![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
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 Snowie on June 14, 2001, at 21:04:03
Anybody try Gabitril or know anything about it? Not much in the archives. My new pdoc has switched me temporarily from Neurontin to Gabritril to see how it works as an augment to Xanax. I'm the first patient he's tried this on, so I'm a little nervous. He has me on a patient sample of 2 mg., which I understand is a very low dose. According to him, you only take this medication once a day, at night. Weight gain or sexual side effects? Any comments are appreciated.
Snowie
Posted by Mitch on June 14, 2001, at 23:47:56
In reply to Gabitril, posted by Snowie on June 14, 2001, at 21:04:03
> Anybody try Gabitril or know anything about it? Not much in the archives. My new pdoc has switched me temporarily from Neurontin to Gabritril to see how it works as an augment to Xanax. I'm the first patient he's tried this on, so I'm a little nervous. He has me on a patient sample of 2 mg., which I understand is a very low dose. According to him, you only take this medication once a day, at night. Weight gain or sexual side effects? Any comments are appreciated.
>
> SnowieSnowie,
I tried Gabitril (interestingly as a switch from Neurontin) for a while. I was seeing a neuro at the time and he was pushing me to escalate the dose up pretty quick. I found that it is a pretty good mood stabilizer. It caused a little agitation+mood elevation for me at first (unlike Neurontin) until I got used to it and the dose went up. I started at 4mg at bedtime and increased the doage by 4mg per week until I got up to 12mg twice daily (24mg/day) and then I got depersonalization/derealization from it and numbness in my face. It was like I was having a panic attack without the autonomic (body) symptoms. I *felt* panicky in my head, but my body was like a piece of clay. I liken it a little to Topamax in the sense that it can "blank you out" (cognitively). The trouble with many of these AC meds is that many folks could benefit from lower doses. I didn't get any nausea from it (like Trileptal and Depakote). If you are getting depressed from Topamax you might give Gabitril a try, but I would suggest VERY SLOW TITRATION to see how you react to it. You said you are starting out at 2mg. Well, your doc is probably going about it the right way. Just make him increase your dosage VERY slowly. Say, 4mg twice daily works FINE, then just STAY THERE.
Hope this helps some,
Mitch
Posted by Anna P. on June 15, 2001, at 15:44:02
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Snowie, posted by Mitch on June 14, 2001, at 23:47:56
> > Anybody try Gabitril or know anything about it? Not much in the archives. My new pdoc has switched me temporarily from Neurontin to Gabritril to see how it works as an augment to Xanax. I'm the first patient he's tried this on, so I'm a little nervous. He has me on a patient sample of 2 mg., which I understand is a very low dose. According to him, you only take this medication once a day, at night. Weight gain or sexual side effects? Any comments are appreciated.
> >
> > Snowie
>
> Snowie,Mitch
>
> I tried Gabitril for my anergy. It helped with the energy, but it induced anxiety
symptoms (if you have a tendency). 24 mg is a huge dose, I would be scared. My dose was 5 mg a day in divided doses AM and PM.
I've heard that Viagabitril is better for anxiety.Anna P.
Posted by Snowie on June 15, 2001, at 17:50:38
In reply to Re: Gabitril, posted by Anna P. on June 15, 2001, at 15:44:02
Mitch and Anna,
Thanks for the info. My new pdoc switched me from Neurontin to Gabitril as an add-on with Xanax for anxiety. I was happy with Neurontin, but he thought that Gabitril might work even better since it's a new anti-convulsant that he says works more on serotonin than does Neurontin. I don't know if that's good or bad. I like that you only take it once a day though. I'm only taking 2 mg. at night (not 24 mg., Anna), but he told me to increase it to 4 mg. at night in a week. Then I'll see him again after the second week and let him know what I think. So far I can't tell it's doing anything, but this is only my second day. I miss Neurontin since it started working on my anxiety immediately. Anyway, I figured I'd give this a try, but if it doesn't work I'll happily go back to Neurontin.
