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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 chloe on August 22, 2001, at 17:39:07
Does anyone know if neurontin is a good mood stabiliizer on it's own? I have always used neurontin as an adjust to other stabilizers like tegretol or trileptal. Now that I am just on neurontin, I wonder if neurontin can do the job of smoothing out swings without another stabilizer on board.
Has anyone had success with neurontin as their primary mood stabilizer for BP 2 or major instability? I can't seem to find much about neurontin used alone in the archives....
Gratefully
Chloe
Posted by Zo on August 22, 2001, at 18:55:34
In reply to How good is NEURONTIN as a mood stablizer?, posted by chloe on August 22, 2001, at 17:39:07
> Has anyone had success with neurontin as their primary mood stabilizer for BP 2 or major instability? I can't seem to find much about neurontin used alone in the archives....
> Gratefully
> ChloeNo, not really. It helped smooth out alot, for 2 years. . .but I also have TLE. I've read a fair amount here that it doesn't seem to work as a primarly mood stabilizer.
Zo
Posted by sarahcat on August 22, 2001, at 23:22:30
In reply to How good is NEURONTIN as a mood stablizer?, posted by chloe on August 22, 2001, at 17:39:07
Hi Chloe,
I started taking Neurontin about eight months ago for mood stabilization and anxiety reduction (I'm not dx'ed as bipolar II, just wicked bad double depression that "cycles" rapidly). I quickly went from 300mg at bedtime to 3000mg total per day spread over four doses. It did a great job with anxiety reduction, but since Lithium was also added about three months ago, I guess it didn't really succeed as a stand-alone mood stabilizer. I still wouldn't forego it, though.
Good luck,
Sarah
> Does anyone know if neurontin is a good mood stabiliizer on it's own? I have always used neurontin as an adjust to other stabilizers like tegretol or trileptal. Now that I am just on neurontin, I wonder if neurontin can do the job of smoothing out swings without another stabilizer on board.
>
> Has anyone had success with neurontin as their primary mood stabilizer for BP 2 or major instability? I can't seem to find much about neurontin used alone in the archives....
> Gratefully
> Chloe
Posted by Mitch on August 23, 2001, at 0:40:26
In reply to How good is NEURONTIN as a mood stablizer?, posted by chloe on August 22, 2001, at 17:39:07
> Does anyone know if neurontin is a good mood stabiliizer on it's own? I have always used neurontin as an adjust to other stabilizers like tegretol or trileptal. Now that I am just on neurontin, I wonder if neurontin can do the job of smoothing out swings without another stabilizer on board.
>
> Has anyone had success with neurontin as their primary mood stabilizer for BP 2 or major instability? I can't seem to find much about neurontin used alone in the archives....
> Gratefully
> ChloeHi Chloe!
There was a recent study that showed gabapentin effective for controlling cycling. Before this one I believe the results were inconclusive. There was also some anecdotal stuff I heard here that gabapentin had been shown to be *selectively* quite effective for people that had bipolar start in their teenage years with high overlap of ADHD and mixed states. I seem to need something "else" with it though for the best stability. BUT, it is the only mood stabilizer I have taken that clearly improves my attention (doesn't WORSEN IT) AND calms me down.
Mitch
Posted by kid47 on August 23, 2001, at 10:28:53
In reply to How good is NEURONTIN as a mood stablizer?, posted by chloe on August 22, 2001, at 17:39:07
Hi. I was taking 800mgx4/day Neurontin to control rapid cycling. It was great for anxiety & seemed to have a subtle effect on the mood swings. Added Topamax 50mgx2/day to the mix & got excellent results with negligible side fx. Was also taking FXR XR 225mg/day & Klonopin p r n. Take care
kid
> Does anyone know if neurontin is a good mood stabiliizer on it's own? I have always used neurontin as an adjust to other stabilizers like tegretol or trileptal. Now that I am just on neurontin, I wonder if neurontin can do the job of smoothing out swings without another stabilizer on board.
>
> Has anyone had success with neurontin as their primary mood stabilizer for BP 2 or major instability? I can't seem to find much about neurontin used alone in the archives....
> Gratefully
> Chloe
Posted by chloe on August 23, 2001, at 19:34:53
In reply to Re: How good is NEURONTIN as a mood stablizer? » chloe, posted by kid47 on August 23, 2001, at 10:28:53
Most of you have confirmed my experience. I am extremely unstable, and having trouble coping without a major AC on board. But I have to wait til at least Sept. 1 before I add anything. My pdoc and I agreed I need a "washout" period to see where I am at emotionally since trileptal and topamax trials failed.
The pdoc did say I could increase the neurontin to the 600-900 mgs range. But from your posts, that doesn't seem like enough for mood stability, if it is even possible on this drug...The increase my help with anxiety however...Thank you everyone for your prompt and informative posts.
Chloe
This is the end of the thread.
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