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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by amber_spirit on April 9, 2002, at 13:03:01
I've been looking through the posts and some other material and see that neurontin is typically started at 100-300mg 3x daily and then upped from there.
For many, the 3x dosing seems very important especially considering that it has a half life of only 6 hours. Does anyone know of a reason why my pdoc
would start me at 300 all at bed instead of 3x daily dosing? Could this be causing (or increasing) my side effects (nausea, headache, dizziness,
feeling drunk)?Thanks for any information. This is a new pdoc for me and, given our lack of progress over the last couple month, I'm starting to wonder if he is the
best choice.AS
Posted by lili80 on April 9, 2002, at 13:11:09
In reply to Does this make sense? neurontin 300mg at bed, posted by amber_spirit on April 9, 2002, at 13:03:01
apparently the highest dse of neurontin is 3000mg, so 300 mg is almost nothing. The side effects go away after awhile, so dont worry. ttyl
lili
Posted by Katekite on April 9, 2002, at 21:07:11
In reply to Does this make sense? neurontin 300mg at bed, posted by amber_spirit on April 9, 2002, at 13:03:01
This is interesting. I am currently taking neurontin on an 'as-needed' basis. Like at the end of the week when I'm really stressed and simply can't relax and let the weekend start. 200 mg of neurontin knocks me onto the couch where I belong. But I'm the only person I've heard of that does this. (My situation is I can't tolerate two doses in a row, but have no side effects from the first dose.)
If you have insomnia then it wouldn't be that weird to give you a once a day dose of 300 mg. However, since you are experiencing side effects at that dose (and many people do not), it might be better to start with something like 100 mg twice a day until your system gets used to it, then switch to the evening dosing if that makes more sense for your particular situation.
If the reason you were prescribed neurontin was for mood control or anxiety then it ought to have been prescribed as a three times a day thing, due to the half life, as you mentioned. And the starting dose for you, since you have side effects from it, would be lower, like 100 three times a day. Most people do get over the side effects, it is considered really great as far as side effects go.
Hope this helps -- kate
Posted by wendy b. on April 10, 2002, at 21:26:01
In reply to Does this make sense? neurontin 300mg at bed, posted by amber_spirit on April 9, 2002, at 13:03:01
AmberSpirit,
A large dose at bedtime was how I started. I think it was 300s, 2 of them at bedtime. I think the shrinks want to somehow introduce the drug when we are least likely to be bothered by the side effects, so you're asleep while your body gets used to it, probably a good idea. Also, the suggestion that it could be for insomnia (do you have it?) is a good one, because it *does* seem to knock people out at bedtime. It did me.
Dizziness and a reeling feeling when you get up from a crouching or bent over position, are also common. Almost everyone gets over this stage. Then you'll start dosing on a regular schedule throughout the day. If this doesn't happen by 6 weeks into the drug, check in here again. I'm sorry you seem to be making poor progress with your shrink.
Regarding nausea, I had it at the time I began Neurontin, too, but I was tapering off Zoloft at the time, and it could have been that. Going on Effexor at the same time probably muddied the waters as well... Are you currently switching meds or making any other changes in meds? If so, that might also be a reason to go slowly and dose in the evening...
I take 600 mg of Neurontin every 3 1/2 hours throughout the day (if I remember), up to 3000 to 3600 mg per day. Its side effects are minimal, in fact, I don't think I have any more, except forgetfullness, which could be attributed to getting older, too... I hate having to remember them, I wonder if the drug I can't remember to take is doing the deed itself to me, in some kind of ironic joke. I can't be without my huge Neurontin horsepills anywhere. I keep saying: they should make them into orange chewables for people like me. An extended release version is supposedly in the works, we'll see... BTW, I also take Wellbutrin which gives me no side effects at all, so it's a good combination for me right now anyway.
Best regards,
Wendy
> I've been looking through the posts and some other material and see that neurontin is typically started at 100-300mg 3x daily and then upped from there.
> For many, the 3x dosing seems very important especially considering that it has a half life of only 6 hours. Does anyone know of a reason why my pdoc
> would start me at 300 all at bed instead of 3x daily dosing? Could this be causing (or increasing) my side effects (nausea, headache, dizziness,
> feeling drunk)?
>
> Thanks for any information. This is a new pdoc for me and, given our lack of progress over the last couple month, I'm starting to wonder if he is the
> best choice.
>
> AS
Posted by amber_spirit on April 11, 2002, at 13:16:45
In reply to Re: Does this make sense? neurontin 300mg at bed » amber_spirit, posted by wendy b. on April 10, 2002, at 21:26:01
Thanks everyone for all your input. In answer to
your questions - yes it could have been meant to
help with the insomnia. Unfortunately
the side effects kept getting worse and worse and
I couldn't stand it so went off. I wasn't just
dizzy when standing or bending - I couldn't drive,
or focus and felt completely drunk ALL the time.Now I just feel like a zombie which seems like it
should be better but somehow isn't. Don't know what
I'll try next, but this definitely wasn't for me.AS
Posted by wendy b. on April 12, 2002, at 12:04:47
In reply to Thanks for info!, posted by amber_spirit on April 11, 2002, at 13:16:45
Posted by GreenP on December 24, 2010, at 7:00:02
In reply to Does this make sense? neurontin 300mg at bed, posted by amber_spirit on April 9, 2002, at 13:03:01
I also take Neurontin on a "as needed" basis. When I began using the drug, I was also on Nardil and Lamictal. The combination made me so dizzy and retarded that I couldn't take the drug (Neurontin). I am now happily taking 150mg of Zoloft and 100mg of Seroquil at night. Neurontin now has a much different effect on me, making me very calm and able to sleep (It's 6 in the morning and I can't sleep so I just took one, haven't taken any this month). I'm also prescribed Valium for anxiety, but it makes me feel drunk, almost sick, sluggish, lazy, almost depressed and bored at times. The Neurontin is much better because it doesn't give me those side effects, and I can take it in situations where I have to remain awake if necessary, without feeling like I'm sinking into my chair, or feeling compulsive from the drunk-like effect of benzos.
My point is, what other drugs are you taking? If you are taking other drugs, it may be interacting poorly with them as it did with me and the Nardil/Lamictal regimen. I cannot take Lamictal without becoming a complete moron and losing all interest in life. The Nardil was a fail, I took it for 6 months waiting for it to "pop" and it never did, a fact that I am grateful for today because it had so many negative side effects on my health.
I take 300mg when necessary. What are you taking it for? Anxiety? Seizures? I take it for anxiety and restlessness, though both of those have gotten amazingly better with emotional/spiritual work. Used to be agoraphobic, now have too many friends to count! Keep your head up, amazing things can happen!
-P
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