Posted by Mitch on June 17, 2001, at 11:54:34
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Mitch, posted by Snowie on June 17, 2001, at 8:27:35
Hi Snowie,
I think a lot of weight-gain associated with some meds *can* be from the beneficial effects they give-for instance if you are agitated, pacing around-you might not be very hungry either. You take a med that settles you down you will probably burn less calories and have a better appetite.
I take Klonopin with Neurontin and they tend to have a little "synergistic" effect as well-which is good in my case. But too much Klonopin and my concentration suffers at work.
Yes, Gabitril is definitely activating (initially with lower doses). For me it definitely had antidepressant properties. I also must admit I got some *increased* libido with it as well. But, that may be because it was alleviating some symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy (which I don't know for sure if I have yet-but I am suspected of possibly having it).
The increased libido thing is probably the main reason I thought about adding it on to the Neurontin:) BTW-Trileptal(a med similar to Tegretol-used for rapid-cyclers) also increased libido for me, but it made so nauseous I couldn't stand it.The real downside of Gabitril(for most people anyway) is the cognitive adverse effects. Having ADHD makes me REAL sensitive to anything that fogs up my consciousness. Neurontin DEFINITELY improves ADHD symptoms for me, up to 900mg/day. If I took Gabitril as an add-on again, I would probably just take say 4mg at bedtime for several weeks before any dose increase.
Just an afterthought: I wonder..if the cognitive adverse effects with the Gabitril would slowly fade due to GABA receptor downregulation. (your brain adjusting to it)...? In that case you would need to increase the dose a *little* and then stay there for several weeks before another increase to prevent the cognitive problems..who knows? Sorry, for going on so, now I got myself really wondering about this med!
Thanks for sharing,
Mitch> Hi Mitch,
>
> No problem. I probably have ADHD also (I'm looking into that). It just sounds as if you might like to try Gabitril again as an add-on to Neurontin, but in smaller doses. That's kind of funny when you think about it - an add-on to an add-on. Althought they each make me feel differently, don't they both work in almost the same way?
>
> Although I like the effect of Neurontin, there are some side effects I don't care for. For instance, I'm not a huge eater but for some reason I've gained about 5-10 lbs. that won't come off. Bloating is another side effect that may or may not be attributable to Neurontin since I'm also on birth control pills, but I've been losing a ton of water since going on Gabitril. Neurontin seems to make me lethargic with Xanax, but Gabitril had me up doing things this weekend. I'm going to stick with this for a while and see what happens. I'm not taking this med for its stimulating properties (if any), but if it eventually works on anxiety and gives me more energy, wouldn't that be great?!
>
> By the way, I was only taking Neurontin once or twice a day, so Gabitril is about the same in that area. I don't feel sedated, which is good, and I've had no problems sleeping so far.
>
> What about sexual side effects from Gabitril? Decreased or increased libido - or no effect?
>
> Yeah, I think my new pdoc wants to try something different than I was taking, probably so I can tell everyone what the new guy is doing. And if it works, he gets all the credit. If it doesn't, he's trying his best to find the perfect med combo for me. Seems with that strategy he can't lose.
>
> Thanks for giving me more insight into this new med.
>
> Snowie
>
> > Snowie,
> >
> > Sorry, for any miscommunication (I also have ADHD, but that is no excuse)! No, I am not saying that I like Gabitril better-overall. The Neurontin was better for my anxiety in my case like yours and I have just as much or more problems with anxiety than with bipolar anyway. I think your new pdoc (and to some degree my thinking) towards Gabitril is something like this: Well, you only have to take it once/twice a day, it is the first "designed" anticonvulsant, since it blocks reuptake of GABA it *should* do this and that, etc., etc. AND YES, I have run into that situation when you switch docs-they want to switch meds, too-because of course that *other* doc doesn't have as good as judgement as I HAVE. OR, they may think they need to switch your meds-(because that is why you quit your last doctor).
> > Oh, it has been a while since I have taken any Gabitril-when Ihad the numbness/derealization at 24mg/day I stopped it COLD and went back to Neurontin. I am just curious if I *added* back a much smaller dose of it that it would augment the Neurontin I currently take-whew! there, I think I got myself untangled about it.
> >
> > Mitch
poster:Mitch
thread:66523
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66876.html