Posted by not exactly on January 28, 2003, at 6:42:51
In reply to Re: The Neurontin Scandal » missliz, posted by Luka62 on January 27, 2003, at 13:41:13
My pdoc put me on Neurontin a couple of years ago, and I've continued it since then (despite changes in my "primary" meds - AD's & stimulants - on top of it). He originally prescribed it to take some of the "rough edges" off my other meds (anxiety & over-stimulation side effects), as well as addressing my pre-existing low-level anxiety (GAD).
It made me drowsy at first, and I slept a lot. But within a few days, I got used to it, and the drowsiness went away. Didn't notice any other side effects.
It did seem to help with the anxiety. But there were other benefits, which I guess were related to the reduction in anxiety. It helped dramatically with my social phobia, which had previously been a serious problem. I was now able to carry on normal, relaxed conversations. I could even make "small talk" with people I had just met, something that had been nearly impossible before. I think the improvement was that I was no longer afraid that I would say/do something "stupid". I wasn't excessively concerned that others would misjudge me. I became much less self-conscious and more confident.
This improvement would have felt miraculous if I hadn't already experienced it before - it helped in the same way that alcohol had. But using alcohol as a chronic solution seemed like a bad idea and I had successfully avoid that trap.
Neurontin also seemed to simplify my life, and my view of the whole world. Everything was less complex and easier to deal with. No more getting bogged down in minute details. The world even looked more simple (in a pleasing, non-threatening way) - kind of cartoon-like with more saturated colors and less texture.
This improvement would have felt miraculous if I hadn't already experienced it before - it helped in the same way that marijuana had. But using marijuana as a chronic solution seemed like a bad idea and I had successfully avoid that trap.
Eventually, I started noticing some long-term negative effects that I also attribute to the Neurontin (although it may be early senility). Not surprisingly, these negative effects also remind me of the negative effects of alcohol and marijuana. I have become more forgetful. I repeat myself because I can't remember who I've told what. I lose things. I can't keep as many details in my head at once as I used to - for example, mental arithmetic has become almost impossible.
The biggest problem is that I don't care about things that I really should. I lost my job over a year ago, but I've been living off my life savings rather than bothering to find a new job. My aging parents are getting too infirm to care for themselves, but I haven't been motivated to help them. I manage to ignore or procrastinate everyday problems that "normal" folks deal with in their stride, such as bill paying and home maintenance.
Several times, I have tried to discontinue or reduce the dose of Neurontin. When I did, mental clarity and concern for important details returned quickly, but so did the anxiety. Each time, it got so bad that I resumed the Neurontin. I felt like a junky.
You will laugh when I tell you my standard dosage. I saved this detail 'til the end because I figured I would get ZERO sympathy. I take 100 mg T.I.D. Yes, friends, that's not a typo - a mere 300 mg per day! If I take more, I get too sedated, apathetic, and just plain "drunk". If I take less, the anxiety drives me up the wall.
Has anyone experienced or heard of anything like this? Or am I just another deluded placebo victim? I really need some help here...
- Bob
poster:not exactly
thread:136541
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030125/msgs/137900.html