Snowie
> > > Anybody try Gabitril or know anything about it? Not much in the archives. My new pdoc has switched me temporarily from Neurontin to Gabritril to see how it works as an augment to Xanax. I'm the first patient he's tried this on, so I'm a little nervous. He has me on a patient sample of 2 mg., which I understand is a very low dose. According to him, you only take this medication once a day, at night. Weight gain or sexual side effects? Any comments are appreciated.
> > >
> > > Snowie
> >
> > Snowie,Mitch
> >
> > I tried Gabitril for my anergy. It helped with the energy, but it induced anxiety
> symptoms (if you have a tendency). 24 mg is a huge dose, I would be scared. My dose was 5 mg a day in divided doses AM and PM.
> I've heard that Viagabitril is better for anxiety.
>
> Anna P.
Posted by Mitch on June 15, 2001, at 23:47:18
In reply to Re: Gabitril-Mitch and Anna, posted by Snowie on June 15, 2001, at 17:50:38
> Mitch and Anna,
>
> Thanks for the info. My new pdoc switched me from Neurontin to Gabitril as an add-on with Xanax for anxiety. I was happy with Neurontin, but he thought that Gabitril might work even better since it's a new anti-convulsant that he says works more on serotonin than does Neurontin. I don't know if that's good or bad. I like that you only take it once a day though. I'm only taking 2 mg. at night (not 24 mg., Anna), but he told me to increase it to 4 mg. at night in a week. Then I'll see him again after the second week and let him know what I think. So far I can't tell it's doing anything, but this is only my second day. I miss Neurontin since it started working on my anxiety immediately. Anyway, I figured I'd give this a try, but if it doesn't work I'll happily go back to Neurontin.
>
> SnowieSnowie,
I haven't written off the Gabitril for myself just yet(as an add-on at LOWER doses) despite my horror story at 24 mg/day. I did notice that it seemed to make me somewhat nervous-but it did clearly have antidepressant properties. The nervousness seemed to settle down after a couple of weeks though.
Do you think your pdoc is trying to replace the Xanax with Gabitril (he might not be telling you that right now)? Gabitril is a GABA reuptake inhibitor, so that may be the angle he is pursuing-trying to get you adjusted to the Gabitril as an antipanic agent and then wean you away from the Xanax...just a guess. OR rather come to think of it you switched from Neurontin to Gabitril, right? He might be trying to get you onto Gabitril monotheraphy... I don't know if that would work. If you had a good response to Neurontin I don't understand-why the switch??
Mitch
Posted by Snowie on June 16, 2001, at 11:23:45
In reply to Re: Gabitril-Mitch and Anna » Snowie, posted by Mitch on June 15, 2001, at 23:47:18
Mitch,
Are you saying that you like Gabitril better than Neurontin? I'm not taking it for depression; I'm taking it for anxiety, and as a mood regulator to a lesser extent. (Sorry, Anna, I misunderstood that you meant Mitch is taking 24 mg. of Gabitril.) I've started taking 4 mg. in the morning and 4 mg. at night, and I have noticed that I'm edgier than usual. I want something that will take away the anxiety, not enhance it. I've also noticed that I'm urinating more (which is a plus), but that may or may not be caused by the Gabitril.
This new pdoc actually likes benzos, so I don't think he's trying to wean me off Xanax. If anything, I'm the one who's always trying to find new meds that will allow me to take less benzos, which is what Neurontin did for me. As to why he switched me from Neurontin to Gabitril, only he knows. This may sound sarcastic, but since this was my first visit, maybe he wanted to do something different than my last pdoc was doing, perhaps to justify me going to a pdoc outside of my insurance plan. My bipolar sister also sees him and he seems to think that because this disorder runs in families and Neurontin helps me with anxiety when it doesn't have that effect on most non-bipolar people, I may carry enough of the genes to where some bipolar meds may be helpful for me.
