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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by b2chica on October 31, 2011, at 15:33:59
NOt sure if im having depressive breakthrough or if the Gabapentin is inducing it.
i've been very stressed lately thus more anxiety thus taking more gabapentin and taking it regularly. So that coul be it. or i'm needing it more because my anxiety is higher which is in turn creating more depressive reactions.I'm tired all the time. i think i slept most of last weekend. but i've also been very busy lately. I've been aruguing with DH lately more. causing more stress.
but i'm also much more aggitated. jittery leg thing going on. gotta move. angry want to walk in front of cars to play chicken kind of angry. dont give a f*&k kind of angry. hate myself and things i do , things i think, way s i act or dont act. basically the i s$ck sh&t attitude.WTF?
how do i remedy this.
Posted by creepy on October 31, 2011, at 15:48:25
In reply to UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by b2chica on October 31, 2011, at 15:33:59
that kind of anger sounds a lot like a mixed state. Gabapentin isnt a very effective mood stabilizer itself. Hopefully youre on something else too.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 31, 2011, at 17:24:47
In reply to Re: UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by creepy on October 31, 2011, at 15:48:25
What is your diagnosis? (Bipoloar, depression, anxiety etc)
What meds are you on? Just gabapentin, or somthing else?
Posted by floatingbridge on October 31, 2011, at 17:29:35
In reply to Re: UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 31, 2011, at 17:24:47
B2c,
Gabapentin is odd for me at higher doses. I feel cranky. Definitely slowed down and fatigued. I don't think it's always as benign as reported. And as Jono said, not a strong stabilizer.
Not sure that is what is up for you.
Posted by Phillipa on October 31, 2011, at 17:58:00
In reply to UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by b2chica on October 31, 2011, at 15:33:59
B2chica no suicidal thought? Wierd behavior as playing chicken with cars sounds like risky behavior to me. Working and little ones doesn't help either. What is your official diagnosis? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 31, 2011, at 20:42:25
In reply to UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by b2chica on October 31, 2011, at 15:33:59
I don't know what to tell you. Gabapentin made me stupid as hell, and it increased my anxiety. The idea was for me to cross over from klonopin to neurontin. I ended up needing the Klonopin to counter the increased anxiety from the gabapentin.
I don't think neurontin is a mood-brightener. I mean, sedation+anticonvulsant action seems to usually equal potential drug-induced depression, just from what I've seen. Plus, from what I've read, neurontin was outperformed by placebo in a mood stabilizer trial. That's right: not only did the gabapentin not beat placebo, it was actually outdone by that magical panacea, placebo.
I don't know what to tell you in terms of medication selection. I'm a big fan on lamictal lately (it changed my life), so maybe that would help? I mean, its not the best thing for treating acute depression, but it can make depressive episodes less frequent and less severe, so that's something. For me, it also seems to counter agitation and (to a more limited extent) anxiety, which might prove helpful for you. And its a proven mood stabilizer.
Other than that, I don't know. Do you have time to pursue hobbies or spiritual activities? You have kids and a job and a husband, so I imagine your plate is pretty full, but if you could maybe find a way to work through some of your angst in a constructive (at least not destructive) way, then I think you might feel better over the long haul. Of course, I've also found that before I felt better because of my writing and spiritual path, I felt *worse* for a little bit. That could just be me, though--some people feel better ASAP.
Also, you might want to look into Orthomolecular Psychiatry. I'm not trying to turn you into me or anything, but the Orthomolecular protocol--especially the emphasis on high dose niacinamide and vitamin c--has really helped me out. I don't freak out as much, my hallucinations are less intense, and I don't have as many negative reactions to medication. I also seem to require less medication, which drives down overall costs (even factoring in all the $$$ spent on vitamins).
I hope you find something that works for you. Oh, another thought just popped into my brain--meditation. I can't do it, but lots of people swear by it. I think the latest "thing" is mindfulness meditation, but I'm sure you could find some technique that suits your personality and spiritual inclinations.
Posted by B2chica on November 1, 2011, at 15:37:29
In reply to Re: UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by creepy on October 31, 2011, at 15:48:25
thanks for all your suggestions.
