![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 34. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 10:57:02
Two days ago, I started on 1200 mg (400, t.i.d.) of gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Amazing stuff, really. After the first dose, pain 80% reduced. After the second dose, and thereafter, pretty much 100% gone. I still have the musculo-skeletal pain from the fracture malunion, but that's manageable with other drugs.
It's the psychotropic effects that have me wondering what to expect. The first night, I had a very important catharsis, a release of some troubled emotions, as I struggle through this bureacratic crap. It was a good thing, getting that out, and I think the gabapentin had a role in it. Overall, I feel quite mellow, but my brain function has changed, too. I'm not sure yet if it's good or bad, but it's certainly different. Sometimes I feel like my brain is swimming in popcorn. Other times, like everything is just in slow motion. I'm wondering if the psychotropic effects persist, or if they become less obvious over time.
Experiences?
TIA,
Lar
Posted by jay on March 26, 2005, at 16:18:27
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences?, posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 10:57:02
Lar, I had some good and some bad experiences with the med. On the good side it helped with anxiety (only when I took an antidepresent with it...because I would just get really depressed). I also found, as many of us have a hard time getting up and going in the morning, a bit of a dose of narcotic pain killers and Neurontin really got me up and going...and feeling really good.
I have two reasons why I stopped it, but remember we are all different. One was the weight gain...just unbelieveable...I had to eat every hour on the hour, and snack in between. The second was that the combination of all the food, and a certain mechanism in the drug brought up tons of acid reflux..it was like I was vomiting everything up. (Sorry for the gross details.)
But, for sure give it a shot and some time, and you can measure it's effects a bit better then.
Best of luck!
Jay
Posted by Ritch on March 26, 2005, at 17:35:30
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences?, posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 10:57:02
> Two days ago, I started on 1200 mg (400, t.i.d.) of gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Amazing stuff, really. After the first dose, pain 80% reduced. After the second dose, and thereafter, pretty much 100% gone. I still have the musculo-skeletal pain from the fracture malunion, but that's manageable with other drugs.
>
> It's the psychotropic effects that have me wondering what to expect. The first night, I had a very important catharsis, a release of some troubled emotions, as I struggle through this bureacratic crap. It was a good thing, getting that out, and I think the gabapentin had a role in it. Overall, I feel quite mellow, but my brain function has changed, too. I'm not sure yet if it's good or bad, but it's certainly different. Sometimes I feel like my brain is swimming in popcorn. Other times, like everything is just in slow motion. I'm wondering if the psychotropic effects persist, or if they become less obvious over time.
>
> Experiences?
>
> TIA,
> LarI've been on and off it since 1999. I've found it induces a mild euphoric hypomania.. something my pdoc doesn't like-so I'm off of it now. However.. it can really make a big difference for me when I get depressed or experience mixed-hostile like reactions. It may induce a mild hypomania.. BUT it has never made hostile and angry, I sleep better too, and strangely I felt activated on it during the day.
Posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 21:15:12
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences? » Larry Hoover, posted by Ritch on March 26, 2005, at 17:35:30
Lar,
They had my dad on Neurontin for diabetic neuropathy. He was taking 1800 mg's a day and it ended up ruining his mind. His memory went out the window (short and long term) and he was in the hospital many times for respiratory distress before they figured out it was the Neurontin dosage.It did help his diabetic pain (his feet burn) but it did a number on him mentally- he is bipolar so maybe that was the connection. He told me it made him depressed but I know for certain it made him act very weird. He hallucinated a lot on it as well.
BUT, he was on a high dosage and he's on a gizillion other medications as well. Who knows if there was an interaction somewhere.
Posted by cubbybear on March 27, 2005, at 5:16:31
In reply to my dad, posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 21:15:12
I'll always marvel at how just one night's dose of Neurontin knocked out the pain from herpes zoster that I had about one year ago.
Occasionally, I'll use Neurontin in a very lowdose (100 or 200 mg.) to help me sleep, since the side effect of somnolence is as good or better than what I'd get from taking Klonopin or Xanax for insomnia--although I do switch off between Neurontin and Xanax anyway. The only downside of using Neurontin for insomnia is the extra-groggy feeling in the morning, for the first half-hour after waking up.
