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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 79 to 103 of 103. Go back in thread:
Posted by Mitch on January 6, 2002, at 11:40:53
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug????? » Mitch, posted by MB on January 6, 2002, at 9:12:08
Posted by beardedlady on March 1, 2002, at 8:15:13
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug????? » MB, posted by Mitch on January 4, 2002, at 10:25:25
I don't have anything but insomnia--and panic related to not sleeping. It developed three years ago, when my daughter quit nursing (and I had a few other crises). I've been on Serzone, after tries with Zoloft, Trazadone, Zanax. It has worked great! But now, because of the BLACK BOX (liver failure), I have to go on something different. My doctor prescribed Gabitril. I'm scared to death, of course.
Does anyone know if this is supposed to work? I'm afraid of all the side effects, even though my doc said I'll only be taking 4 to 8 mg. (I'm not depressed or anything else--except about this!) I took 2mg. last night and had a panic attack (just from the anxiety of the whole situation, though; I don't think it was the Gabitril. Or was it?). I finally took a sleeping pill so I could get some sleep.
Serzone had no sexual side effects, no weight gain, nothing. It was the best thing for me. So I am not looking forward to changing meds. Is there another drug out there (not a benzo) that might work? Should I feel safe with Gabitril?
Please help!
Posted by marshall on April 14, 2002, at 20:54:50
In reply to Gabitril to Replace for Serzone to Treat Insomnia?, posted by beardedlady on March 1, 2002, at 8:15:13
> I don't have anything but insomnia--and panic related to not sleeping. It developed three years ago, when my daughter quit nursing (and I had a few other crises). I've been on Serzone, after tries with Zoloft, Trazadone, Zanax. It has worked great! But now, because of the BLACK BOX (liver failure), I have to go on something different. My doctor prescribed Gabitril. I'm scared to death, of course.
>
> Does anyone know if this is supposed to work? I'm afraid of all the side effects, even though my doc said I'll only be taking 4 to 8 mg. (I'm not depressed or anything else--except about this!) I took 2mg. last night and had a panic attack (just from the anxiety of the whole situation, though; I don't think it was the Gabitril. Or was it?). I finally took a sleeping pill so I could get some sleep.
>
> Serzone had no sexual side effects, no weight gain, nothing. It was the best thing for me. So I am not looking forward to changing meds. Is there another drug out there (not a benzo) that might work? Should I feel safe with Gabitril?
>
> Please help!Listen: The chance of getting liver failure from Serzone is 1 in 250,000 patient-years. Means you have a 1 in 250,000 chance every year you're on it. Consider your chances of dying in a car wreck are 1 in 5,900 in the U.S. and being struck by lightning is about 1 in 11,000. Put that into perspective. I've known several people who got anxious about Serzone, quit it, then returned. Consider trazadone as the most similar drug to Serzone (generic name nefazadone)especially for insomnia.
Gabitril isn't related to Serzone in any way except it's a psychotropic. It's claim to fame as an anxiolytic is interesting: there's only one reference TOTAL, of a German group using 15mg. a day in 4 patients for panic, and one couldn't tolerate it. There's also an "open field" rat study showing Gabitril will inhibit a rat's normal inclination to be furtive and avoid an open field. Tests are underway. Seems to have a lot of side effects.
Posted by mozart on July 31, 2003, at 14:36:04
In reply to Re: Gabitril to Replace for Serzone to Treat Insomnia?, posted by marshall on April 14, 2002, at 20:54:50
I just got to this board searching for information about Gabitril, as I am partaking in a double blind study of its efficacy for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Well, I know I am not getting a placebo! When I got up to 6mg in the morning and 6mg in the evening, I had a very bad day. Nausea and incoherence lasted about 4 hours. Apparently I took the two dosages about 9 hours apart, instead of 12. The reason I searched out this board is because I have a strange symptom, which no one has ever seen before. About 6 years ago, all of a sudden my abdomen tightened up, and I have felt pressure ever since. It is unrelenting and nothing has ever been able to release this pressure. Has anyone out there in cyberspace ever experienced this? I have gotten a complete physical workup with everything negative (I guess that's good). So I tried yoga, behavioural therapy, hypnosis, acupunture, and now I am going the drug route. Any hope?
