Posted by Else on July 25, 2001, at 20:49:08
In reply to Re: new to neurontin-else, posted by 16# on July 25, 2001, at 18:37:18
> > Neurontin isn't effective for bipolar? Not even BPII?
>
> For me it is very effective for BPII insofar as anxiety is a trait strongly associated with it and neurontin has brought my anxiety level way down.OK, but BPII is a bit different. Neurontin is not likely to control psychosis and I doubt doctors would consider it a first line treatment for BPI patients. Anxiety is present in virtually every mental illness under the sun so Neurontin can probably help everybody (as long as they're not allergic to it). But Klonopin could make the same claim.
I find it's a much weaker anxiolytic than benzodiazepines or even SSRIs although I realise SSRIs are not indicated for bipolar II sufferers. In any event, I was only reporting what my doctor told me. He said that studies showed it was not as good as other drugs for stabilizing mood (which other drugs, he didn't say, probably Depakote or lithium) but that they discovered it was quite effective for Social Phobia and PTSD. Personally, I find it is no more effective than Prozac and less effective then Klonopin but that is only my humble opinion. That said, if Neurontin works for you there's no reason why you shouldn't take it. Everyone is different.
poster:Else
thread:71671
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/71839.html