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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lynne on October 4, 2004, at 0:57:05
Has anyone had experience with using Neurontin to help you sleep? Any side effects?
Posted by anxiety_free on October 4, 2004, at 1:11:32
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia?, posted by Lynne on October 4, 2004, at 0:57:05
> Has anyone had experience with using Neurontin to help you sleep? Any side effects?
I've taken it for sleep. I started out at 600mgs a nite, which initially beat me down (good thing: I had bad insomnia). Then the doc upped it to 900, and that stopped working, so I took Neurontin during the day and ambien at nite. Short-term, its OK, but you'll get tolerant pretty fast.
Posted by ace on October 4, 2004, at 1:13:16
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia?, posted by Lynne on October 4, 2004, at 0:57:05
> Has anyone had experience with using Neurontin to help you sleep? Any side effects?
Its excellant for sleep. s/eefect- orthostatic hypotension (maybe)
Posted by cubbybear on October 5, 2004, at 1:32:46
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia?, posted by ace on October 4, 2004, at 1:13:16
I took it as an analgesic for severe pain and discovered that its side effect was drowsiness; I got a great night sleep from it, which was quite welcome since I hadn't slept well for the previous 2 nights, because of the physical pain. So my knowledge is limited to only one night's sleep.
Posted by Ilene on October 6, 2004, at 19:02:46
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia?, posted by Lynne on October 4, 2004, at 0:57:05
> Has anyone had experience with using Neurontin to help you sleep? Any side effects?
I've been taking it for years. I can't sleep w/out it. Haven't noticed any SEs.
Posted by cubbybear on October 7, 2004, at 1:11:44
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia?, posted by Ilene on October 6, 2004, at 19:02:46
> > Has anyone had experience with using Neurontin to help you sleep? Any side effects?
>
> I've been taking it for years. I can't sleep w/out it. Haven't noticed any SEs.Could you say that the Neurontin is safe and non habit forming when taken for long periods? Did you have to keep on increasing the dose to maintain its hypnotic effect? And, if you wanted to quit taking it for sleep now, would you have discontinuation symptoms? What I'm really looking to find out is, if this drug can be a viable sleep enhancer without all the usual problems such as addiction, that come with sleep medication.
Posted by Ilene on October 7, 2004, at 12:22:50
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia? » Ilene, posted by cubbybear on October 7, 2004, at 1:11:44
> Could you say that the Neurontin is safe and non habit forming when taken for long periods? Did you have to keep on increasing the dose to maintain its hypnotic effect? And, if you wanted to quit taking it for sleep now, would you have discontinuation symptoms? What I'm really looking to find out is, if this drug can be a viable sleep enhancer without all the usual problems such as addiction, that come with sleep medication.
>
>
The only "discontinuation syndrome" I've experienced is that I have a hard time sleeping when I forget to take it. It seems to help me stay asleep, not just fall asleep. I don't think it's habit-forming. I've increased the dose a few times, but I've been at 1200 mg. since about March. It's supposed to be good for pain syndromes (I have chronic fatigue syndrome, which is painful when it flares up). The only downsides are that it's yet another drug and it may be contributing to my thinning hair (but probably not).
Posted by Speed on October 10, 2004, at 15:53:32
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia? » Ilene, posted by Ilene on October 7, 2004, at 12:22:50
My experience with Neurontin after having been on 800mg at night for about 3 years is: Yes it is addictive!!! I am trying to get off of it now! After 2 weeks I seem to be breaking loose from it.
Ron
Posted by cubbybear on October 10, 2004, at 22:15:11
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia?, posted by Speed on October 10, 2004, at 15:53:32
> My experience with Neurontin after having been on 800mg at night for about 3 years is: Yes it is addictive!!! I am trying to get off of it now! After 2 weeks I seem to be breaking loose from it.
> RonWhat kind of withdrawal symptoms have you experienced?
Posted by Speed on October 10, 2004, at 22:58:54
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia? » Speed, posted by cubbybear on October 10, 2004, at 22:15:11
High anxiety mixed with depression. Also some bowel discomforts and diahrea. I don't know if I'm going to get back on it or tough it out. I see the doc again next week. Serzone and Neurontin worked for a good while, but seem to have run their course.
Ron
This is the end of the thread.
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