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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 17, 2010, at 17:58:28
Or other meds-- lyrica? Just to raise trigger threshold? (I also have chronic pain and fatigue.)
Open to suggestions, too.
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2010, at 23:41:21
In reply to neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by floatingbridge on October 17, 2010, at 17:58:28
FB some say it's kind of like a benzo don't know never took it. Love Phillipa
Posted by creepy on October 20, 2010, at 14:23:28
In reply to neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by floatingbridge on October 17, 2010, at 17:58:28
Whether you treat just the depression or the PTSD symptoms, you need to weigh the risk versus benefit. for me, treating the PTSD had more health consequences and provided less benefit than treating just the depression. Im trying EMDR for the PTSD symptoms and using non-SSRI antidepressants to get me through therapy.
Posted by PartlyCloudy on October 20, 2010, at 15:13:18
In reply to neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by floatingbridge on October 17, 2010, at 17:58:28
Well, I'm going back on Cymbalta partly for the antidepressant effects, but mostly for the relief I felt from my chronic back pain that has been repeatedly triggered by my PTSD - whenever I have been suffering from emotional trauma, my back has reinforced the message that my body is in full "attack" mode (that's personal attack, not military). It had progressed to the point where I'd experience a traumatic, triggering event, and my back would go into spasms. It's a full-on assault on my body systems, from anxiety to overreaction to fairly normal situations, to this back pain - the entire of my persona is convinced that I'm almost perpetually in an emergency, regardless of the reality of the situation. In itself, it's quite distressing.
Having had relief from Cymbalta previously, I am looking forward to the same again after I do the washout from Pristiq and start up the Cymbalta again.
FWIW, Neurontin never gave me ANY kind of relief, whether from anxiety or hyperarousal, or from chronic body pain.
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2010, at 19:33:08
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » floatingbridge, posted by PartlyCloudy on October 20, 2010, at 15:13:18
I must say cymbalta does work for back pain. Didn't realize it til went off it and bingo back pain. still have a full bottle might consider taking some again. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2010, at 1:43:45
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2010, at 19:33:08
Phillipa, how were the side effects for you? I know you are very sensitive.
Looking back, did it affect your anxiety levels however slightly?
Thanks!
Posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2010, at 2:08:36
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » floatingbridge, posted by PartlyCloudy on October 20, 2010, at 15:13:18
PartlyCloudy, boy, your post really got me. What you wrote is exactly my daily experience. And I do try to avoid riding someone else's experience by claiming it as my own, so let me say that just three days ago I fully realized my physical response to what are normal stressors for others. Anger is a big one. I don't go on the offensive--I have a back spasm. My hips and legs will hurt. I'll have the overwhelming urge to practically crawl away and lie down. It's become debilitating and acute. Right in my face and on the surface.
When I presented more as depressed, this phenomena seemed remotely at play. The past week or so I can see
myself acting in 911 mode while most of
the people I'm around move to a different tempo. It's down right freaky. I could see myself becoming paranoid (if it wasn't for good friends, self talk, and babble) because I feel so different. Out of synch.Whew. Well, thank you. And I am soooo sorry :(
What??!! You need to wash out pristiq? What's your dosage? No cross taper?
And how do you see this (your situation) in a therapeutic timeline?
(I've nixed neurontin again. Every so often a healthcare provider brings it up, and I revisit it.)
Thank you so much.
:) best to our aching backs!
Posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2010, at 2:14:03
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by creepy on October 20, 2010, at 14:23:28
Creepy, I hope EMDR is successful for you. I'd love it if you'd keep the board up to date regarding effectiveness.
Did you mention somewhere what nri you find helpful? Curious how you have figured out for yourself that the seratonin piece doesn't help you.
Very best of luck and good wishes your way.
Posted by creepy on October 21, 2010, at 15:07:47
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » creepy, posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2010, at 2:14:03
only done a couple sessions with EMDR therapist. At this point its jut identifying triggers and making a treatment strategy. Apparently that was enough to switch me from tired and depressed to overstimulated on the desipramine and adderall im on. Im going to have to cut back on those.
my experience with SSRIs was mixed. They put me into mixed irritable states sometimes with no warning. They caused me to gain a lot of weight and Ive decided its not worth the marginal gain in mood to let my body become ill on these drugs.
I think therapy is the way to go. I got lazy and complacent on antidepressants with regards to work in therapy.I like desipramine at low dose. Its been great at helping the pain and fatigue.