Posted by rowanda on September 3, 2003, at 19:33:58
In reply to GAD, posted by mozart on July 31, 2003, at 14:36:04
I am on a similar study for Gabitril, and feel vastly better after a week. NO wierdo effects--except--a terrible taste in my mouth most all the time. I also discovered last nite that they do not mix well with much of anything--had an accident, cut my hand pretty bad and took a Vicodin. Wow--actually thought I might not get to bed. But for the anxiety-so far, its great.
Posted by Brynner on October 23, 2003, at 20:04:53
In reply to GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 14, 2001, at 22:42:11
I have been on several medications over the years. I have been told I was psychotic, I have been told I am bipolar, I have been told alot of things. I have taken trilifon, stellazine, Paxil, Prozac, Nardil,zyprexa, tegretol, lithium, neurotin. You name it, I have taken it. I hold a full time job (as a therapist) and have always functioned fairly well despite a few hospitalizations where they were trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I have recently weaned myself of all medications (very slowly) and what I have found is that I am extremely anxious. I did not recognize it as such years ago, but am quite aware now that this is my core problem. Neurotin does help with this, but I am curious about gabitril and if this might not be a better med for me. I truly would like to be med free, but I find this anxiety to be almost incapacitating. I don't mind taking medication if it is necessary and the correct one for me. I do however get irritated with myself, that I have let psychiatrists prescribe medications for me that are potentially harmful (anti-psychotics) when unecessary. I would like to know more aobut people's experiences with Gabitril,especially if one has tried both Neurotin and Gabitril.
Posted by DepNYer on October 24, 2003, at 10:38:41
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by Brynner on October 23, 2003, at 20:04:53
I have been on both Neurontin and Gabitiril for GAD. I found Neuronitn of only marginal help and Gabititril ineffective. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try it, we're all different.
Posted by Viridis on October 25, 2003, at 2:51:04
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by Brynner on October 23, 2003, at 20:04:53
Neurontin was very relaxing the first couple of times I took it, then did nothing (at any dose) for two years, so I stopped it recently with no withdrawal. I've only tried Gabitril here and there (2-6 mg) and it just made me sleepy. However, my pdoc says that his colleagues really like it for agitated states. It didn't do much for me, but we're all different.
I'd try clonazepam -- that seems to be one med most people here agree is good for anxiety and mood stabilization, and it certainly works well for me.
Posted by KarenE on October 29, 2003, at 11:23:34
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?? » Brynner, posted by Viridis on October 25, 2003, at 2:51:04
I have been taking Lexapro (20mg) and Welbutrin (150mg twice daily) for quite some time now and Gabitril (2mg) was recently added to my medication. I have only been takng i for a week or so now but in th past few days I have experienced a dull aching chest pain accompanied by slight nausea. I am wondering if anyone has any information on adverse side effects of Gabitril, and Gabitril in conjunction with Lexapro and Welbutrin.
Also, does anyone believe, as I suspect, that 2mg daily is insufficient and will make no noticeable difference in the anxiety that is affecting every aspect of my life?
Posted by further on November 9, 2003, at 21:05:31
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by KarenE on October 29, 2003, at 11:23:34
> I have been taking Lexapro (20mg) and Welbutrin (150mg twice daily) for quite some time now and Gabitril (2mg) was recently added to my medication. I have only been takng i for a week or so now but in th past few days I have experienced a dull aching chest pain accompanied by slight nausea. I am wondering if anyone has any information on adverse side effects of Gabitril, and Gabitril in conjunction with Lexapro and Welbutrin.
>
> Also, does anyone believe, as I suspect, that 2mg daily is insufficient and will make no noticeable difference in the anxiety that is affecting every aspect of my life?Having recently, after three kinds of therapy and several psychiatrists, come to understand that my underlying problem is actually anxiety, and not the million other things that they've been treating me for, well my cursed nonspecifc anxiety continues to rule and disrupt my life. But I sort of digress.
