Posted by SJ on November 5, 1999, at 23:42:20
In reply to Re: Neurontin, posted by Rick on November 5, 1999, at 11:47:10
I'm not sure what a diagnosis of social phobia involves. I started with Neurontin last spring for a bipolar II disorder, and have had very good results with it. I discontinued it briefly a few months ago, in favor of Topamax (because it can cause weight loss, but decided to stick with the Neurontin.
For me, the side effects are more troublesome when I increase the dose too quickly, or take a dose in the morning. Sleepiness is the main problem for me, although it's very manageable if I avoid a morning dose.
I wish the manufacturer would come up with a timed-release version, because it's such a hassle to have to remember to take a mid-day dose.
I've not experienced too much general anxiety while taking Neurontin, something which was a problem before. When I first started with it, I remember thinking that it felt like my brain felt "soothed". Must be why it is more commonly used by GP's for pain.
SJ
> From what I've heard, Neurontin does great things for Social Phobia for 1/3-1/2 of people who try it for a reasonable length of time, and is a complete bust for others. Also, for some it causes a lot of sedation, dizziness and/or cognition problems, while for others it's virtually side-effect free after the first week or two.
>
> If, for some reason, the Klonopin ever stops working wonders for my Social Phobia (and there's sure no evidence of that after months of use!), Neurontin is high on my list of alternatives to try.
>
> Serzone is another. That's one AD that seems incredibly variable in terms of reactions -- a low side-effect wonder for some, and a totally non-theraputic source of major side-effects for other (excepting sexual dysfunction). But the reported de-personalization tendency of all mood stabilizers/AD's would concern me.
>
> Rick
>
>
> > Neurontin, (one of the anticonvulsants used now as mood stabilizers)is very helpful for social phobia.
poster:SJ
thread:14476
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991028/msgs/14653.html