, and I hate panic attacks more than death.