Posted by JohnX on March 11, 2001, at 5:52:57
In reply to Re: Klonapin and it's Risks, posted by Lorraine on March 10, 2001, at 10:48:07
> John: I'm on Neurontin--one week titrated up from 100 mg to 300--as a mood stabilizer (not clear that I'm bipolar tho) and an anti-anxiety med. I still have tightness in the chest and difficulty taking a deep breath. How long would you expect before I those symptoms go away? I only have physical anxiety, not mental. Also do you feel like it's "dummying you down?"
Lorraine,
What is your dosing schedule for Neurontin?
At first my Pdoc had me taking 100 mg BID (twice a day), but I found that it only lasted about 8 hrs, and I would have start-up/stop side effects. I increased the dose to 300 mg TID (three times day) and at that dose I don't have the side effect up/down + much less anxiety. I had excruciating tension headaches and bruxism (tightning in jaw/teeth grinding) earlier last year, and by accident found out that Klonopin wiped out the symptoms. At the time my pdoc dosed me at 1 mg morning, 1 mg afternoon, 2 mg night (to help me sleep). I found this was too strong and made me too drowsy, but miraculously rid me of the pain I had been in for 3 months. By the end of the year 10 mg had no effect. I have taken 3 months to reduce the dose to Klonpin 1 mg twice a day + 300 mg Lamictal (for best mood stabilization) + 300 mg Neurontin TID (for anxiety withdrawl).
As you may fully now, its possible to not feel anxious mentally, but for the symptoms to manifest themself in a physical way such as tingling in extremeties, headaches, muscle tension, stomach pain, high blood pressure, etc. This seems to be what you are referring to. I will say that as I have tapered the Klonopin down these last few weeks to the lowest dose, I have been having to avoid stress as much as possible to avoid the headaches and jaw pain. I did find that increasing the Neurontin dose was quite helpful.
The dose you are referring too 300 mg even at three times a day can be increased if you feel it is helping and any side-effects are minimal but you require more punch. I can't really predict how the med would help your chest pain as everyone responds differently. Stick with it and if it is not helping as much as you need, ask your doc to bump the dose. The med works quickly, so if it is not achieving your goals you will know in a few days. Also, get a thorough physical if you haven't already to rule out any other causes of your pain (I hope your doc has done enough testing to rule out any other causes).
Hope this help,
John
poster:JohnX
thread:55769
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56175.html