Snowie
> Snowie,
>
> I haven't written off the Gabitril for myself just yet(as an add-on at LOWER doses) despite my horror story at 24 mg/day. I did notice that it seemed to make me somewhat nervous-but it did clearly have antidepressant properties. The nervousness seemed to settle down after a couple of weeks though.
>
> Do you think your pdoc is trying to replace the Xanax with Gabitril (he might not be telling you that right now)? Gabitril is a GABA reuptake inhibitor, so that may be the angle he is pursuing-trying to get you adjusted to the Gabitril as an antipanic agent and then wean you away from the Xanax...just a guess. OR rather come to think of it you switched from Neurontin to Gabitril, right? He might be trying to get you onto Gabitril monotheraphy... I don't know if that would work. If you had a good response to Neurontin I don't understand-why the switch??
>
> Mitch
Posted by Mitch on June 16, 2001, at 15:05:06
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Mitch, posted by Snowie on June 16, 2001, at 11:23:45
Snowie,
Sorry, for any miscommunication (I also have ADHD, but that is no excuse)! No, I am not saying that I like Gabitril better-overall. The Neurontin was better for my anxiety in my case like yours and I have just as much or more problems with anxiety than with bipolar anyway. I think your new pdoc (and to some degree my thinking) towards Gabitril is something like this: Well, you only have to take it once/twice a day, it is the first "designed" anticonvulsant, since it blocks reuptake of GABA it *should* do this and that, etc., etc. AND YES, I have run into that situation when you switch docs-they want to switch meds, too-because of course that *other* doc doesn't have as good as judgement as I HAVE. OR, they may think they need to switch your meds-(because that is why you quit your last doctor).
Oh, it has been a while since I have taken any Gabitril-when Ihad the numbness/derealization at 24mg/day I stopped it COLD and went back to Neurontin. I am just curious if I *added* back a much smaller dose of it that it would augment the Neurontin I currently take-whew! there, I think I got myself untangled about it.Mitch
> Mitch,
>
> Are you saying that you like Gabitril better than Neurontin? I'm not taking it for depression; I'm taking it for anxiety, and as a mood regulator to a lesser extent. (Sorry, Anna, I misunderstood that you meant Mitch is taking 24 mg. of Gabitril.) I've started taking 4 mg. in the morning and 4 mg. at night, and I have noticed that I'm edgier than usual. I want something that will take away the anxiety, not enhance it. I've also noticed that I'm urinating more (which is a plus), but that may or may not be caused by the Gabitril.
>
> This new pdoc actually likes benzos, so I don't think he's trying to wean me off Xanax. If anything, I'm the one who's always trying to find new meds that will allow me to take less benzos, which is what Neurontin did for me. As to why he switched me from Neurontin to Gabitril, only he knows. This may sound sarcastic, but since this was my first visit, maybe he wanted to do something different than my last pdoc was doing, perhaps to justify me going to a pdoc outside of my insurance plan. My bipolar sister also sees him and he seems to think that because this disorder runs in families and Neurontin helps me with anxiety when it doesn't have that effect on most non-bipolar people, I may carry enough of the genes to where some bipolar meds may be helpful for me.
>
> Snowie
>
> > Snowie,
> >
> > I haven't written off the Gabitril for myself just yet(as an add-on at LOWER doses) despite my horror story at 24 mg/day. I did notice that it seemed to make me somewhat nervous-but it did clearly have antidepressant properties. The nervousness seemed to settle down after a couple of weeks though.
> >
> > Do you think your pdoc is trying to replace the Xanax with Gabitril (he might not be telling you that right now)? Gabitril is a GABA reuptake inhibitor, so that may be the angle he is pursuing-trying to get you adjusted to the Gabitril as an antipanic agent and then wean you away from the Xanax...just a guess. OR rather come to think of it you switched from Neurontin to Gabitril, right? He might be trying to get you onto Gabitril monotheraphy... I don't know if that would work. If you had a good response to Neurontin I don't understand-why the switch??