To get to your question, I'm currently becoming quite interested in Gabitril for it's anxiolytic effects and so have been reading a great deal about it. Unfortunately, I have only one answer for you, which would be to your final question, which would be that I believe your feeling to be correct about the dosage level.
However, I just ran across an article regarding a very small scale study which found Gabitril to be effective in reducing anxiety. They started with a small dose such as yours, and then increased it over time to more like 10 mg a day in seperate doses, if memory serves. So it could well be that your doc is just starting off slowly and has an actual plan. Let's hope. If he doesn't seem to be ramping up the dosage over time, then if I were you, I'd suggest that he do.
Here's that link...
http://www.personalconsult.com/articles/gabitrileffectiveness.html
Just some more tidbits of hopefully fairly accurate info that I've run across.I'd certainly be interested in hearing anyone's experiences with it, at higher doses and for extended periods, as it continues to sound very promising to me.
Further
Posted by jtevers on November 16, 2003, at 13:09:44
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by further on November 9, 2003, at 21:05:31
i have been on combination neurontin and an antipsychotic (seroquel) for several years now ... i want my life back ...
i have gained 60 lbs. in two icrements of 30 over 2 years that SEEMED to corelate with increases in my dose of neurontin.
doctors have repeatedly explained that the gain has been due to my antipsychotic, but i remain unconvinced...
the weight is also exercise and diet unresponsive... does any of this sound familiar?
i am also considering a switch from neurontin to gabatril and am trying to determine what the equivalent dose to 1800 mgs of gabapentin (i take 600 3x daily) might be ... it seems most cognitive problems materialize at higher doses or with rapid titration????? any isight is highly appreciated.
john
Posted by Carina on December 4, 2003, at 21:38:58
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by further on November 9, 2003, at 21:05:31
Hi,
I haven't been actually diagnosed with anything, but do experience bouts of depression...haven't noticed a certain pattern...just feel depressed alot..especially in the winter. I know that is a seasonal thing. I get stressed very easy and experience anxiety and have panic attacks. Lately I have not been able to sleep. I stay up until early morning and then want to sleep all day. I have gained about 40lbs and can't seem to do anything to lose it. I have no motivation and am very irritable. I've been on Paxil, Depakote, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL and Prozac. My doctor has prescribed Gabitril to help me sleep. I'm concerned that it will make me feel even worse then I do now and also make me gain even more weight. Has anyone experienced weight loss or gain on this drug? Thankyou for any info you can give me.
Posted by SLS on December 5, 2003, at 13:26:38
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by Carina on December 4, 2003, at 21:38:58
> Hi,
> I haven't been actually diagnosed with anything, but do experience bouts of depression...haven't noticed a certain pattern...just feel depressed alot..especially in the winter. I know that is a seasonal thing. I get stressed very easy and experience anxiety and have panic attacks. Lately I have not been able to sleep. I stay up until early morning and then want to sleep all day. I have gained about 40lbs and can't seem to do anything to lose it. I have no motivation and am very irritable. I've been on Paxil, Depakote, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL and Prozac. My doctor has prescribed Gabitril to help me sleep. I'm concerned that it will make me feel even worse then I do now and also make me gain even more weight. Has anyone experienced weight loss or gain on this drug? Thankyou for any info you can give me.
I have been taking Gabitril for a little over two weeks. I don't think it makes me any more sleepy than I would be otherwise. Also, it has increased anxiety rather than decrease it. Of course it is important to acknowledge that two people can react differently to the same drug. I haven't put on any weight. Actually, I have lost a few pounds.
- Scott
Posted by Carina on December 5, 2003, at 15:22:06
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by SLS on December 5, 2003, at 13:26:38
> > Hi,
> > I haven't been actually diagnosed with anything, but do experience bouts of depression...haven't noticed a certain pattern...just feel depressed alot..especially in the winter. I know that is a seasonal thing. I get stressed very easy and experience anxiety and have panic attacks. Lately I have not been able to sleep. I stay up until early morning and then want to sleep all day. I have gained about 40lbs and can't seem to do anything to lose it. I have no motivation and am very irritable. I've been on Paxil, Depakote, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Wellbutrin XL and Prozac. My doctor has prescribed Gabitril to help me sleep. I'm concerned that it will make me feel even worse then I do now and also make me gain even more weight. Has anyone experienced weight loss or gain on this drug? Thankyou for any info you can give me.
