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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sar on October 21, 2001, at 14:23:26
i've tried to do some research on this med without satisfactory results. i don't use it for seizures, i use it as a mood stabilizer, but i don't understand exactly how it works.
for example, i know that my prozac and klonopin have long half-lives. i can miss a day of prozac and be somewhat okay, but i become agitated if i miss my 9 pm dose of klonopin. very agitated.
i've started neurontin fairly recently and have doubled the dose because i felt as if i were taking these horsepills 3 times a day for no reason.
how is neurontin supposed to make you feel? prozac gave me a backbone and strength, klonopin makes me relaxed and affectionate, but i cannot tell why i'm on the neurontin.
any information would be appreciated.
thanks,
sar
Posted by Mitch on October 21, 2001, at 15:50:27
In reply to why neurontin?, posted by sar on October 21, 2001, at 14:23:26
> i've tried to do some research on this med without satisfactory results. i don't use it for seizures, i use it as a mood stabilizer, but i don't understand exactly how it works.
>
> for example, i know that my prozac and klonopin have long half-lives. i can miss a day of prozac and be somewhat okay, but i become agitated if i miss my 9 pm dose of klonopin. very agitated.
>
> i've started neurontin fairly recently and have doubled the dose because i felt as if i were taking these horsepills 3 times a day for no reason.
>
> how is neurontin supposed to make you feel? prozac gave me a backbone and strength, klonopin makes me relaxed and affectionate, but i cannot tell why i'm on the neurontin.
>
> any information would be appreciated.
>
> thanks,
> sarHi Sar,
I think Neurontin was the last thing you added, right? You mentioned when you started taking it that it seemed to settle you down and decreased impulsiveness, etc. Maybe you are benefiting from it and you just don't realize it. Maybe you can take less of it and still get some benefit. It has such a mild side effect profile I hardly notice that I am taking it-BUT if it gets stopped for ONE day I get very fatigued, agitated, and depressed. As far as the "mechanism" by which it works-the latest thing I heard was that it blocks specific voltage-dependent calcium channels in the hippocampus.
Mitch
Posted by sar on October 21, 2001, at 21:55:19
In reply to Re: why neurontin? » sar, posted by Mitch on October 21, 2001, at 15:50:27
dear Mitch,
thanks for the quick response. the first few days i took neurontin i felt very chill--kind of floaty and relaxed...then nothing. impulsivity hit a frightening high last week (but lots of alcohol was involved, hard to separate what's natural and what's drug-induced) and i became afraid of myself.
a friend of mine just started depakote and she felt floaty for the first few days, but now nothing. if it's subtle, it must be *very* subtle. prozac made me feel like a healthy little kitty opening my eyes for the first time.
i've skipped a lot of doses of neurontin (usually the third nightly dose, because i drink) and have not noticed any difference...of course, maybe that's part of the problem.
thanks so much Mitch,
sar
Posted by Wendy B. on October 22, 2001, at 16:08:47
In reply to Re: why neurontin? » Mitch, posted by sar on October 21, 2001, at 21:55:19
> dear Mitch,
>
> thanks for the quick response. the first few days i took neurontin i felt very chill--kind of floaty and relaxed...then nothing. impulsivity hit a frightening high last week (but lots of alcohol was involved, hard to separate what's natural and what's drug-induced) and i became afraid of myself.
>
> a friend of mine just started depakote and she felt floaty for the first few days, but now nothing. if it's subtle, it must be *very* subtle. prozac made me feel like a healthy little kitty opening my eyes for the first time.
>
> i've skipped a lot of doses of neurontin (usually the third nightly dose, because i drink) and have not noticed any difference...of course, maybe that's part of the problem.
>
> thanks so much Mitch,
>
> sarSar,
See above, Mitch and I have a discussion going on neurontin dosing, with KrazyKat Kelly and Susan chiming in now, too.
The impulsivity-control is why you are on the neurontin higher dose. You were having hypomanic episodes. Repeat: "I was having hypomanic episodes, I was having hypomanic episodes..." etc., etc.......
Also, don't skip doses, sweetie. You can't tell if it's working if you don't stick to the regimen.
Needless to say, you are definitely NOT supposed to drink on Neurontin. Seizures may occur, and both alcohol and neurontin are CNS depressants. Not good...
love, as always,
Wendy
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