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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MM on July 16, 2001, at 14:17:25
You seem to know what you're talking about so I thought I'd ask you about Neurontin. I've read that it is helpful for anxiety, as well as mood stabilization, has anti-depressant properties, and doesn't usually cause weight gain. What do you think? Are it's anxiety/anti-depressant properties significant at all? Does it really not cause weight gain? Is it an effective mood stabilizer? Thank you.
P.S. I appreciate responses from anyone else too.
Posted by Roo on July 16, 2001, at 14:55:24
In reply to SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by MM on July 16, 2001, at 14:17:25
It has helped me with anxiety and mood stabilization.
I don't think it has helped much with depression, however. Most
people don't gain weight on it, but I did. Everyone
is different in how they respond to meds.
Posted by Janelle on July 16, 2001, at 14:58:32
In reply to SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by MM on July 16, 2001, at 14:17:25
I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as SalArmy4Me, but I HAVE indeed heard and read several sources indicating that Neurontin can be helpful for anxiety, as well as mood stabilization, has anti-depressant properties. (don't know about weight gain properties).
However, based on what I've read it sounds (and this is just my humble impression) as though Neurontin might be on the "gentle" side, and as a result its anxiety/anti-depressant properties may NOT be as effective or significant as some of the other meds in its class.
Hope this is of some help. And hopefully others, including people who are on or have been on Neurontin will respond with more info.
-Janelle
Posted by 16# on July 16, 2001, at 16:23:13
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)? » MM, posted by Janelle on July 16, 2001, at 14:58:32
Helped me with anxiety, mood stabilization, alcohol cravings. Has not caused weight gain so much as thwarted all rational attempts at weight loss. Just started Topamax for that. Have lost a few pounds. Is great to feel my clothes looser again but am cranky as hell and have forgotten how to spell.
Posted by Zo on July 16, 2001, at 18:00:38
In reply to SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by MM on July 16, 2001, at 14:17:25
Um, it's all that. . .but whoever said it doesn't cause weight gain is, um, fibbing. Only 15 lbs for me, and well worth it (whereas Zyprexa was another 45!). . .was on Neurontin-L for a while, weight gain was pretty common.
Zo
> You seem to know what you're talking about so I thought I'd ask you about Neurontin. I've read that it is helpful for anxiety, as well as mood stabilization, has anti-depressant properties, and doesn't usually cause weight gain. What do you think? Are it's anxiety/anti-depressant properties significant at all? Does it really not cause weight gain? Is it an effective mood stabilizer? Thank you.
>
> P.S. I appreciate responses from anyone else too.
Posted by Neal on July 17, 2001, at 1:10:06
In reply to SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by MM on July 16, 2001, at 14:17:25
For some people (including myself) it is helpful. Mild anti-anxiety med and is reputed to help with social anxiety for some.
Posted by Else on July 17, 2001, at 8:16:34
In reply to SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by MM on July 16, 2001, at 14:17:25
I am on Neurontin 300mg x 3 and I find it helps with (mild) depression, anxiety and as a (mild)mood-stabilizer. I am quite labile but not bipolar and I find this helps a lot without the water weight gain I get from Depakote. There are very few side effects, in my experience. It's probably better for cyclothymia and Borderline Personnality Disorder than for more severe bipolar disorders though. It's a good augmentation drug for anxiety but it doesn't beat Klonopin or Xanax in my opinion.
> You seem to know what you're talking about so I thought I'd ask you about Neurontin. I've read that it is helpful for anxiety, as well as mood stabilization, has anti-depressant properties, and doesn't usually cause weight gain. What do you think? Are it's anxiety/anti-depressant properties significant at all? Does it really not cause weight gain? Is it an effective mood stabilizer? Thank you.
>
> P.S. I appreciate responses from anyone else too.
