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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sac on July 31, 2004, at 7:43:36
I know it's generally not indicated for mood stabilization in Bipolar II but I was wondering whether anyone had success with Neurontin. I have difficulty tolerating Lamictal, Lithium, and Depakote due to side effects. I want to give Neurontin a try along with my 20mgs. Prozac, 75 mgs. Bupropion. It tends to have a good anti-agitation effect and helps me sleep. It also doesn't make me feel as dysphoric as Lamictal and Depakote. My only concern is would it be effective as prevention of future depressive/mild hypomanic episodes? I have read that the studies are not positive for that but perhaps someone has had a good experience. Thanks for any inputs. -Stacey
Posted by SLS on July 31, 2004, at 8:12:58
In reply to Neurontin success stories????, posted by sac on July 31, 2004, at 7:43:36
> I know it's generally not indicated for mood stabilization in Bipolar II but I was wondering whether anyone had success with Neurontin. I have difficulty tolerating Lamictal, Lithium, and Depakote due to side effects. I want to give Neurontin a try along with my 20mgs. Prozac, 75 mgs. Bupropion. It tends to have a good anti-agitation effect and helps me sleep. It also doesn't make me feel as dysphoric as Lamictal and Depakote. My only concern is would it be effective as prevention of future depressive/mild hypomanic episodes? I have read that the studies are not positive for that but perhaps someone has had a good experience. Thanks for any inputs. -Stacey
Hi Stacey.The only thing I would like to offer you about Neurontin is that it does have psychtropic properties that I don't think have been fully qualified. In other words, it is not just a sugar pill. If you can afford the time to experiment, it might be worth a try.
Are you looking to replace your antidepressants with a mood stabilizer?
If you are motivated enough to work with mood stabilizers, you might want to look at Trileptal after working with Neurontin.
- Scott
Posted by sac on July 31, 2004, at 13:03:44
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories????, posted by SLS on July 31, 2004, at 8:12:58
>Hi, thanks for the response. Actually, I have also tried Trileptal and didn't like how I felt (depressed and "drunk"). I probably will need to stay on AD's based on my history but my Pdoc thinks I need a mood stabilizer. He's right about that, it's just a matter of being able to find the right one and stick with it. I could probably experiment with Neurontin for a bit. If I end up crashing into a depression, I'll have to run quickly for the Depakote and/or Geodon.
>
> Hi Stacey.
>
> The only thing I would like to offer you about Neurontin is that it does have psychtropic properties that I don't think have been fully qualified. In other words, it is not just a sugar pill. If you can afford the time to experiment, it might be worth a try.
>
> Are you looking to replace your antidepressants with a mood stabilizer?
>
> If you are motivated enough to work with mood stabilizers, you might want to look at Trileptal after working with Neurontin.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
Posted by SLS on July 31, 2004, at 13:41:07
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories????, posted by sac on July 31, 2004, at 13:03:44
> >Hi, thanks for the response. Actually, I have also tried Trileptal and didn't like how I felt (depressed and "drunk"). I probably will need to stay on AD's based on my history but my Pdoc thinks I need a mood stabilizer. He's right about that, it's just a matter of being able to find the right one and stick with it. I could probably experiment with Neurontin for a bit. If I end up crashing into a depression, I'll have to run quickly for the Depakote and/or Geodon.
Only curious - what is it about your experience that indicates a mood stabilizer is necessary? I am trying Zonegran as a mood stabilizer right now to see if it will help with depression. I am using it in combination with Lamictal, Abilify, and a TCA, I have been on it for 4 weeks, and all it has done for me is produce fatigue.
I would not discourage you from trying Neurontin. Although it is a drug that has been over-prescribed by many pdocs in recent years, I think it is probably now being underestimated by many others. I hope you respond well to it.
You might want to try Abilify in place of Geodon if Geodon was inadequate. I think Abilify has better a antidepressant effect for most people. Still, I don't think it is very good on its own.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by Emme on July 31, 2004, at 14:42:22
In reply to Neurontin success stories????, posted by sac on July 31, 2004, at 7:43:36
If neurontin doesn't pan out, think about trying Keppra. It's a little like neurontin in being (for me) a relatively gentle, calming drug. Also, I believe it is Sooshi who's had great success with Zonegran. Good luck.
Posted by theo on July 31, 2004, at 17:11:07
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories???? » sac, posted by Emme on July 31, 2004, at 14:42:22
Are you taking Keppra? If so are you taking it with an antidepressant?