CE my doc is really promoting exercise for me so i go to fitness center in morning for an hour or so. that's my spare time. otherwise i'm bein mama to two little ones. i do wish i had more time.
i try to do some writing. i wrote one little story. now i want to write another one. but i only have time on breaks at work. not much time at home. i spend the last 1/2 hour or even 15 min at night reading a book. im on "extremely loud and incredibly close" right now. (great book by the way.)
thanks for the insight on Orthomolecular psychiatry. i will keep that in mind...and look into it. thanks.fb. i really have a feeling that it might be induced from gabapentin. and maybe also from the stress that i'm having right now. i think i'll ride this one out. and see. i'm trying to lower gabapentin but i cant seem to. my anxiety gets worse and provoking so i need to take more gaba but i only seem to end up more loopy AND still have anxiety only slightly lessened.
Jono
what is my dx? good question. its bounced around over the years but it always seems to come back to bipolar(mixed states), or psychotic depression. I never seem to have the 'highs' people talk about. i have High anxiety and get some pressured speech and racing thoughts but i'm normally negative. or self-depricating.
am on: pristiq, perphenazineBID, adderallTID, gabapentinTID or PRN, and xanaxPRN. though i haven't been taking the xanax during day cuz makes me tired and havent taken it at night as it makes it hard to wake up to do exercises. and i really notice a difference if i dont exercise. so i guess include exercise as part of my Rx.creepy. i think you're right on. it feels very much like mixed state to me too. at times was i guess maybe not suicidal but self-hating to the start of self-harm. (thus the cars...thing).
the gaba is not meant as mood-stabilizer actually its supposed to be used for my anxiety. (as is perphenazine) but its only touching on it. and whats kinda weird is that i seem to notice worse anxiety about the time my adderall wears off, also in the late evening...any connection there?thnaks all. i appreciate.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 1, 2011, at 15:48:50
In reply to Re: UNSURE actions, what's up?, posted by B2chica on November 1, 2011, at 15:37:29
B2c,
Lyrica was as close as I ever came to a mixed episode. On gabapentin, at higher doses, it kinda felt like I was moving in that same direction (shudder).
I've been trying to cut back myself, but it is cyclical. I use it for sleep, pain, and it keeps my xanax very low (xanax does not work for me for sleep). I am looking for a replacement. I'll let you know if something turns up.
Keep hanging in there. Has your pdoc suggested anything to replace the gabapentin?
Posted by B2chica on November 2, 2011, at 9:21:51
In reply to Re: UNSURE actions, what's up? » B2chica, posted by floatingbridge on November 1, 2011, at 15:48:50
so finally got to talk with pdoc last night. we talked for a while and i tried to explain feelings as best i could. i think he got it. at first he was thinking it was an anxiety thing but after talking for a bit he's back on the bipolar 'mixed-state' thing.
He wants me back on zyprexa but thought i'd could use it for only a week or so. he said that should be enough since i do fairly well most of the time with what i'm on.he said to start it and call/or make appt. if no improvement.
i think i might have yelled at him a little...
feel bad about that. but i was expressing what i was feeling and he wasn't getting it. so i started to get pissy. but then i calmed down again.anyway. so back on the zyprexa (weight gain) train for a week.
we'll see how it goes. i think its not a day too late, as about an hour after i woke up i started to feel aggitation again.b2c.
Posted by B2chica on November 2, 2011, at 9:24:17
In reply to pdoc update...'Mixed State', posted by B2chica on November 2, 2011, at 9:21:51
i forgot to mention to him that i have been starting to see thnigs again. i know their illusions but their kinda weird.
and i think Halloween Themed...lol.
three times i saw a small fat little ghost (like the casper kind) on my right side. he'd laugh then go away..
i know...nutso right? kinda funny not scary.
and then a few other weird things but i know there's no point in mentioning that cuz the zyprexa will take care of that.
Posted by floatingbridge on November 2, 2011, at 10:15:54
In reply to pdoc update...'Mixed State', posted by B2chica on November 2, 2011, at 9:21:51
Best to you b2c. Hope it works ASAP.
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2011, at 19:21:44
In reply to Re: pdoc update...'Mixed State' » B2chica, posted by floatingbridge on November 2, 2011, at 10:15:54
Me too. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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