Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1001632

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?

Posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 10:28:08

Once I took it again pain and it worked very well (900-1200mg/d). Now I suffer from BP II and social Phobia with an awful hand tremor. My pdoc is thinking to replace the Valproate with Gabapentin as mood stabilizer. I take also Lithium, Lamictal and Abilify as mood stabilizers. He said that Lithium in combo with Valproate increases the tremor very often. What do you think of Gabapentin? I tried also Pregabaline (because it should also help for anxiety) but it made me more depressed! As AD I take Parnate and Doxepin with limited success.

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Ben

Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2011, at 10:43:05

In reply to Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?, posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 10:28:08

There are a few babblers taking it now for pain and anxiety. Hope they weight in. Phillipa

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?

Posted by Christ_empowered on November 4, 2011, at 11:05:26

In reply to Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?, posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 10:28:08

OK, gabapentin has failed trials as a mood stabilizer, but that I think was when it was used as monotherapy. Considering all the mood-regulating meds you're taking, I don't think getting rid of the depakote and replacing it with gabapentin would be a huge problem. You might feel less anxious and maybe less drugged up.

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Christ_empowered

Posted by B2chica on November 4, 2011, at 13:24:23

In reply to Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?, posted by Christ_empowered on November 4, 2011, at 11:05:26

not much.
i take it and i would say it works much better at anti-anxiety as it does mood-stabilizer.
i was having severe mood shifts and had to start back on zyprexa again for a while. still taking gaba but it wasn't cutting the mustard for anything other than mild anxiety.

on the other hand it depends what strength of one you need. i think it is a safe drug to test. meaning low side effects, do no harm to try it out.
best wishes.
b2c.

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?

Posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 14:52:08

In reply to Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Christ_empowered, posted by B2chica on November 4, 2011, at 13:24:23

I need a mood stabilizer which has some anxiolytic properties and a good effect against tremor (essential or drug induced).

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?

Posted by Christ_empowered on November 4, 2011, at 15:52:59

In reply to Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?, posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 14:52:08

I think gabapentin may help your tremor. Of course, dropping the depakote will also help the tremor. But I've known a few people who were given gabapentin for tremor from meds (usually antipsychotics) and it worked out well.

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Ben

Posted by Phidippus on November 4, 2011, at 20:01:17

In reply to Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?, posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 10:28:08

The bottom line is, there is not a lot of supporting evidence for Gabapentin as an effective mood stabilizer. Its more tried and tested as an anxiolytic and neuropathic pain releiver. You're on 2 mood stabilizers and an AAP anyway, why would you need more stabilization?

Eric

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Phidippus

Posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 20:09:04

In reply to Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Ben, posted by Phidippus on November 4, 2011, at 20:01:17

Hi Eric

I developed a severe depression and a hypomania by taking Lithium alone with ADs. Then I had still great mood swings so my pdoc added all these stabilizers to me regimen.

 

Re: Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer? » Ben

Posted by Chairman_MAO on November 10, 2011, at 6:00:27

In reply to Is Gabapentin a mood stabilizer?, posted by Ben on November 4, 2011, at 10:28:08

You could try it, but as people have said, it's not very effective. If you're already taking pregabalin, I wouldn't bother, personally.

There are lots of other drugs you can use for mood stabilization--I don't even know where to begin. Given all the other drugs you're already taking, you could try low doses of a cholinergic drug such as galantamine, but be wary of increased depression.

Given the number of drugs you're already taking, I think perhaps you should talk about replacing one with another.


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