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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sean on February 4, 2000, at 17:08:08
Hey everybody,
It's been a while since I've been active at this site.
I've been on Neurontin (1200mg) for about 3 months and
it's made quite a difference in my life, though it is
very hard to describe the effect. I would like to hear
other peoples observations. Heres what I've noticed:(1) Seems to advance my sleep phase. Unlike AD's, which
make me wake up ealier and earlier, Neurontin seems
to push my waking time out further and further. It
does not help with falling asleep but I sleep much
longer.(2) My mood swings are definitely attenuated and I'm
no longer sure "where" I am in my cycle. My cycle
was about a month long, now I don't know where it
is. Kind of strange to be honest.(3) I'm feeling some antidepressant effect, but it is
more along the lines of having a stable lower
bound. I can almost feel my brain start to go
downward, but it jsut never gets too far.(4) I'm still able to be creative (I'm a musician and
writer) but things are a bit slower. The quality
of the work has changed in some ways, more
deliberate (mature?) perhaps. Less intense.(5) I'm still able to do analytical thinking (my day
job is extremely technical) but again, I'm not
as sharp as when I was at my best in the mood
cycle.(6) I have some blurry vision and memory loss. It does
feel like the gears of my brain have been jammed a
little.(7) No real weight gain problem. Sometimes I feel a
tad queasy after munching Neurontin.(8) Some changes in social phobia-like symptoms. I talk
with strangers more.Anyway, Neurontin is not the perfect med, but it does
seem to act as advertised for my version of bipolar.sean.
Posted by Cam W. on February 4, 2000, at 18:28:41
In reply to Neurontin Users - feedback wanted, posted by Sean on February 4, 2000, at 17:08:08
> Hey everybody,
>
> It's been a while since I've been active at this site.
> I've been on Neurontin (1200mg) for about 3 months and
> it's made quite a difference in my life, though it is
> very hard to describe the effect. I would like to hear
> other peoples observations. Heres what I've noticed:
>
> (1) Seems to advance my sleep phase. Unlike AD's, which
> make me wake up ealier and earlier, Neurontin seems
> to push my waking time out further and further. It
> does not help with falling asleep but I sleep much
> longer.
>
> (2) My mood swings are definitely attenuated and I'm
> no longer sure "where" I am in my cycle. My cycle
> was about a month long, now I don't know where it
> is. Kind of strange to be honest.
>
> (3) I'm feeling some antidepressant effect, but it is
> more along the lines of having a stable lower
> bound. I can almost feel my brain start to go
> downward, but it jsut never gets too far.
>
> (4) I'm still able to be creative (I'm a musician and
> writer) but things are a bit slower. The quality
> of the work has changed in some ways, more
> deliberate (mature?) perhaps. Less intense.
>
> (5) I'm still able to do analytical thinking (my day
> job is extremely technical) but again, I'm not
> as sharp as when I was at my best in the mood
> cycle.
>
> (6) I have some blurry vision and memory loss. It does
> feel like the gears of my brain have been jammed a
> little.
>
> (7) No real weight gain problem. Sometimes I feel a
> tad queasy after munching Neurontin.
>
> (8) Some changes in social phobia-like symptoms. I talk
> with strangers more.
>
> Anyway, Neurontin is not the perfect med, but it does
> seem to act as advertised for my version of bipolar.
>
> sean.Sean - Just a note. I was reading about neurontin for an upcoming presentation I am giving and found that it has a saturable absorption. That is, that single doses should not be more than 600mg. The body can only absorb 600mg at a time. At your dose this would not be a problem. (You are probably taking 400mg three times daily or 600mg twice daily). If you take doses in excess of 600mg, the extra Neurotin is not effectively absorbed. For example, if you were taking 3600mg per day, then you would have to take 600mg six times daily. I just thought that this was interesting. - Cam W.
Posted by judy1 on February 4, 2000, at 21:37:46
In reply to Neurontin Users - feedback wanted, posted by Sean on February 4, 2000, at 17:08:08
Hi Sean,
I'm glad you're seeing some improvement wih neurontin- after going through all the mood stabilizers, I always felt it had the least side effects. Primarily I noticed a lessening of anxiety, not unlike your description of an improved social state. 1200mgs was the max dose I could tolerate- at 1500 I started to dissociate. It was used as an add-on for me, it never worked to stabilize my moods by itself- but then nothing has. Are you taking anything for depression or is this the only drug you're taking?
Posted by Al on February 4, 2000, at 23:49:24
In reply to Neurontin Users - feedback wanted, posted by Sean on February 4, 2000, at 17:08:08
I've been taking Neurontin for 3 months now at 1600 mg/day, and it has changed my life with its effect on generalized anxiety. No more mood swings and aggressiveness. I didn't know about the saturable absorption issue (thanks Cam W). I do sometimes have the blurry vision, although this only happens for a short period of time (usually about an hour after taking the med). No memory loss or weight gain (yet). My analytical thinking is still acute, and I feel my creative side has actually been enhanced (maybe I'm spending less time worrying (anxiety) and just doing more thinking and daydreaming. I have the same experience when it comes to sleep patterns. It doesn't help me fall asleep, but when I'm out, I'm OUT. It has also helped me to feel more at ease in social situations. You don't have to "act" like you're at ease, you ARE at ease. What a relief to find something that works!!
Best wishes
Posted by Peter on February 5, 2000, at 13:23:48
In reply to Re: Neurontin Users - feedback wanted, posted by Al on February 4, 2000, at 23:49:24
To all those taking Neurontin: How long did it take before you noticed the therapeutic effects? I've been taking it for a couple weeks and am only up to 900 mg/day but have noticed nothing so far. Thanks. Peter
Posted by Sean on February 5, 2000, at 14:34:50
In reply to Re: Neurontin Users - feedback wanted, posted by Peter on February 5, 2000, at 13:23:48
> To all those taking Neurontin: How long did it take before you noticed the therapeutic effects? I've been taking it for a couple weeks and am only up to 900 mg/day but have noticed nothing so far. Thanks. Peter
It took some time to really notice the effect. The
side effects are always in the beginning of course,
but I would say it took 4-6 weeks to ramp up and
evaluate things. It is a subtle medication in the
sense that you don't feel "good" from it and if
you are at prone to hypomania, as I am, it is
something of a let down. On the other hand, I've
started saving money for the first time in ten
years. I can actually make plans. Very strange...
This is the end of the thread.
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