Posted by Melissa on March 3, 2000, at 9:06:59
In reply to Re: mood disorders/klonopin,depakote,neurontin etc...., posted by Hanl on January 20, 2000, at 19:30:55
I was very glad for the psychological benefits of neurontin. I started to take this drug as a potential replacement for klonopin, to which I am extremely addicted, even though I am taking only 1 mg. I have been on it for nearly 10 years and have been trying various ways to get off it for 5 years. I have tried taking a variety of anti-depressants, which failed because they made me extremly tired and triggered compulsive overeating and rapid weight gain, even though the psychological benefits were very good. My doctor suggested trying neurontin next. At first it seemed great. No compulsive overeating, in fact the opposite was true. My eating disorder seemed relieved. My mental health felt very good. But as the days progressed I started feeling an increased speedy effect, teeth clenching and by the end of the second week I was unable to sleep at all through the night. I was tired and less functional not because of the drug but from the extreme sleep deprivation and feeling speedy anyway. I tried reducing the dosage to 25% of the recommended amount (30 mg), I tried taking it every other day, but the clenching of teeth and the inability to sleep just progressed further. People said I looked the worst they had ever seen me look, and I have looked pretty bad as I have experimented with various medications. It has taken three days off the drug for teeth clenching to stop, and for the last two nights, for the first time in two weeks, I have slept through the night one night and woke up only once the second, though I was having some difficulty getting to sleep the second night. The neurontin also seemed to trigger my menopausal symptoms which are also feeling speedy at night and nights sweats. That seems to be subsiding now as the drug wears off. But my eating disorder is back with a vengance. I can tolerate a little bit because I lost about 5 pounds during the neurontin period, but I hope it will return to just the normal struggle not to overeat. (I am in overeaters anonymous.) I am really sad that neurontin didn't work. Of course I was taking the klonopin the whole time...but there is nothing I can do about that. I can't start the withdrawel until I am stabilized on something else. But for those people who have had problems with weight gain on anti-depressants, I must say the neurontin did not have that effect on me. I really felt it was a wonder drug except for this speediness and sleep deprivation. I feel almost ready to resign myself that I will be taking klonopin the rest of my life like diabetics take insulin. I wish my doctor had not put me on it 10 years ago. I believe neurontin was available 10 years ago and I may have been better able to tolerate it then. I think I am much less able to tolerate changes in my system because of being my age which is soon to be 52. This is in spite of a very healthful diet, regular exercise and a rather youthful appearance (I usually pass for in my late 30's...that is when I am not looking exhausted.) Hope this info is useful for all you out there. Melissa
poster:Melissa
thread:1356
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000302/msgs/25714.html