I only wish that the analgesic qualities of Neurontin would be effective vs. the musculo-skeletal pain I now have from an injury. But I guess it's not neuropathic pain I'm up against here. I guess pain is much more complicated than a four-letter word.
Posted by cubbybear on March 27, 2005, at 5:17:29
In reply to my dad, posted by Spriggy on March 26, 2005, at 21:15:12
Posted by celticmom on March 28, 2005, at 7:41:38
In reply to Re: Sorry--last post intended for Larry! (nm), posted by cubbybear on March 27, 2005, at 5:17:29
My DH has been taking 1200mg 3x a day for anxiety on top of zoloft. If he misses a dose he becomes very tired, but that seems to be the extent of it. Overall though, this combo certainly seems to work for him.
I personally love the stuff because it helped me through some anxiety over an asthma attack. Since I had an attack a couple months ago, I've been having anxiety/panic attacks. I believe I hyperventilated one night, which caused another episode. I started taking DH's gabbas and the anxiety and breathing focus immediately went away.
I stopped taking it though because I didn't want to become dependant on it and so far my breathing seems to be okay.
Posted by franco neuro on March 28, 2005, at 13:36:22
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences?, posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 10:57:02
Hi,
I took it a number of years ago for neuropathic pain. I was taking it as one 300-600mg evening dose. Helped with pain. Helped me get a good night's sleep. I feel it facilitated a more natural sleep than the benzos I've taken. Last but not least, it intensified my orgasms. I would really like to know how it accomplished that last one.
I need to give it another run. Especially since it's a relatively benign medication that doesn't mess with the liver.
Posted by platinumbride on March 31, 2005, at 7:36:50
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences? » Larry Hoover, posted by franco neuro on March 28, 2005, at 13:36:22
I just had to put a word in here...
Neutontin is one weird med!!! It kills my ability to orgasm!!! It also makes me eat like a pig!!!
Aside from that, it has been so helpful to me that sometimes I think I will just give up on the rest of the junk and stick to neurontin,
Diane
> Hi,
>
> I took it a number of years ago for neuropathic pain. I was taking it as one 300-600mg evening dose. Helped with pain. Helped me get a good night's sleep. I feel it facilitated a more natural sleep than the benzos I've taken. Last but not least, it intensified my orgasms. I would really like to know how it accomplished that last one.
>
> I need to give it another run. Especially since it's a relatively benign medication that doesn't mess with the liver.
Posted by barbaracat on March 31, 2005, at 15:29:30
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences?, posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 10:57:02
I like neurontin. Was prescribed for fibromyalgia pain, which is doesn't do anything for. As long as I take it prn and not ongoing, it can be quite pleasant, soft, mellow. Sometimes I don't feel it doing a thing.
Haven't noticed any bad fx whatsoever, no weight gain, hunger, foggy head, nothing. Sometimes it works wonderfully as an antianxiety, and sometimes it doesn't work at all, at which point I take a break. - BarbaraCat
Posted by franco neuro on March 31, 2005, at 22:15:03
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences? » franco neuro, posted by platinumbride on March 31, 2005, at 7:36:50
Hi,
Sorry it didn't do the same for you as it did for me in regard to the "Big O". Just goes to show that no two of us have the same biochemistry, so we can never be sure what to expect from these wacky meds. It's true Neurontin can be a weird one. But in reality aren't they all? At least it won't fry your liver. I'm planning on augmenting my Wellbutrin with anti-convulsants at some point. Maybe I'll give Neurontin another shot. Or Lyrica. Have you ever tried Lyrica? It's often referred to as "Son of Neurontin." Might be worth considering...
Posted by hellolotte on April 18, 2010, at 11:37:32
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences? » platinumbride, posted by franco neuro on March 31, 2005, at 22:15:03
I tried Neurontin, in v. high doses, 1200+ daily, in 1998. It made me eat like crazy too--and bc I'd been through a dramatic stress-related weight loss, I was initially cheered and thought it a sign of recovery, which it was. However, I was not underweight enough to gracefully justify a gain of 35 pounds w/o feeling fat and needing clothes in sizes I had never worn. Thankfully I stopped taking it and the weight stopped miraculously accruing, but I still had to diet like anyone else, to drop to my normal 125 lbs.