> >
> > Mitch
Posted by Snowie on June 17, 2001, at 8:27:35
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Snowie, posted by Mitch on June 16, 2001, at 15:05:06
Hi Mitch,
No problem. I probably have ADHD also (I'm looking into that). It just sounds as if you might like to try Gabitril again as an add-on to Neurontin, but in smaller doses. That's kind of funny when you think about it - an add-on to an add-on. Althought they each make me feel differently, don't they both work in almost the same way?
Although I like the effect of Neurontin, there are some side effects I don't care for. For instance, I'm not a huge eater but for some reason I've gained about 5-10 lbs. that won't come off. Bloating is another side effect that may or may not be attributable to Neurontin since I'm also on birth control pills, but I've been losing a ton of water since going on Gabitril. Neurontin seems to make me lethargic with Xanax, but Gabitril had me up doing things this weekend. I'm going to stick with this for a while and see what happens. I'm not taking this med for its stimulating properties (if any), but if it eventually works on anxiety and gives me more energy, wouldn't that be great?!
By the way, I was only taking Neurontin once or twice a day, so Gabitril is about the same in that area. I don't feel sedated, which is good, and I've had no problems sleeping so far.
What about sexual side effects from Gabitril? Decreased or increased libido - or no effect?
Yeah, I think my new pdoc wants to try something different than I was taking, probably so I can tell everyone what the new guy is doing. And if it works, he gets all the credit. If it doesn't, he's trying his best to find the perfect med combo for me. Seems with that strategy he can't lose.
Thanks for giving me more insight into this new med.
Snowie
> Snowie,
>
> Sorry, for any miscommunication (I also have ADHD, but that is no excuse)! No, I am not saying that I like Gabitril better-overall. The Neurontin was better for my anxiety in my case like yours and I have just as much or more problems with anxiety than with bipolar anyway. I think your new pdoc (and to some degree my thinking) towards Gabitril is something like this: Well, you only have to take it once/twice a day, it is the first "designed" anticonvulsant, since it blocks reuptake of GABA it *should* do this and that, etc., etc. AND YES, I have run into that situation when you switch docs-they want to switch meds, too-because of course that *other* doc doesn't have as good as judgement as I HAVE. OR, they may think they need to switch your meds-(because that is why you quit your last doctor).
> Oh, it has been a while since I have taken any Gabitril-when Ihad the numbness/derealization at 24mg/day I stopped it COLD and went back to Neurontin. I am just curious if I *added* back a much smaller dose of it that it would augment the Neurontin I currently take-whew! there, I think I got myself untangled about it.
>
> Mitch
Posted by Mitch on June 17, 2001, at 11:54:34
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Mitch, posted by Snowie on June 17, 2001, at 8:27:35
Hi Snowie,
I think a lot of weight-gain associated with some meds *can* be from the beneficial effects they give-for instance if you are agitated, pacing around-you might not be very hungry either. You take a med that settles you down you will probably burn less calories and have a better appetite.
I take Klonopin with Neurontin and they tend to have a little "synergistic" effect as well-which is good in my case. But too much Klonopin and my concentration suffers at work.
Yes, Gabitril is definitely activating (initially with lower doses). For me it definitely had antidepressant properties. I also must admit I got some *increased* libido with it as well. But, that may be because it was alleviating some symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy (which I don't know for sure if I have yet-but I am suspected of possibly having it).
The increased libido thing is probably the main reason I thought about adding it on to the Neurontin:) BTW-Trileptal(a med similar to Tegretol-used for rapid-cyclers) also increased libido for me, but it made so nauseous I couldn't stand it.The real downside of Gabitril(for most people anyway) is the cognitive adverse effects. Having ADHD makes me REAL sensitive to anything that fogs up my consciousness. Neurontin DEFINITELY improves ADHD symptoms for me, up to 900mg/day. If I took Gabitril as an add-on again, I would probably just take say 4mg at bedtime for several weeks before any dose increase.