>
>
> I have been taking Gabitril for a little over two weeks. I don't think it makes me any more sleepy than I would be otherwise. Also, it has increased anxiety rather than decrease it. Of course it is important to acknowledge that two people can react differently to the same drug. I haven't put on any weight. Actually, I have lost a few pounds.
>
>
> - Scott
Thanks Scott for the info. I guess I will try it out and see what happens.
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 5, 2003, at 21:41:23
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by Carina on December 5, 2003, at 15:22:06
I did not find anything good to report about Gabitril. I definately found it weight neutral, but that may have been because I suspect it worsened my depression if anything. Certainly Neurontin worked better for my anxiety but made my face swell a bit and increases my appetite. I'm hopeful Pregabalin will will the better anti-anxiety drug. Until then Klonopin or another benzo seems to be all I can use for anxiety. I do have a bipolar condition however.
Scott
Posted by Viridis on December 6, 2003, at 0:52:43
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by Mr.Scott on December 5, 2003, at 21:41:23
My pdoc gave some free samples of Gabatril, and said that some of his colleagues have had good success with it for anxiety patients. I've tried 2, 4, and 6 mg and all it did was make me a bit sleepy. I haven't done a real trial, just occasional use, but I wasn't very impressed, positively or negatively. Klonopin is vastly better for me for anxiety although again, I didn't give Gabatril a very serious try . I have heard that it's being used with some success for insomnia. Like so many of these meds, what works for some may be neutral (or negative) for others, so it really takes some trial and error. But there are enough meds out there now that the chances of improvement are excellent if you're just willing to put up with some failures.
Posted by Snowie on December 7, 2003, at 19:12:43
In reply to GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 14, 2001, at 22:42:11
Long thread here. I took Gabitril for a short period of time, maybe a little over a month. My pdoc said it was a new drug but he thought it might become a substitute for Neurontin. I don't remember if it had any side effects, but it didn't do anything for GAD or anxiety for me. Wish it had.
Snowie
> GABITRIL Filmtab Tablets (tiagabine hcl), Abbott Laboratories, PDR p. 449 is an antiepilepsy drug available in 2, 4, 12, 16, & 20 mg tablets. Antiseizure effect of Gabitril from enhancement of activity of GABA, inhibition of GABA uptake into presynaptic neurons which permits more GABA to be available for receptor binding on the surfaces of post-synaptic cells, & increases amount of GABA available in th extracellular space of the globus pallidus, ventral palladum & sustantia negra. This suggests that tiagabine prevents the propagation of neural impulses that contribute to seizures by a GABA-ergic action.
>
>
> This drug sounds like it would make a great anti-anxiety drug, since like the benzodiazepine Klonopin it enhances the effect of GABA and it an anti-convulsant and GABATRIL is not a controlled substance like the Benzodiazpines.
>
> Also, it appears to be superior to Neurontin since Gabitril acts directly on GABA while Neurontin is structurally related to GABA but it is not converted into GABA, or a GABA agonist, does not interact w/ GABA receptors & it is not an inhibitor of GABA uptake or degredation.
>
>
>
> Does anyone have any experience with GABATRIL and/or can comment about its anti-anxiety/social phobia potential?
>
> Thanks, 3 Beer Effect
>
Posted by godzilla on December 11, 2003, at 17:11:45
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by Emme on December 15, 2001, at 13:49:05
i'm on gabitril for dissociative disorder. . . i'm only on 4mg and i'm really not too sure what its supposed to do. i don't even understand anything about the illness. the doctor in the hospital just told me and my parents that i have it. i got sent to the hospital because of a suicide attempt.
