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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
My psychiatrist & I have been trying to figure out how to cause me to sleep at least for a few solid hours per night. I am currently trying 300mg of neurontin at night, in addition to taking Wellbutrin in the morning. I am not a wired, peppy person, so the WEllbutrin has been quite helpful. Personally, I don't think the Wellbutrin is keeping me up at night -- this sleeping problem started several years ago and has become worse recently (since my significant other very unceremoniously took off). My psychiatrist has not been happy with the results of neurontin with other patients. Anyone out there with experience?
Posted by Noa on February 25, 2000, at 15:06:27
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
Have you tried a small dose of trazodone at night for sleep? A lot of people who have med-induced insomnia take it and say it works well. It worked well for me for a while, then started to poop out. Now I take Serzone for the same purpose, plus as an augmentation (one of several) for greater antidepressant effect. I found the trazodone quicker acting and more intense. About half an hour to an hour after taking it, I had to get into bed, but it did not make me groggy in the morning. Serzone, I found to be slower acting and hung around longer, and a less intense effect.
Posted by Chris A. on February 25, 2000, at 15:46:07
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
Ambien is my all time favorite for sleep - fast acting, short half-life, no hang over. As always, YYMV. Getting some sleep is essential to well being.
Chris A.
Posted by jd on February 25, 2000, at 18:26:25
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
Judy,
I've actually just started adding some neurontin to the imipramine I've been taking for years. In general, I like it and have been sleeping somewhat better--though this wasn't my main complaint beforehand. (It does seem to be quite good for anxiety and mood instability as well, even though I'm on a miniscule dose of 25mg 3x/day because of a hypersensitivity to meds... A normal dose would be to start at 100mg or 300mg at bedtime then work upwards.) The studies I've seen have tended to be enthusiastic about neurontin's effects on sleep quality, but everyone's personal responses are apt to be different. Even if your doctor hasn't been thrilled with previous results, it may still be worth a try: it's a pretty safe med and many people do seem to have a positive response. (Of course, there are a lot of other options out there too!)
best,
jd> My psychiatrist & I have been trying to figure out how to cause me to sleep at least for a few solid hours per night. I am currently trying 300mg of neurontin at night, in addition to taking Wellbutrin in the morning. I am not a wired, peppy person, so the WEllbutrin has been quite helpful. Personally, I don't think the Wellbutrin is keeping me up at night -- this sleeping problem started several years ago and has become worse recently (since my significant other very unceremoniously took off). My psychiatrist has not been happy with the results of neurontin with other patients. Anyone out there with experience?
Posted by quilter on February 25, 2000, at 23:42:47
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
> My psychiatrist & I have been trying to figure out how to cause me to sleep at least for a few solid hours per night. I am currently trying 300mg of neurontin at night, in addition to taking Wellbutrin in the morning. I am not a wired, peppy person, so the WEllbutrin has been quite helpful. Personally, I don't think the Wellbutrin is keeping me up at night -- this sleeping problem started several years ago and has become worse recently (since my significant other very unceremoniously took off). My psychiatrist has not been happy with the results of neurontin with other patients. Anyone out there with experience?
Neurontin is the latest addition to my "stew", and has made it possible to eliminate Ambien from the mix and to reduce the Ativan by quite a bit. At 900 mg I sleep quite well, the only problem being the timing of the bedtime dose of 300 mg. I need about 60 to 90 minutes to become sleepy where the Ambien took effect very quickly.
Ambien is a really useful med in my case and I had few problems with hangover, tolerance, or withdrawal even after months of continuous use.
Posted by JohnL on February 26, 2000, at 3:51:42
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
> My psychiatrist & I have been trying to figure out how to cause me to sleep at least for a few solid hours per night. I am currently trying 300mg of neurontin at night, in addition to taking Wellbutrin in the morning. I am not a wired, peppy person, so the WEllbutrin has been quite helpful. Personally, I don't think the Wellbutrin is keeping me up at night -- this sleeping problem started several years ago and has become worse recently (since my significant other very unceremoniously took off). My psychiatrist has not been happy with the results of neurontin with other patients. Anyone out there with experience?
The choice of Neurontin to aid sleep is a strange one, unless the pdoc has prescribed it with other purposes in mind as well. It could help sleep I guess, but that's not what we usually see it used for. For sleep, it's much more common to see these prescribed with antidepressants for sleep: A benzo (like Xanax), Remeron, a tricyclic (Imipramimine, Nortriptyline), Trazodone, or a tiny dose antipsychotic (like Zyprexa). I am puzzled, if the pdoc has been disappointed with neurontin so far, why choose it instead of more common sleep aids?
Posted by S. Suggs on February 26, 2000, at 4:51:25
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
Judy: Have you considered asking your doc for a sleep study. You may have an underlying condition creating your problem.
Welbutrin in the am is fine, and the Neurontin can be increased. Ask your doc if you could try 600 before bedtime. I took Neurontin once for neurological pain and was at 3600 mg a day...very safe drug.
best wishes and blessings,
S. Suggs
Posted by Cam. W. on February 26, 2000, at 8:49:01
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by S. Suggs on February 26, 2000, at 4:51:25
Note On Neurontin - I read recently where Dr. Larry Ereshefsky said that Neurontin has a saturable absorption. I haven't seen the original study, but he is quoted as saying that single doses of Neurontin greater than 600mg are not appreciably absorbed. Therefore, if you were taking, say 3600mg daily, you should be taking 600mg - 6 times daily to ensure absorption. Just thought this was an interesting observation - Cam W.