Just an afterthought: I wonder..if the cognitive adverse effects with the Gabitril would slowly fade due to GABA receptor downregulation. (your brain adjusting to it)...? In that case you would need to increase the dose a *little* and then stay there for several weeks before another increase to prevent the cognitive problems..who knows? Sorry, for going on so, now I got myself really wondering about this med!
Thanks for sharing,
Mitch> Hi Mitch,
>
> No problem. I probably have ADHD also (I'm looking into that). It just sounds as if you might like to try Gabitril again as an add-on to Neurontin, but in smaller doses. That's kind of funny when you think about it - an add-on to an add-on. Althought they each make me feel differently, don't they both work in almost the same way?
>
> Although I like the effect of Neurontin, there are some side effects I don't care for. For instance, I'm not a huge eater but for some reason I've gained about 5-10 lbs. that won't come off. Bloating is another side effect that may or may not be attributable to Neurontin since I'm also on birth control pills, but I've been losing a ton of water since going on Gabitril. Neurontin seems to make me lethargic with Xanax, but Gabitril had me up doing things this weekend. I'm going to stick with this for a while and see what happens. I'm not taking this med for its stimulating properties (if any), but if it eventually works on anxiety and gives me more energy, wouldn't that be great?!
>
> By the way, I was only taking Neurontin once or twice a day, so Gabitril is about the same in that area. I don't feel sedated, which is good, and I've had no problems sleeping so far.
>
> What about sexual side effects from Gabitril? Decreased or increased libido - or no effect?
>
> Yeah, I think my new pdoc wants to try something different than I was taking, probably so I can tell everyone what the new guy is doing. And if it works, he gets all the credit. If it doesn't, he's trying his best to find the perfect med combo for me. Seems with that strategy he can't lose.
>
> Thanks for giving me more insight into this new med.
>
> Snowie
>
> > Snowie,
> >
> > Sorry, for any miscommunication (I also have ADHD, but that is no excuse)! No, I am not saying that I like Gabitril better-overall. The Neurontin was better for my anxiety in my case like yours and I have just as much or more problems with anxiety than with bipolar anyway. I think your new pdoc (and to some degree my thinking) towards Gabitril is something like this: Well, you only have to take it once/twice a day, it is the first "designed" anticonvulsant, since it blocks reuptake of GABA it *should* do this and that, etc., etc. AND YES, I have run into that situation when you switch docs-they want to switch meds, too-because of course that *other* doc doesn't have as good as judgement as I HAVE. OR, they may think they need to switch your meds-(because that is why you quit your last doctor).
> > Oh, it has been a while since I have taken any Gabitril-when Ihad the numbness/derealization at 24mg/day I stopped it COLD and went back to Neurontin. I am just curious if I *added* back a much smaller dose of it that it would augment the Neurontin I currently take-whew! there, I think I got myself untangled about it.
> >
> > Mitch
Posted by Snowie on June 18, 2001, at 22:31:57
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Snowie, posted by Mitch on June 17, 2001, at 11:54:34
Mitch,
Most anti-anxiety meds I've taken (Xanax, Klonopin, Tranxene) have had the opposite effect on me, that is, I lose weight. When I'm anxious I suppose food has a calming effect, so when I'm not anxious I don't overeat, I fill up quicker, and I'm less interested in food in general. When I went off Xanax a few years ago, I gained 20 lbs. in a little over a year (I eventually lost it). Neurontin may be the exception, but I was taking so little each day (600 mg. max) that I'm not certain Neurontin caused me to gain 10 lbs. I'm not certain that it didn't either. I do notice that I'm not as tired in general since going off Neurontin, so the weight gain may have been caused from being less active. I also fell and fractured a vertebrae in February, so that may have a lot to do with the recent weight gain.
So far Gabitril doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. How long before I should notice a reduction in anxiety? Even though I'm taking Xanax, I feel more nervous than usual. I think I made a mistake before - I'm taking 2 mg. in the morning and 2 mg. in the evening, for a total of 4 mg. of Gabitril a day.
