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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Barica on November 19, 2002, at 9:42:50
Hello,
My name is Barica and I am new to this forum. Not 100 percent sure how it all works, so will say sorry in advance for maybe messing up!
I'm a 'panic-attacker' with anticipatory anxiety, plus, I am a diabetic.
I have been on Zoloft for the panic attacks for the past 7 years, very, very low dose. It pretty much nips the panic attacks in the bud, not to say I don't get them.. I do! However, not as bad.
I take Valium for the anticipatory anxiety, again a low dose and used sparingly.Due to my diabetes I have neuropathy (sp). My Doctor suggested yesterday, that I take Neurontin, 300 mg, at bedtime, and after a few days increase it to 600mg. Brave old me too it at bedtime last night and wonder of all wonders, I woke up this morning! (I don't like to take new medication) I am sure it is my imagination, but I really think the pain I get from the neuropathy was not nearly as bad last night.
Now I am going to have to wrestle with the problem of increasing the dosage to 600mg in a few days...Does anyone know why I have to take it at bedtime?
Does Neurontin help in anyway with the panic attacks? Anxiety?Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Peace.
Posted by Ritch on November 19, 2002, at 10:32:52
In reply to Neurontin plus Zoloft, posted by Barica on November 19, 2002, at 9:42:50
> Hello,
>
> My name is Barica and I am new to this forum. Not 100 percent sure how it all works, so will say sorry in advance for maybe messing up!
>
> I'm a 'panic-attacker' with anticipatory anxiety, plus, I am a diabetic.
>
> I have been on Zoloft for the panic attacks for the past 7 years, very, very low dose. It pretty much nips the panic attacks in the bud, not to say I don't get them.. I do! However, not as bad.
> I take Valium for the anticipatory anxiety, again a low dose and used sparingly.
>
> Due to my diabetes I have neuropathy (sp). My Doctor suggested yesterday, that I take Neurontin, 300 mg, at bedtime, and after a few days increase it to 600mg. Brave old me too it at bedtime last night and wonder of all wonders, I woke up this morning! (I don't like to take new medication) I am sure it is my imagination, but I really think the pain I get from the neuropathy was not nearly as bad last night.
> Now I am going to have to wrestle with the problem of increasing the dosage to 600mg in a few days...
>
> Does anyone know why I have to take it at bedtime?
> Does Neurontin help in anyway with the panic attacks? Anxiety?
>
> Hope you all have a wonderful day!
>
> Peace.Hi, your doctor probably wants you to take it at bedtime because it generally is quite sedative for most people and can help sleep (especially if you are having pain). There are some folks here that have taken routine doses of 2400mg/day or more. It does feel like getting hit by a ton of bricks if you take a large dose in the daytime without getting used to it first. Individual 300mg doses aren't too bad in the daytime-it took me about a week or so to get used to them. It is often used for anxiety (usually as an add-on), so in your case it might work rather well. good luck--Mitch
Posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 10:35:24
In reply to Neurontin plus Zoloft, posted by Barica on November 19, 2002, at 9:42:50
Hi!
Although Neurontin is technically an anti-seizure medication, it's off-label uses include chronic pain and social phobia (as well as bipolar disorder), according to my book. I have seen diabetics have some good results with diabetic neuropathic pain using this medication, so I'm glad it's helping you also!
It can cause drowsiness and dizziness, so that's why it's recommended to start taking the med at night time, at least until your body adjusts.
Good luck!
Posted by JonW on November 19, 2002, at 13:09:31
In reply to Neurontin plus Zoloft, posted by Barica on November 19, 2002, at 9:42:50
Hi Barica,
Everyone's unique and any given drug can work for any one person, but I think you should be aware of a NY Times article from March 14, 2002 that revealed the illegal promotion of off-label uses of this drug. Neuropathy is one of these so-called uses. Park-Davis had its own employees operating as "medical liaisons" report that "leaks" from the clinical trials showed that Neurontin was very effective in pain syndromes with a 90% response rate being reported. No evidence of the sort exists. In fact, these "medical liaisons" were trained to make these claims despite the fact that there was no evidence to support them. The only "evidence" that existed was anecdotal, and is not of much scientific value -- if any. Many of these case reports were sponsored and created by Parke-Davis. The company frequently hid its involvement, and the payment for the creation of the case reports was also concealed.
Neurontin may actually be helpful for you, but pay close attention to what effect it is actually having because most of the claims can't be believed. There are 10 other off-label uses that were illegaly promoted as well, and Parke-Davis payed physicians to appear as the authors of medical journal articles on these off-label uses of Neurontin when the articles were really written by those working under the direction of the company.
People here have reported some success with Neurontin, particularly for anxiety. I hope this drug is helpful for you but don't be surprised if it isn't. As far as the dose is concerned 600mg is very low. I was on 3600mg with essentially no side-effects. It is a very safe drug, and I don't believe it has any drug-drug interactions.
Good Luck,
Jon
Posted by Barica on November 19, 2002, at 14:07:26
Thanks all for the feedback. Much appreciated.
Only response that concerned me was the response from jon.More or less Parke-Davis is paying off these professionals to say that "Neurontin" is great for neuropothy in relation to diabetes.
I guess only time will tell...
Thanks again,
Barica
Posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 16:47:21
In reply to THANK YOU, posted by Barica on November 19, 2002, at 14:07:26
I hadn't heard that about Park Davis (very interesting, though!), but I think that if it helps you, that's great. I've seen Neurontin help relieve the pain of diabetic neuropathy, and I don't work for a drug company ;-)
Unfortunately, there aren't too many other treatment options yet (although there are a few more, so don't give up), so try to keep thinking positive thoughts about it if you can. I have heard of a new medication that will probably help but I have no idea when it will be approved.
Good luck!
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