Posted by Geoffrey R. on January 18, 2004, at 4:04:04
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug??, posted by further on November 9, 2003, at 21:05:31
Hello,
I am new to this group, and I apologize if this question is way off topic, but I was just wondering if anybody has tried supplementing his/her pharmaceutical medication(s)with anything like certain vitamins (eg. B-vitamins), minerals (eg. Magnesium, Calcium), Omega-3 fish oil, methylating agents (eg. SAMe, Trimethylglicine[TMG]), adaptogenic herbs (eg. Siberian Ginseng, Ashwagandha), amino acids/anti-depressants (eg. 5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan [5-HTP], DLPA, Tyrosine), and/or adrenal hormones (eg. DHEA, Progesterone). And has anybody noticed any mood/anxiety effects related to diet (eg. hypoglycemic conditions)? And what about stress-relieving activities (eg. "conventional" exercise, Yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, journaling/"creative activities," body work [massage, acupuncture, Reiki, etc.], etc.)? Again, I know this is off the topic, but I was just wanting to get a sense of other factors that might be involved in the lives of the people on this list, and what things, besides pharmaceutical medications, might be helping relieve your psychiatric symptoms. I have been severely depressed and anxious for YEARS, and I have had a terrible time finding any kind of relief from medications or anything else for that matter. "Finally" I have recently been able to start getting some light exercise, and I am realizing, with the help of "Eastern" medical practitioners and increased self-awareness and honesty, that I have serious energy blockages in my (energetic-level) body due to coping with traumatic experiences in very dysfunctional ways from early on in my life. I have experienced so much traumatic loss in my life, but instead of seeking support and learning to accept and experience the grief and move through it, I have constantly dissociated from this painful and overwhelming emotion and have (unconsciously) let it get stuffed and stuck in my heart (chakra). I am realizing that with all the medications I have tried through the years, nothing could have helped me as long as I was in denial of the reality of this toxic build-up of painful emotion, and was stuck in the fearful/anxious habit of avoiding awareness of this stuff and engaging in addictive-escaping-numbing behaviors. Wishfully and desperately seeking medication that could relieve me of all this agitation and depression was actually feeding in to the pattern of avoidance, because I was seeking resolution without having to do anything Willfully. I guess I'm writing this to say that I am realizing that medication cannot be expected to resolve the entire psychiatric dysfunctionality. Maybe this is obvious to most or all people. I don't know. But, in any case, I see that ultimately-- even when I hopefully find some significant relief through medications/supplements/etc. from the horrible suffering that my doctors have diagnosed as PTSD, Dissociative/Depersonalization Disorder,and Major Depression-- I must face myself and my losses and pain and grief, and dig down deep for the courage and strength and faith to accept it and let it go. For so long I was seeking numbness and emotional amnesia. I was wanting to believe that I was strong because I could endure major blows and move on like it was nothing whereas others would have totally collapsed. I had to go to the brink of spiritual death itself to finally realize that I had not escaped unscathed, and that the empowerment I thought I had was actually based in a most cruel delusion. I am so grateful to have a second chance at life despite how unbelievably difficult my life continues to be. Though I am still terrified of the painful feelings and awarenesses inside of me, I hope to return to that place in me... the place of true self-empowerment. I realize now that the numbness was actually the worst hell possible. It was lifelessness.
Anyway, I just wanted to share these thoughts. I think I am wanting to say that it seems that perhaps "we" can become a little too caught up and over-focused on medications as the ultimate solution to our psychiatric disabilities. I'm not saying they are bogus, just as I wouldn't say that putting a cast on a broken leg is a bogus treatment. Debilitating anxiety is just that, 'debilitating.' I have been taking Klonopin and Seroquel, and I just started on Lamictal. But for once, I am not expecting these medications to save me and cure me. I am just hoping that the Lamictal (along with the other stuff, etc.)can help free me up enough so that I can gain some control and strength so I don't have to constantly be living in a state of fear and terror and avoidance.
Anyway, thanks for letting me say these things. I hope it makes sense and is appropriate (to some degree) to this discussion. Good luck to all.
Posted by David Smith on January 19, 2004, at 21:45:43
In reply to Re: Psych-meds/ part of broader treatment regimen?, posted by Geoffrey R. on January 18, 2004, at 4:04:04
That was well said and very inspiring.
Thank you!
dave
Posted by bruce_w6 on February 29, 2004, at 23:34:46
In reply to GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 14, 2001, at 22:42:11
Has any one tried GABA & Fish Oil added to there meds?