Depending upon the dosage, Klonopin and Neurontin might also work well for me. As for adverse cognitive effects, although Klonopin didn't work as well the second and third time I took it, the first time I definitely recall having concentration problems, but that side effect diminished after several months. I have gotten worse concentration and brain fog effects from Neurontin after taking 300 mg. in the morning, which was the reason I usually only took it once a day. That brain fog effect was starting to abate if I took Xanax first in the morning. Neurontin almost always worked well at night, and I would rarely wake up anxious. As for adverse cognitive effects with Gabitril, it hasn't affected my thinking so far, but maybe that's because I'm taking such a low dose.
I'm not taking any med for depression, and I don't recall feeling any different on Neurontin other than being less anxious. So far, Gabitril doesn't appear to be having any effect on my mood, although I'm a little peppier, which might not be the medication. As for libido, neither med seems to have affected it one way or the other.
Snowie
> Hi Snowie,
>
> I think a lot of weight-gain associated with some meds *can* be from the beneficial effects they give-for instance if you are agitated, pacing around-you might not be very hungry either. You take a med that settles you down you will probably burn less calories and have a better appetite.
>
> I take Klonopin with Neurontin and they tend to have a little "synergistic" effect as well-which is good in my case. But too much Klonopin and my concentration suffers at work.
>
> Yes, Gabitril is definitely activating (initially with lower doses). For me it definitely had antidepressant properties. I also must admit I got some *increased* libido with it as well. But, that may be because it was alleviating some symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy (which I don't know for sure if I have yet-but I am suspected of possibly having it).
> The increased libido thing is probably the main reason I thought about adding it on to the Neurontin:) BTW-Trileptal(a med similar to Tegretol-used for rapid-cyclers) also increased libido for me, but it made so nauseous I couldn't stand it.
>
> The real downside of Gabitril(for most people anyway) is the cognitive adverse effects. Having ADHD makes me REAL sensitive to anything that fogs up my consciousness. Neurontin DEFINITELY improves ADHD symptoms for me, up to 900mg/day. If I took Gabitril as an add-on again, I would probably just take say 4mg at bedtime for several weeks before any dose increase.
>
> Just an afterthought: I wonder..if the cognitive adverse effects with the Gabitril would slowly fade due to GABA receptor downregulation. (your brain adjusting to it)...? In that case you would need to increase the dose a *little* and then stay there for several weeks before another increase to prevent the cognitive problems..who knows? Sorry, for going on so, now I got myself really wondering about this med!
>
> Thanks for sharing,
> Mitch
Posted by Mitch on June 18, 2001, at 23:18:42
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Mitch, posted by Snowie on June 18, 2001, at 22:31:57
Hi Snowie,
I hadn't thought of that possibility-getting uptight and eating to alleviate the anxiety (that is actually a common response). Usually, if I get uptight and I don't eat at all.
The trick to figuring out whether Gabitril is causing anxiety versus NOT taking Neurontin is when you get the most anxious. Ask your pdoc if you can take all of the Gabitril at bedtime (4mg). If you see an improvement in your daytime anxiety (NOT taking it in the morning as well), it is probably the Gabitril triggering it. This is just an intuition: If you had success with Neurontin before and could tolerate it (to some degree), then why not bring the Neurontin back in right now (Neurontin+Gabitril+Xanax) and see if the anxiety *resolves*. You said you didn't like taking 300mg Neurontin during the daytime. My suspicion is that you might see about taking the 4mg Gabitril (all at bedtime) AND adding back 300-400mg Neurontin at bedtime with it and just take the Xanax during the day and see how that goes. If it works and it seems better than Neurontin+Xanxax was previously, THEN increase the Gabitril from there carefully.
Hope this is not too convoluted a response!