Posted by Kingfish on July 17, 2001, at 11:23:46
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by Else on July 17, 2001, at 8:16:34
> MM --
Neurontin was not helpful for me on its own, but it works with the mood stabilizer that I take now, Topamax. I take 600 mg, every 4 hours. I did not notice any side effects. It is a gentle, calming drug for me.
- K.
Posted by Kingfish on July 17, 2001, at 11:25:37
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by 16# on July 16, 2001, at 16:23:13
> 16#:
Most of the side effects of Topamax went away for me, but it took quite awhile. I, too, could not spell, or do simple math at first.
Very strange feeling. But it has helped me as a mood stabilizer, and I also lost a few pounds.
- K.
=====
Helped me with anxiety, mood stabilization, alcohol cravings. Has not caused weight gain so much as thwarted all rational attempts at weight loss. Just started Topamax for that. Have lost a few pounds. Is great to feel my clothes looser again but am cranky as hell and have forgotten how to spell.
Posted by MM on July 17, 2001, at 12:00:40
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)? » 16#, posted by Kingfish on July 17, 2001, at 11:25:37
Thanks everyone.
>Else
I would try klonopin or xanax, but it's never been mentioned and I come from an alcoholic family, so I wonder if they are being cautious about addiction possibility.
Did anyone else gain weight?
Posted by MM on July 17, 2001, at 15:27:36
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by MM on July 17, 2001, at 12:00:40
I just found this thread: mood disorders/klonopin,depakote, neurontin etc.
This guy was on anti-convulsants for anxiety and ended up getting epilepsy??? I had no idea that was a possibility. Should I stay away from ac's?
Posted by Cass on July 18, 2001, at 0:56:48
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by 16# on July 16, 2001, at 16:23:13
I'm really shocked. I take Neurontin for neuropathic pain. I had never heard that it might be beneficial for anxiety or as an antidepressent. I don't think I've noticed any difference in those respects.
Posted by dove on July 18, 2001, at 17:12:43
In reply to Re: SalArmy4me (neurontin)?, posted by Cass on July 18, 2001, at 0:56:48
Neurontin started with a good-vibe kick for me initially, then waned. I categorize this med's anti-anxiety effects as "subtle, gentle, and mildly smoothing." I would categorize Neurontin's anti-depressant and mood-stabilizing effects as about the same. I have gained weight since initiation, but it would be near impossible to finger Neurontin alone as the culprit. For me, Neurontin's anti-anxiety properties are probably the most significant of all its effects, but it is subtle. Note: I also take Klonopin, Serzone, Prozac, and Amitriptyline for anxiety/depression/panic.
I've gone between 900 mgs and 2400 mgs and find that 1,500 mgs seem to work best. However, I'm on a six (6) med cocktail and almost everything I take interacts with each other (this is a planned choice not an oversight.). When I go over 1,800 mgs. I get massive carb cravings, which could be a side-effect from the increased availability of either of my SSRI's. So, no help there I guess.
Neurontin is also used as a pain killer for certain types of pain (Neural?). It has been very useful for patients suffering from Shingles. And it doesn't cause Epilepsy! Someone can have a seizure for a myriad of reasons, including cold-turkey withdrawal from anti-seizure meds, mood-stabilizing meds, CNS stimulants, anti-depressants, ect... They may also have a seizure as a reaction to certain external situations, certain flashing light's frequencies, very low blood sugar. I am almost 100% positive that Neurontin absolutely cannot *give* someone Epilepsy!
And meds work different for every person, no way to predict with absolute certainty how this med will work for you. Best of Luck!!!
dove
Posted by Cass on July 18, 2001, at 20:33:53
In reply to Re: Neurontin?, posted by dove on July 18, 2001, at 17:12:43
Hi Dove,
Do you ever have your Gabentin (sp?) levels checked? You've been on such high doses!! I was on 900 mg a day for awhile, and they took a blood test which showed it was toxic at that level. Now I alternate between 600 and 900 a day. When I was toxic, I was very unsteady, dizzy and I felt like I might pass out, so I went to the doc.
Good wishes,
Cass
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