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2010, at 20:00:52
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2010, at 1:43:45
FB as I wrote in my response I personally never took it. So can't answer the question. You doing okay? Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on October 22, 2010, at 12:59:41
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2010, at 20:00:52
Hi Phillipa, Thanks for asking :)
I am doing o.k. for me. Not great but not panicking as much and my slide down has stopped. That in itself improves my mood.
Watching the ptsd in real-time is very odd. All my physiatrist (back doctor) had to say was, good, now you can change it.
Hope that's true. I'll accept improvement :).
How are you?
Posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2010, at 20:24:26
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 22, 2010, at 12:59:41
Same old shopping, posting ebay, riding bike, walking dogs. Sometimes gets boring!!!! Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on October 23, 2010, at 0:47:50
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2010, at 20:24:26
Didn't know you have multiple dogs. Two?
Is it cold yet? On the East Coast I remember walks being alot quieter come November. Everybody stays indoors. No chatting.
Posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 13:09:56
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 23, 2010, at 0:47:50
lyrica was much better in the regard to hypervigilance, and pain in general.
Posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 13:14:48
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 13:09:56
oh and creepy, desipramine, and imipramine are both great drugs in general. nortriptyline however is the suckiest TCA i have had experience with.
Posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 16:55:00
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 13:14:48
> oh and creepy, desipramine, and imipramine are both great drugs in general. nortriptyline however is the suckiest TCA i have had experience with.
have u ever tried the new drug pristiq? supposedly its a lot cleaner and smoother than the tcas. much better than effexor. i tried it, i was pleased with it, but again ssri type drugs sometimes dont work with me, but it worked better than the classic ssris i tried, paxil and lexapro.
Posted by Phillipa on October 23, 2010, at 18:57:21
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal? » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on October 23, 2010, at 0:47:50
FB yes two pups. Small. You lived on East Coast where? Right now it's still okay 70's during day. But I like it hot 85 perfect temp to me. Phillipa
Posted by thixotropic on October 27, 2010, at 12:23:17
In reply to Re: neurontin for ptsd hyperarousal?, posted by rogerk on October 23, 2010, at 16:55:00
I have been taking Neurontin for many years now, it's helped enormously. So I was pretty shocked to have a Kaiser PsyD tell me that "It's no better than placebo." I asked "No better than placebo for treating *what*?" (She wouldn't tell me.)
It also stopped the chronic headaches I'd had 4-5 days a week since childhood.
What is this current prejudice against Neurontin about? I have put three people on it who have done extraordinarily well -- people who did not get any benefit from ADs. So it doesn't work for bipolar, so what? Why is the medical profession so down on this drug right now, while continuing to hand out addictive drugs like tramadol and Effexor like candy?
Posted by thixotropic on October 27, 2010, at 12:48:55
In reply to Neurontin for anxiety, pain etc., posted by thixotropic on October 27, 2010, at 12:23:17
sorry for entirely misposting!
Posted by floatingbridge on October 27, 2010, at 14:13:26
In reply to Neurontin for anxiety, pain etc., posted by thixotropic on October 27, 2010, at 12:23:17
Interesting. What an odd thing for her to say to you, I'm assuming after she knew your were taking it (with sucess). Did she want you to take something else?
I have had doctors just talk off the top of their head 'at' me. Sometimes just saying stuff like that, the way I imagine a young student might recite a times table and murmur it in their sleep. I think
docs read alot. At least I hope so.It's not out of vogue here. One doc suggested it, another not sure. My mil did very well for postherpatic neuralgia for a year, but it made her very tired.
What do you take it for? And I'm glad it works for you.
Posted by stewie on October 30, 2010, at 11:01:01
In reply to Re: Neurontin for anxiety, pain etc. » thixotropic, posted by floatingbridge on October 27, 2010, at 14:13:26
Bizarre.... I have been taking neurontin for almost 10 years. It has been better than benzos for dealing with anxiety.
Sadly, I have also done my share of abusing it to feel euphoric.There are downsides, like fatigue and weight gain, but it beats not being able to live in my own skin.
Posted by maxime on October 31, 2010, at 14:23:01
In reply to Neurontin for anxiety, pain etc., posted by thixotropic on October 27, 2010, at 12:23:17
If it works for you why would she want you off it? Does she prefer that you take the more expensive Lyrica?
Posted by stewie on October 31, 2010, at 15:40:25
In reply to Re: Neurontin for anxiety, pain etc. » thixotropic, posted by maxime on October 31, 2010, at 14:23:01
Well said, Maxime - though I just must point out that lyrica does seem to work longer and it is super strong. But it is definitely not worth the higher co-pay.
The only reason I would ask for lyrica would be if I had no insurance and I could get "indigent" help for a drug that costs way too much.
This is the end of the thread.
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