In 2009 I tried it once again as a sleep aid, 4 hrs. before bed, 200 mg. It worked perfectly, though it left me w. a hangover at higher doses. I took it for about 10 days, careful to stay alert for weight/side-effects, and noticed something my MD said she had never heard of before: MUSCLE WEAKNESS.
I could no longer do my regular runs in Central Park without serious willpower and determination. The hills killed me, even stairs were challenging. I stopped instantly and made sure only to take it very intermittently.
Posted by Deneb on April 18, 2010, at 23:39:43
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences? » franco neuro, posted by hellolotte on April 18, 2010, at 11:37:32
Hello hellolotte!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! That thread you responded to was from 5 years ago so the people who posted may not reply.
It sounds like your side effects from Neurontin were too much to handle. I hope you find some answers here.
Deneb
Posted by hellolotte on April 19, 2010, at 10:50:47
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences? » hellolotte, posted by Deneb on April 18, 2010, at 23:39:43
Thanks Deneb. I appreciate the note. In the mid-90s I became fascinated with the wealth of info on psychopharmacology avail. online and then it waned as I felt better.
Lately I've been more focused on it, and was led to this site by the article in the Times. Best, Hellolotte
Posted by Brainbeard on April 22, 2010, at 14:24:28
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences?, posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 10:57:02
I don't have time to read the whole thread, this is only a reaction to the initial question.
The initial psychotropic effects, including euphoria, are usually short lasting.
I have gained some pain relief from gabapentin. It was effective in doses between 900 and 3600mg, while the difference between the lowest and the highest dose seem to be minimal.
It used to make me very drowsy for a while; then I quit, restarted and suddenly it seemed to be less effective, causing no side-effects at all but also helping little. I'm currently tapering it down.
I do think it's a nice drug that may help with chronic pain and also offers some recreational potential.
Posted by GreenP on May 24, 2010, at 14:01:10
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin)-- Experiences?, posted by Brainbeard on April 22, 2010, at 14:24:28
I had such a bad experience with Neurontin. I must be really sensitive to the drug because I found myself with no balance, falling all over the place. The first day I literally fell out of bed. My head was so foggy and my memory was completely gone. I was so lethargic I didn't want to do anything and I was very tired. My family was really worried about me. It actually caused me to be depressed and it's the 3rd day now and it's almost worn off. My doctor wants me to try it at a lower dose but I'm scared to because of how bad my reaction was to it the first time, and I can't get any further behind in school. It's strange that I haven't heard of anyone here having the same reaction.
P
Posted by sigismund on May 24, 2010, at 16:19:37
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by GreenP on May 24, 2010, at 14:01:10
>It's strange that I haven't heard of anyone here having the same reaction.
There are some in the archives.
It's a bit dodgy, IMO, dodgy but almost nice.
Posted by GreenP on June 2, 2010, at 17:38:56
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience » GreenP, posted by sigismund on May 24, 2010, at 16:19:37
I just wanted to note that I ended up trying the Neurontin at a lower dose (200 mg) and i find it to be helpful. It doesn't completely blow my anxiety out of the water, but it helps a little. I feel really foggy on the drug though, very spacey. I'm surprised I can tolerate it at all but my psychiatrist hasn't prescribed me anything else yet for anxiety so I will take what I can get.
Posted by sigismund on June 2, 2010, at 18:23:26
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by GreenP on June 2, 2010, at 17:38:56
It deepens sleep, which is nice.
Posted by lpslpslpslpslpslps on June 5, 2010, at 21:29:48
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by sigismund on June 2, 2010, at 18:23:26
I don't know a whole lot about it and I think everyone's experience is valid... but there isn't really any scientific evidence that neurontin therapy is helpful in the long term at ameliorating psychiatric symptoms. I think it is terribly overprescribed by psychiatrists, which I think is kind of unfortunate b/c they should know about the importance of evidence-based medicine.