Posted by jd on February 26, 2000, at 14:20:50
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by JohnL on February 26, 2000, at 3:51:42
Given its beneficial effects on sleep quality in most clinical trials, I don't think Neurontin is too far-out a choice in Judy's case, but it probably makes best sense if one meets criteria for one or more of the things it usually *is* prescribed for: a growing list that includes chronic pain, bipolar or bipolar-like mood instability, partial seizures, and (most recently) certain anxiety disorders. Otherwise more traditional meds might indeed be better...
--jd
> > My psychiatrist & I have been trying to figure out how to cause me to sleep at least for a few solid hours per night. I am currently trying 300mg of neurontin at night, in addition to taking Wellbutrin in the morning. I am not a wired, peppy person, so the WEllbutrin has been quite helpful. Personally, I don't think the Wellbutrin is keeping me up at night -- this sleeping problem started several years ago and has become worse recently (since my significant other very unceremoniously took off). My psychiatrist has not been happy with the results of neurontin with other patients. Anyone out there with experience?
>
> The choice of Neurontin to aid sleep is a strange one, unless the pdoc has prescribed it with other purposes in mind as well. It could help sleep I guess, but that's not what we usually see it used for. For sleep, it's much more common to see these prescribed with antidepressants for sleep: A benzo (like Xanax), Remeron, a tricyclic (Imipramimine, Nortriptyline), Trazodone, or a tiny dose antipsychotic (like Zyprexa). I am puzzled, if the pdoc has been disappointed with neurontin so far, why choose it instead of more common sleep aids?
Posted by katy on February 26, 2000, at 21:56:01
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by jd on February 26, 2000, at 14:20:50
I am taking Neurontin 100 at bedtime with 25 of doxepin (anti-depressant) and have been having incredible dream activity since adding Neurontin to the mix. I am taking it for anxiety (and it did seem to help that) but it was making me so spacey during the day so i only take one at night and Xanax during the day. Anyone else having dream activity. Also, if you take the Neurontin during the day...does it ever begin to feel normal?
Posted by Cam W. on February 26, 2000, at 22:22:09
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by katy on February 26, 2000, at 21:56:01
Katy - How long have you been taking the Neurontin? Most of the side effects lessen within the first month and are hardly noticeable at 8 weeks, in many people. You are taking a very low dose of Neurontin, but if it's working, don't try to fix it. The dreams should also subside, but some people I have talked to say they are very vivid. Thus could be due to a combination of the Doxepine and Neurontin. A stunned feeling is common during the upward titration of Neurontin doses and usually lessens with time. Hope this helps - Cam W.
Posted by jd on February 27, 2000, at 1:45:04
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Cam W. on February 26, 2000, at 22:22:09
Katy,
I've been taking low-dose Neurontin for about 2 weeks and have noticed a slightly different effect on dreaming: I wake up feeling like I've had really bizarre dreams that I can barely remember! Fortunately, this has started to subside somewhat this week--it's kinda unpleasant. I've recently built up to taking it three times a day and can honestly say that the daytime side effects have been also been becoming less noticeable too... I'm going to try to stick it out for at least 2 to 4 more weeks before I start making up my mind. Hope your side effects subside too!best,
jd>
> Katy - How long have you been taking the Neurontin? Most of the side effects lessen within the first month and are hardly noticeable at 8 weeks, in many people. You are taking a very low dose of Neurontin, but if it's working, don't try to fix it. The dreams should also subside, but some people I have talked to say they are very vivid. Thus could be due to a combination of the Doxepine and Neurontin. A stunned feeling is common during the upward titration of Neurontin doses and usually lessens with time. Hope this helps - Cam W.
Posted by katy on February 27, 2000, at 13:21:33
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants--Katy, posted by jd on February 27, 2000, at 1:45:04
dear Cam and JD:
Thanks for the followup. I have been taking it about 2 and half months. You are right JD ---bizarre dreams which are kind of unpleasant. They haven't subsided for me. Katy
Posted by Sigolene on March 2, 2000, at 2:23:34
In reply to Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Judy on February 25, 2000, at 14:35:26
Please can someone tell me what neurotonin is, principle of action ? I live in Europe and I've never heard from that. But I like to folow the discussions here, that's why I need to know what it is. Thank you.
Sigolene
Posted by Dick on November 21, 2000, at 21:18:18
In reply to Re: Neurontin with anti-depressants, posted by Sigolene on March 2, 2000, at 2:23:34
I have been taking 800 mg. of Neurontin a day in divided doses for nerve damage/pain on both sides of my groin due to a severe bout with prostatitis, which must have done some damage to the genito-femoral nerve. I also use Wellbutrin, 150 mg SR once a day to treat moderate depression. I have never experienced any problems with vivid dreams. Neurontin does help. I tried Elavil, but experienced drowsiness and a hung-over effect in the morning.
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