Posted by Simcha on October 31, 2005, at 11:41:06
In reply to Re: Gabapentin/Neurontin - depression and anxiety » Simcha, posted by lunesta on October 31, 2005, at 5:34:29
Ya know, I just don't see the body of unbiased medical evidence to support all of the claims of the danger of this drug to most people. What I see are studies done by law firms who are litigating the case against Pfizer. I would hardly call these non-biased medical studies.
In my own personal experience I have had no adverse side effects while on Neurontin. I have not noticed any increase in infections or any of the other things you seem to have experienced. And I do believe you personally had problems with taking Neurontin. Obviously, it's contraindicated for you.
At the same time I know many others who take Neurontin and have been taking Neurontin for years. They are all fine and report no major side effects. I asked my psychiatrist about doing blood work due to the amount of medication I'm on. I'm also an asthmatic who has to take maintenance meds for that too.
He evaluated all of my medications (recently, within the past two months) and told me that there was no concern about any of the drugs I'm on. They don't interact. They don't cause toxicity. They don't damage any organs in their elimination according to him. Also my general practitioner has agreed with his opinion.
So, I have actually looked for studies to back up anything that might scare me off of Neurontin or any of the other drugs I need to take. I have yet to come across anything that I would consider unbiased medical evidence of great danger to the majority of people who might take Neurontin.
As with any drug, your personal mileage may vary. Not all drugs work for all people. One drug that is a miracle for one person is death to another. (Think allergies, and body chemistry.)
My current daily meds:
40mg Celexa
300mg Wellbutrin XL
600mg Neurontin at night
50/500 Advair Diskus (one puff in the am and one in the pm)
10mg Singulair at night
10mg Claritin
240mg (24 hours worth) of Sudafed
The last two can be taken now as generic Loratadine-D 24 hour (two less pills!)I'm only 35 and I remember watching my Grandmother take all of her pills. I take as many or more than she did at 65. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have to take more.
But alas, I need to breathe and I need to be euthymic.
If I were to believe all of the hysteria about every drug I take I would be in the ER unable to breathe and on suicide watch frequently because I would take myself off of everything. Life is not worth living that way for me. So, I take my medications.
Simcha
poster:Simcha
thread:572445
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051031/msgs/573773.html