Posted by Althea8869 on March 1, 2004, at 14:20:50
In reply to GABA Fish Oil, posted by bruce_w6 on February 29, 2004, at 23:34:46
Dont bother with GABA supplements, it cant cross the blood/brain barrier and therefore is of no use. Its amazing to me they still sell it at health food stores. Fish oil, on the other hand, can be very helpful. Two points though: First, if you are using it as a source of DHA/EPA, make sure you get a good brand - I reccomend OmegaBrite to most folks, but there are others. Second, unless you regularly eat a lot of fish, your body wont be prepared to deal with these additional EFA's and as such you will need to take a fairly large dose for at least a month to see any additional benefit. Somewhere in the range of 2-5 grams per day. But at this dosage for a month, it would be unusual if you didnt see some improvement. You also might want to think about Inositol powder. You'll need to take ~15grams/day, but it's got a lot of research behind it shwing that it is at least as good as any AD - if taken at these levels.
As always, talk to your doctor before taking anything - supplement or otherwise.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 3, 2004, at 23:32:18
In reply to GABA Fish Oil, posted by bruce_w6 on February 29, 2004, at 23:34:46
> Has any one tried GABA & Fish Oil added to there meds?
I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding alternative treatments to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040225/msgs/319971.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by screamer on April 7, 2004, at 23:14:46
In reply to GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by 3 Beer Effect on December 14, 2001, at 22:42:11
I had an extreme psychotic episode on gabitril, I was increased to 16 mgs a day on fri and became extremely depressed. The following day I was sick and vomited right after I took my meds (just gabitril at that time of day, nothing else) so I took more, but was no where near the OD level my doc warned me about. All I remember after that is waking up from a nap, then I remember being in an ambulance. What happened in between my husband told me about the next morning when he picked me up from the hospital. I guess I laid right back down for another nap, woke up a little later, changed my clothes and came down stairs. Unfortunately, my parents, sister, niece and nephew were visting, my husband and my two kids were also there. They said I was pacing, and bumping into things real hard, but apparently not feeling anything, I kept falling down and when they talked to me, well my mom said I looked at her like she was speaking a forgien language. Finally they sat me down, but I wouldn't stay, my husband and my father, both well over 200lbs were holding me down and I started screaming my head off, that went on for awhile until they decided to call 911. When the ambulance arived, they said it took 5 of them to get me on the gerny, they strapped me down and gave me some kind of medicine for an overdose because my husband said that's all he could think of that might of happened. I remember the ambulance, there was a little bitty voice in the back of my head, saying 'what the hell are you doing?' but I could barely hear it, I was screaming and yelling and fighting so bad my IV's were pulling and my arms were bleeding, I was frantic, I thought they were hurting me, although there voices were kind enough, I didn't register that. My husband met me at the hospital and I cried and told him I was sorry, but it wasn't over, when they took me back, I started up again, screaming and fighting. I don't remember alot of what happened after that until around midnight. I guess they gave me a catscan and all I can remember about that is putting my head in something funny, they gave me a cathiter, but I don't remember that either. Around midnight, the nurse was checking on me and asking me if I knew what happened, but at that point I had no memory at all, thay asked me what medications I was on, and I drew a complete blank, I didn't actually remember until about 5am. It was the most terrifying night of my life, just to be completely out of control and have no idea what you are doing or what is happening around you. It's Wed now and I still am having a hard time talking because of all the screaming I did, my arms are bruised up and down and I am having a hard time remembering common everyday things. I would like to know if anyone out there has had similar expierences. If not, I would just like my story to be out there so others are aware that it can happen and happen so strongly that you have NO control, so please, BE CAREFUL!
