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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 10 to 34 of 34. Go back in thread:
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
Posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 1:30:31
In reply to Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by GreenP on May 24, 2010, at 14:01:10
I don't know if my other post went through, but allow me to add that this once super fun drug also has killed my libido and ability to "finish"
Posted by Brainbeard on June 9, 2010, at 3:34:31
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 1:30:31
> I don't know if my other post went through, but allow me to add that this once super fun drug also has killed my libido and ability to "finish"
Gabapentin?! Aren't you taking other suspicious meds?
Posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 3:55:05
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by Brainbeard on June 9, 2010, at 3:34:31
I was, once upon a time. But what I had said in the post that is lost was that this drug's effects changed. It saved my life 10 years ago. Then I just continued to use it recreationally. It made me euphoric once,. Now it does just the opposite. Without my realizing it, I have become a veritable hermit. This is sooooooo not me. I feel as if the drug betrayed me because its effects just changed! And yet I still need it for anxiety.
But really - I haven't used an ssri for months. IF I can manage to skip a few days of neurontin then I can "finish" - I can even want to start.
HA - Allow me some other time to tell you about the strains on my marriage and I will say that I sometimes feel that it does not matter that my husband feels inadequate. I have a pretty steady supply. I can just pop pills and WISH that the old euphoria were still available to me, but cozy up to the depression that it leaves me with at this juncture.
Yeah... I am doing the 12 step business over neurontin.
Wow.....
I wonder if the generic version is the culprit! Has anyone else noticed a difference?
Anyway, don't do drugs. Just say no.
> > I don't know if my other post went through, but allow me to add that this once super fun drug also has killed my libido and ability to "finish"
>
> Gabapentin?! Aren't you taking other suspicious meds?
>
>
Posted by Conundrum on June 9, 2010, at 11:02:39
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 3:55:05
Generic versions of this drug don't work well for epilepsy so it may be the same with your depression. But it could just be the abuse has messed up part of your brain.
Posted by humanPDR on June 9, 2010, at 11:53:46
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience, posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 3:55:05
>>>>>>Stewie's post:
> I was, once upon a time. But what I had said in the post that is lost was that this drug's effects changed. It saved my life 10 years ago. Then I just continued to use it recreationally. It made me euphoric once,. Now it does just the opposite. Without my realizing it, I have become a veritable hermit. This is sooooooo not me. I feel as if the drug betrayed me because its effects just changed! And yet I still need it for anxiety.
> > But really - I haven't used an ssri for months. IF I can manage to skip a few days of neurontin then I can "finish" - I can even want to start.
> HA - Allow me some other time to tell you about the strains on my marriage and I will say that I sometimes feel that it does not matter that my husband feels inadequate. I have a pretty steady supply. I can just pop pills and WISH that the old euphoria were still available to me, but cozy up to the depression that it leaves me with at this juncture.
> Yeah... I am doing the 12 step business over neurontin.
> I wonder if the generic version is the culprit! Has anyone else noticed a difference?
> Anyway, don't do drugs. Just say no.
> > > I don't know if my other post went through, but allow me to add that this once super fun drug also has killed my libido and ability to "finish"
STEWIE-so you have been taking high-dose gabapentin (henceforth 'GP') daily for how long exactly? You mentioned 12 steps, so I am assuming you are trying to stop using GP.If you have been using at that high dose for a decade as you say, then be EXTREMELY careful with detox. There are withdrawals (W/Ds) from continual GP use and apparently they can be dangerous, similar to those of benzos/barbiturates/EtOH.
So if you are quiting, taper your dose VERY VERY SLOWLY over a period of months to be on the safe side. Not much is known/reported about GP W/Ds but there have been case studies with W/D-symptoms after only 4 weeks at 500mg/day. Symptoms can range from mild (anxiety, insomnia, irritability) to seizures, status epilepticus (tonic-clonic aka grand mal seizure >30 min), hallucinations and psychosis. It seems that the only way to terminate or lessen W/Ds is GP itself, so SLOWLY tapering down the dose would seem the best method.
Link to case reports for GP W/Ds:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/182001126.htmlSo whatever you do, make sure to take it slow and try to find some advice from a trusted MD. Also let someone close to you know that you are detoxing from GP so they will know what to do in case of an emergency. I think there are GP-detox centers somewhere--get info from them as they surely know best.
GOOD LUCK
--humanPDR
Posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 12:09:26
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience))stewie, posted by humanPDR on June 9, 2010, at 11:53:46
Thank you PDR. I am OK on that front. My doctor did a careful taper. I appreciate your kind words.
As for conundrum - I would like to assume that you were not being cruel by saying that I have damaged my brain. I am going to just assume that I misunderstood the tenor of your words because email is so murky and leaves so many opportunities for misunderstandings.
Posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 12:12:43
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience » stewie, posted by Conundrum on June 9, 2010, at 11:02:39
Posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 12:15:26
In reply to Re: Neurontin (gabapentin) Bad Experience))stewie, posted by humanPDR on June 9, 2010, at 11:53:46
PDR - I have used it for 10 years
Posted by Conundrum on June 10, 2010, at 0:02:11
In reply to Conundrum - I think I really misread, Sorry (nm), posted by stewie on June 9, 2010, at 12:12:43
np, I think I misread what you wrote, since now it after rereading it seems like the sexual problems stops when you discontinue the drug? So it doesn't sound permanent. Although some change has occurred to you where the drug now causes SD.
I agree with what the other poster said about discontinuing slowly. Thats probably the best idea otherwise you could be facing rebound anxiety on top of any returning anxiety you might have. This will just make getting off the drug harder to do. Hopefully there is a way of getting by without drugs since the benzo are addictive and the SSRIs can cause sexual dysfunction.
This is the end of the thread.
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