Posted by Emme on July 31, 2004, at 17:30:12
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories???? » Emme, posted by theo on July 31, 2004, at 17:11:07
> Are you taking Keppra? If so are you taking it with an antidepressant?
I use Keppra sporadically right now. There have been times when I've taken it regularly, though. I'm on Lamictal and Xanax, and am trying aricept and mirapex. So no traditional ADs.
Posted by theo on July 31, 2004, at 17:39:34
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories???? » theo, posted by Emme on July 31, 2004, at 17:30:12
How is the Lamictal working for you? I'm at 75mg now and supposed to go to 100mg tonight but have been feeling more depressed the last few days then I ever have.
I was taking Keppra by itself before and my doc added Lamictal for an antidepressant but am thinking about dropping one of the mood stabizers for an SSRI.
Posted by Emme on August 1, 2004, at 5:31:10
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories???? » Emme, posted by theo on July 31, 2004, at 17:39:34
> How is the Lamictal working for you? I'm at 75mg now and supposed to go to 100mg tonight but have been feeling more depressed the last few days then I ever have.
>
> I was taking Keppra by itself before and my doc added Lamictal for an antidepressant but am thinking about dropping one of the mood stabizers for an SSRI.Lamictal is probably the most useful component of mood control for me. I'm less erratic on it and my therapist has told me she notices a big overall improvement (sometimes these things are even more obvious to others). The AD effects is not complete, however, and I can still plunge down pretty low. I'd love monotherapy with it, and according to my pdoc some people do have that, but I'm not one of them. I take 250. When I backed down to 200 I got worse. It may take some trial and error to find the correct dosage.
I think there are some drugs that can rapidly help with depression, and some drugs that plunge people down into more depression quickly. I don't think Lamictal is one that frequently pushes people into a rapid worsening (though anything is possible). If you are feeling worse for a few days, it might be part of the normal up and down of a mood disorder. Much as we want and need relief as soon as possible, sometimes it pays to hang in as best you can for a little while. You may not have hit a therapeutic dose. My pdoc had told me that sometimes you have to be on Lamictal a while to get a decent response. Just keep communicating with your doctor.
Good luck if you try an SSRI.
Posted by sac on August 1, 2004, at 7:06:32
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories????, posted by SLS on July 31, 2004, at 13:41:07
Mostly, I suffer from rapidly recurring major depressions but I also have had several hypomanic episodes when not on mood stabilizers (spending sprees, agitation, overactivity, extreme irritability but with a dysphoric mood so I guess this would be a mixed state). My main problem is chronic low grade depression (even on continuous AD's) interspersed with periods of crashing into severe depressions.
> > >Hi, thanks for the response. Actually, I have also tried Trileptal and didn't like how I felt (depressed and "drunk"). I probably will need to stay on AD's based on my history but my Pdoc thinks I need a mood stabilizer. He's right about that, it's just a matter of being able to find the right one and stick with it. I could probably experiment with Neurontin for a bit. If I end up crashing into a depression, I'll have to run quickly for the Depakote and/or Geodon.
>
> Only curious - what is it about your experience that indicates a mood stabilizer is necessary? I am trying Zonegran as a mood stabilizer right now to see if it will help with depression. I am using it in combination with Lamictal, Abilify, and a TCA, I have been on it for 4 weeks, and all it has done for me is produce fatigue.
>
> I would not discourage you from trying Neurontin. Although it is a drug that has been over-prescribed by many pdocs in recent years, I think it is probably now being underestimated by many others. I hope you respond well to it.
>
> You might want to try Abilify in place of Geodon if Geodon was inadequate. I think Abilify has better a antidepressant effect for most people. Still, I don't think it is very good on its own.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
>
Posted by platinumbride on August 2, 2004, at 12:30:42
In reply to Re: Neurontin success stories????, posted by sac on August 1, 2004, at 7:06:32
Of all of the drugs I have tried within the past 3 years, the one I would be most reluctant to give up is neurontin. It calms me down when I feel anxious.
I don't know that in my case it is a mood stablizer (though I am BPII as well), but it is certainly one of the things that makes me feel a whole lot better. I see it as a sort of maintenance drug rather than as something that is actually helping to balance me out.
I've learned over the years to play around with the dosing (sometimes it seems as if the dose I am on stops working - and then I will go up a pill or down.
I just started lithium for the first time a few weeks ago and also zoloft for the second time in my life. In general I feel better but I still do love my neurontin ;)
Give it a try. It is most defintely a drug that is both loved and hated in the medical community, but see what it does for you.
Good luck,Diane
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