Posted by simcha on September 19, 2007, at 21:46:10
In reply to Neurontin helped me to quit Xanax, posted by Mishal on September 19, 2007, at 0:58:29
> Is this a good news?
If for some reason you had to get off of Xanax because it wasn't working or the side effects were intolerable, sure.
> I read in a URL 1000mg of Gabapentin (neurontin) is equivalent to 5mg of Klonopin.
>
> Now do you think it is a fair trade? Taking neurontinn instead of Xanax?
>
> Does Neurontin lose its efficacy over time?
>
> Is it addictive like Benzos?I don't know all the answers to all of these questions. My experience is that I took 1mg of Klonopin for 2 years without having to change doses for bruxism and restless legs and it worked beautifully. When I moved I had to get another pdoc, of course.
That pdoc inisted that I had to get off of the Klonopin because it "could" cause depression and it "might" mess with my sleep architecture. Therefore he placed me on Neurontin. I think I started at 300mg per night and went up to 600mg quickly. It worked mildly for my bruxism and restless legs. So what did he do? Did he put me back on what worked? No. He just kept increasing the dosage for five years. I gained 50 pounds in 5 years. I still had issues with restless legs and bruxism. He gave up.
He sent me to my general practitioner and advised him to put me on up to 1mg of Klonopin at bedtime for restless legs and bruxism. And you know what? The first night I went back on it suddenly my rls and bruxism was gone. Miracle? Nope. It worked before so it worked again. Now I hope I can start losing weight as I wean myself off of Neurontin. I'm down to 800mg from 1,600mg at night after two weeks or so.
Yes you must taper because it's an anti-convulsant and you could have a seizure if you suddenly stop taking Neurontin. So, is it addictive? I don't know. I do know that you become medically dependent on the stuff, just like any other psych med, if you need it.
If Neurontin works for you, then great. I hope it does if you cannot take the Xanax.
poster:simcha
thread:783861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070919/msgs/784033.html