I'm pretty sure the only evidence in favor of using neurontin to treat psychiatric illnesses is anecdotal, which just isn't trustworthy enough to justify a pharmaceutical treatment, in my opinion.
Posted by Brainbeard on June 6, 2010, at 1:21:02
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by lpslpslpslpslpslps on June 5, 2010, at 21:29:48
Posted by sigismund on June 6, 2010, at 2:11:11
In reply to Yeah, But Don't Forget It's An Effective Pain Med (nm) » lpslpslpslpslpslps, posted by Brainbeard on June 6, 2010, at 1:21:02
And it deepens sleep.
Some people try (what seem to me to be) high doses (a few grammes a day) and then say it pooped out.
300mg/d was useful.
I did wonder if it was damaging.
But then compared to other psych drugs, perhaps not?
Posted by Brainbeard on June 6, 2010, at 5:55:40
In reply to Re: Yeah, But Don't Forget It's An Effective Pain Med » Brainbeard, posted by sigismund on June 6, 2010, at 2:11:11
> And it deepens sleep.
>
> Some people try (what seem to me to be) high doses (a few grams a day) and then say it pooped out.
>
> 300mg/d was useful.
> I did wonder if it was damaging.
> But then compared to other psych drugs, perhaps not?Gabapentin damaging? Not more damaging than breathing in air IMNSHO. It does have the rare side-effect of inducing a lung infection, come to think of it.
It should be noted that gabapentin is praised by some as a recreational drug that can measure up to GHB in doses of a few grams taken at once. Just check the Erowid vaults. Tolerance builds fast, one can only achieve a worthwhile high about once a month, it is claimed. Others think it's all placebo. Apparently people react very differently to this drug.
I still have a stack purposed for recreational use. When I started off at 300mg, I had an unintended marvellous high, very religious in nature. I saw the trees shaking their arms, as it were, while riding in a bus. (It was me riding in the bus, not the trees. It wasn't THAT spacey..)
Posted by humanPDR on June 7, 2010, at 17:04:27
In reply to ...And Potentially A Worthwhile Recreational Drug, posted by Brainbeard on June 6, 2010, at 5:55:40
Gabapentin can be a great drug for neuropathic pain but also anxiety. Although it's mechanism of action wasn't truly understood until recently, it is believed to interact with calcium channels in presynaptic GABAergic neurons (if memory serves)which leads to an increase in glutamic acid decarboxylase, which converts glutamate into GABA, the inhibitory NT we all love. So essentially you get elevated GABA levels.
High doses (1000-2000mg) can be quite fun, with a slight euphoria accompanied by a sense on complete calmness and relaxation--great for someone with GAD. IMHO it doesnt come close to a GHB-feeling, but can be a fun pro-social drug.
Also tolerance to high doses does build quite rapidly (within 3-5 days) and so it is best used as needed otherwise you'll just be wasting it.
As far as damage? I sincerely doubt it. It actually prevents glutamate-excitotoxicity by preventing excess Ca2+ influx which can lead to cell death and free radical generation. Gabapentin can deff make you a zombie dumbass when you are on it, but history has demonstrated its safety and very low toxicity. People have survived something like a [xxx] ingestion.BUT if used daily long-term, it can produce physical dependence and must be gradually tapered to prevent seizures and other W/D symptoms. However I took ~1,200mg/day for 30 days and quit cold turkey with no noticeable w/d.
Every CNS reacts differently, but Gabapentin is prob one of THE SAFEST psychotropic pharmaceuticals out there.
Posted by humanPDR on June 7, 2010, at 19:10:48
In reply to Re: ...And Potentially A Worthwhile Recreational Drug, posted by humanPDR on June 7, 2010, at 17:04:27
Also Lyrica is superior IMO...75mg feels IDENTICAL to 1,200mg gabapentin. Titrate lyrica slowly though b/c it can impair/sedate you like a large benzo dose.
I also have chronic pain from a disc herniation (L5/S1) and lyrica is a superior analgesic to the hydrocodone(7.5/500)I am prescribed (a sh*tty drug IMHO).
Good luck
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.