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Re: Neurontin: solution or problem? » sydney

Posted by not exactly on January 29, 2003, at 18:01:11

In reply to Re: Neurontin: solution or problem?, posted by sydney on January 29, 2003, at 15:31:33

> While Neurontin may not be miracle drug, It is a gross overgeneralization to claim it has no place in psychopharmacology.
> it is being overlooked by people who could genuinely benefit from it.

I never claimed that it was ineffective, even (especially) for its "off-label" uses. I am quite sure that it has helped my social anxiety and improved my self-esteem. My mother takes it to relieve her severe chronic back pain, and it has enabled her to walk and sleep without using narcotics. It is clearly a useful drug.

My concern is about some of the side effects which I have experienced. Specifically, I feel that it has had a negative impact on my memory, intellectual ability, and the capacity to truly care about things that matter. While these side effects may not be common, I find hard to believe that I'm the only one experiencing them.

These negative effects are subtle, and some may not notice them. The Catch-22 is that such effects can reduce one's ability to notice or care about the problems!

In my case, the solution may be to switch to another med, such as a benzo or perhaps Buspar. I hope I can find something else that works as well but doesn't have these side effects. If I discover a successful substitute, will I conclude that Neurontin was a mistake and a "bad drug"? No.

Neurontin has its place (which IMO extends beyond its approved uses). But it's not a panacea, nor is it devoid of side effects. All drugs entail a tradeoff between potential benefit and risk of harm. Let's use them wisely. Openly & honestly discussing the pros & cons here (on Psycho-Babble) contributes to that wisdom.

- Bob


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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030125/msgs/138197.html