Posted by KarenB on July 28, 2001, at 11:55:56
In reply to Re: new to neurontin, posted by Angelique on July 27, 2001, at 19:29:21
Angelique,
I just started on Neurontin, after adventures with Lithium (severe nausea), Tegretol, Trileptal, Lamictal and a list a mile long of antidepressants and other neuroleptics. I am Bipolar with some really ugly mixed states and super rapid cycling.
After a horrible (and rare)drug interaction between Lamictal and Trileptal which left me violently ill recently, I have scrapped most of the extensive and ineffective cocktail I was on and for the most part started over at ground zero. I kept two meds I have always known have worked for me (Adderall and Geodon) and added Neurontin. Because of my sensitivity to meds, my doc is taking it slow in titration and working me up to 800mg per day, in 200mg increments. Some people take 800mg in one dose, so this is extremely cautious. You are at a very low dose - I am not clear as to why your doc has chosen to do this (?)
All this to say, I feel better for the last several days than I have felt in as long as I can remember. Stable. Afternoons are always my manic time and I reserve some Xanax for such occasions but am needing it less as the days go by, with the upward titration of Neurontin. For me, it has been a good thing. If you read the Tips section of this website, there are many notes from pdocs who say it is a great last ditch resort for Bipolars like myself who have responded poorly to other mood stabilizers.
Oh, BTW, my doc suggested from the beginning that I should take my evening dose two hours before bedtime, to avert morning grogginess. This, I believe, has helped. I also take 15mg of Adderall before getting up, which jumpstarts my engine and keeps me focused (I have some ADD issues too...or is it the cycling? Hard to tell sometimes).
With your mood swings, you almost sound like a candidate for Bipolar Disorder. Have you ever seen a real mood disorder specialist for a consult? I did and it was so worth the money spent. I was misdiagnosed for most of my life.
Wishing you the best.
Karen
poster:KarenB
thread:71671
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/72232.html