Mitch
> Mitch,
>
> Most anti-anxiety meds I've taken (Xanax, Klonopin, Tranxene) have had the opposite effect on me, that is, I lose weight. When I'm anxious I suppose food has a calming effect, so when I'm not anxious I don't overeat, I fill up quicker, and I'm less interested in food in general. When I went off Xanax a few years ago, I gained 20 lbs. in a little over a year (I eventually lost it). Neurontin may be the exception, but I was taking so little each day (600 mg. max) that I'm not certain Neurontin caused me to gain 10 lbs. I'm not certain that it didn't either. I do notice that I'm not as tired in general since going off Neurontin, so the weight gain may have been caused from being less active. I also fell and fractured a vertebrae in February, so that may have a lot to do with the recent weight gain.
>
> So far Gabitril doesn't seem to be doing much of anything. How long before I should notice a reduction in anxiety? Even though I'm taking Xanax, I feel more nervous than usual. I think I made a mistake before - I'm taking 2 mg. in the morning and 2 mg. in the evening, for a total of 4 mg. of Gabitril a day.
>
> Depending upon the dosage, Klonopin and Neurontin might also work well for me. As for adverse cognitive effects, although Klonopin didn't work as well the second and third time I took it, the first time I definitely recall having concentration problems, but that side effect diminished after several months. I have gotten worse concentration and brain fog effects from Neurontin after taking 300 mg. in the morning, which was the reason I usually only took it once a day. That brain fog effect was starting to abate if I took Xanax first in the morning. Neurontin almost always worked well at night, and I would rarely wake up anxious. As for adverse cognitive effects with Gabitril, it hasn't affected my thinking so far, but maybe that's because I'm taking such a low dose.
>
> I'm not taking any med for depression, and I don't recall feeling any different on Neurontin other than being less anxious. So far, Gabitril doesn't appear to be having any effect on my mood, although I'm a little peppier, which might not be the medication. As for libido, neither med seems to have affected it one way or the other.
>
> Snowie
>
Posted by Snowie on June 22, 2001, at 19:33:25
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Snowie, posted by Mitch on June 18, 2001, at 23:18:42
Hi Mitch,
No, your response was perfect. I guess everybody is different in how they react to anxiety. It would be great for me if I only ate when I was calm since it would be easier for me to stay thin.
I've been taking 4 mg. of Gabitril at night only for about 5 days. It's done nothing for my daytime or night time anxiety, but it seems to have made me a little more energetic. Perhaps I'll go on Klonopin and Neurontin when I see my pdoc next week, but he also mentioned that he would like me to try Wellbutrin. I'm totally confused. Why would a pdoc give an anxious patient who has no history of depression something that would make her even more anxious? I don't mind being a guinea pig, but it seems counter productive since one med peps you up and the other calms you down.
Snowie
> Hi Snowie,
>
> I hadn't thought of that possibility-getting uptight and eating to alleviate the anxiety (that is actually a common response). Usually, if I get uptight and I don't eat at all.
>
> The trick to figuring out whether Gabitril is causing anxiety versus NOT taking Neurontin is when you get the most anxious. Ask your pdoc if you can take all of the Gabitril at bedtime (4mg). If you see an improvement in your daytime anxiety (NOT taking it in the morning as well), it is probably the Gabitril triggering it. This is just an intuition: If you had success with Neurontin before and could tolerate it (to some degree), then why not bring the Neurontin back in right now (Neurontin+Gabitril+Xanax) and see if the anxiety *resolves*. You said you didn't like taking 300mg Neurontin during the daytime. My suspicion is that you might see about taking the 4mg Gabitril (all at bedtime) AND adding back 300-400mg Neurontin at bedtime with it and just take the Xanax during the day and see how that goes. If it works and it seems better than Neurontin+Xanxax was previously, THEN increase the Gabitril from there carefully.
>
> Hope this is not too convoluted a response!
>
> Mitch
Posted by Mitch on June 22, 2001, at 23:39:09
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Mitch, posted by Snowie on June 22, 2001, at 19:33:25
> Hi Mitch,
> I've been taking 4 mg. of Gabitril at night only for about 5 days. It's done nothing for my daytime or night time anxiety, but it seems to have made me a little more energetic. Perhaps I'll go on Klonopin and Neurontin when I see my pdoc next week, but he also mentioned that he would like me to try Wellbutrin. I'm totally confused. Why would a pdoc give an anxious patient who has no history of depression something that would make her even more anxious? I don't mind being a guinea pig, but it seems counter productive since one med peps you up and the other calms you down.