T
Posted by Wife of The Hulk on April 29, 2004, at 15:56:41
In reply to Re: GABITRIL (tiagabine) new anti-anxiety drug?????, posted by screamer on April 7, 2004, at 23:14:46
> I had an extreme psychotic episode on gabitril, I was increased to 16 mgs a day on fri and became extremely depressed. The following day I was sick and vomited right after I took my meds (just gabitril at that time of day, nothing else) so I took more, but was no where near the OD level my doc warned me about. All I remember after that is waking up from a nap, then I remember being in an ambulance. What happened in between my husband told me about the next morning when he picked me up from the hospital. I guess I laid right back down for another nap, woke up a little later, changed my clothes and came down stairs. Unfortunately, my parents, sister, niece and nephew were visting, my husband and my two kids were also there. They said I was pacing, and bumping into things real hard, but apparently not feeling anything, I kept falling down and when they talked to me, well my mom said I looked at her like she was speaking a forgien language. Finally they sat me down, but I wouldn't stay, my husband and my father, both well over 200lbs were holding me down and I started screaming my head off, that went on for awhile until they decided to call 911. When the ambulance arived, they said it took 5 of them to get me on the gerny, they strapped me down and gave me some kind of medicine for an overdose because my husband said that's all he could think of that might of happened. I remember the ambulance, there was a little bitty voice in the back of my head, saying 'what the hell are you doing?' but I could barely hear it, I was screaming and yelling and fighting so bad my IV's were pulling and my arms were bleeding, I was frantic, I thought they were hurting me, although there voices were kind enough, I didn't register that. My husband met me at the hospital and I cried and told him I was sorry, but it wasn't over, when they took me back, I started up again, screaming and fighting. I don't remember alot of what happened after that until around midnight. I guess they gave me a catscan and all I can remember about that is putting my head in something funny, they gave me a cathiter, but I don't remember that either. Around midnight, the nurse was checking on me and asking me if I knew what happened, but at that point I had no memory at all, thay asked me what medications I was on, and I drew a complete blank, I didn't actually remember until about 5am. It was the most terrifying night of my life, just to be completely out of control and have no idea what you are doing or what is happening around you. It's Wed now and I still am having a hard time talking because of all the screaming I did, my arms are bruised up and down and I am having a hard time remembering common everyday things. I would like to know if anyone out there has had similar expierences. If not, I would just like my story to be out there so others are aware that it can happen and happen so strongly that you have NO control, so please, BE CAREFUL!
> TTo sCREAMER:
Thank you for sharing your experience and my apologies for not posting this sooner!
On Tuesday afternoon, April 20th I thought I was going to check myself into a mental hospital. You see...(except for the vomiting) my husband had the EXACT same experience that you had after being perscribed 16 mg of GABITRIL and taking 1/2 pill on Saturday Night and a full pill on Sunday morning April 18th.
I will sum up the 3 worst days of my life as follows...Like you, Sunday morning my husband was a Zombie not responding and bumping into walls. i called his Doctor after observing his very abnormal behavior for 1/2 hour. Paramedics transported him to the Emergency Room which is where he had a VERY violent experience. By 10:30 am they had to call for 5 patrol cars so that the police could assist the doctors and nurses in calming my husband down. Seems he broke through a couple of wrist and ankle straps; therefore, they had to use police handcuffs. Thank God, I did not see (but heard loud and clear) what we now affectionately refer to as his role in "the Hulk".
By 4pm I was finally allowed to see him and we were told by a psychiatric nurse that because he was so violent and he tried to bite a nurse in the process, he was ordered to serve 72 hrs in a psychiatric hospital for "evaluation". Of course, they painted him as a monster and from the outside looking in, they treated him like a criminal.
What was most frustrating by this whole experience is that even though my husband did not remember being transported to the hospital or his violent behavior, he did remember taking the new perscription. We tried to convey this information to the nurse/doctors who insisted that GABITRIL would not have caused this reaction.
Thank God for friends and people that care because a co-worker who saw my stress on Tuesday morning took the time to search the internet and found your experience. When she read it to me over the phone, I got chills, cried and mostly praised God that it was the persciption and nothing more. That evening, I took a copy of your experience to the Hospital. Fortunately, the Doctor was making evening rounds and released my husband who was of course perfectly fine and ecstatic to come home!!!!
LIKE YOU, WE WOULD CAUTION ANYONE AND EVERYONE FROM TAKING THIS MEDICATION.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SHARING. FOR US, YOUR EXPERIENCE GAVE US PEACE THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN DOCTORS DAYS, MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS TO FIGURE OUT!
This is the end of the thread.
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