>
> Snowie
>Snowie,
The suggestion of Wellbutrin does seem a little odd-when you are complaining of anxiety not depression. If the Gabitril is activating and has an antidepressant effect, just squawk the anxiety and leave the Gabitril on board without an AD. If you don't need to take an AD, why start?? Maybe you can just stay on the Gabitril+Xanax combo and see what happens?? You are still on Xanax during the day right? Hey , if it is working, why rock the boat?Mitch
Posted by Snowie on June 24, 2001, at 10:08:23
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Snowie, posted by Mitch on June 22, 2001, at 23:39:09
Mitch,
Thanks for responding. Maybe I'm not making myself clear, but Gabitril doesn't seem to be working on my anxiety, and I don't have depression. It does seem to have an energizing effect, although that may be because it doesn't work as well with Xanax as Neurontin did. I think I'm going to go off Gabitril when I see my new pdoc on Wednesday.
Snowie
> Snowie,
> The suggestion of Wellbutrin does seem a little odd-when you are complaining of anxiety not depression. If the Gabitril is activating and has an antidepressant effect, just squawk the anxiety and leave the Gabitril on board without an AD. If you don't need to take an AD, why start?? Maybe you can just stay on the Gabitril+Xanax combo and see what happens?? You are still on Xanax during the day right? Hey , if it is working, why rock the boat?
>
> Mitch
>
> > Hi Mitch,
> > I've been taking 4 mg. of Gabitril at night only for about 5 days. It's done nothing for my daytime or night time anxiety, but it seems to have made me a little more energetic. Perhaps I'll go on Klonopin and Neurontin when I see my pdoc next week, but he also mentioned that he would like me to try Wellbutrin. I'm totally confused. Why would a pdoc give an anxious patient who has no history of depression something that would make her even more anxious? I don't mind being a guinea pig, but it seems counter productive since one med peps you up and the other calms you down.
> >
> > Snowie
Posted by Mitch on June 24, 2001, at 12:47:24
In reply to Re: Gabitril » Mitch, posted by Snowie on June 24, 2001, at 10:08:23
Snowie,
I didn't realize that. Yes, maybe switching the Gabitril back to Neurontin might be best. Still don't understand why your pdoc wants to give you Wellbutrin though.Mitch
> Mitch,
>
> Thanks for responding. Maybe I'm not making myself clear, but Gabitril doesn't seem to be working on my anxiety, and I don't have depression. It does seem to have an energizing effect, although that may be because it doesn't work as well with Xanax as Neurontin did. I think I'm going to go off Gabitril when I see my new pdoc on Wednesday.
>
> Snowie
>
> > Snowie,
> > The suggestion of Wellbutrin does seem a little odd-when you are complaining of anxiety not depression. If the Gabitril is activating and has an antidepressant effect, just squawk the anxiety and leave the Gabitril on board without an AD. If you don't need to take an AD, why start?? Maybe you can just stay on the Gabitril+Xanax combo and see what happens?? You are still on Xanax during the day right? Hey , if it is working, why rock the boat?
> >
> > Mitch
> >
> > > Hi Mitch,
> > > I've been taking 4 mg. of Gabitril at night only for about 5 days. It's done nothing for my daytime or night time anxiety, but it seems to have made me a little more energetic. Perhaps I'll go on Klonopin and Neurontin when I see my pdoc next week, but he also mentioned that he would like me to try Wellbutrin. I'm totally confused. Why would a pdoc give an anxious patient who has no history of depression something that would make her even more anxious? I don't mind being a guinea pig, but it seems counter productive since one med peps you up and the other calms you down.
> > >
> > > Snowie
This is the end of the thread.
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