![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6 to 30 of 48. Go back in thread:
Posted by SandyWeb on July 12, 2004, at 17:58:01
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN » SandyWeb, posted by robz on July 12, 2004, at 17:28:08
Hi Robyn,
I'm glad that you are having a good experience with Neurontin. It seems that it's a black and white med.....it either works for you or it doesn't. But when it works, those people are very pleased with the results. Like us!! *big smile*
Neurotin has a very short half life. I think it's about 4 hours. Which means that most people take doses 3 or 4 times per day. Like I said, I take 800mg 3x per day. I just started back on Celexa, and I take that dose along with a Neurontin dose....and I don't get the start-up anxiety from the antidepressant.
I don't really know what Neurontin does for me. It's a very subtle med. I guess it just helps me to remain calm.
I've also found that it loses it punch over time. You will probably want to take a med vacation in about 6-9 months. Then you can come back on the Neurontin, and it'll work great again.
No, I didn't have any withdrawal from it. Remember, the half life is extremely short. You can just stop the med without tapering down.
You should also know that your body can only absorb 600mg at a time, so you don't want to take a dose higher than that because it's pretty much a waste (although you will absorb SOME of the remaining med, but not very much). I take 800mg because I just pop two of the 400mg capsules.
I've also found that if I don't space my doses far enough apart, I'll get high! I'll get very speedy. And that's NOT what I'm looking for. SO be careful with spacing of the doses. Of course, I haven't heard of anyone else getting speedy on Neurontin....so it may just be my own body chemistry. Lucky me! *smile*
You were lucky that your doctor suggested Neurontin. I had to prove to my doctor that people actually used this med for anxiety!
Take care!
Sandy
Posted by SandyWeb on July 12, 2004, at 18:03:08
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN » Mike634, posted by robz on July 12, 2004, at 17:38:23
Hi again Robyn,
Mike was probably talking about the big to-do, maybe a year ago, when Neurontin was being suggested as a mood stabilizer for bipolars. Apparently, the med doesn't work well in that area. It can be used as a mood stabilizer for non-bipolars, but the people with bipolar disease have too sharp a mood shift.
Neurontin is prescribed for a variety of "problems". Some even use it as a sleep med, but I find that it keeps me awake. Just my darn body chemistry again! Lol!
Take care!
Sandy
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 14, 2004, at 15:50:02
In reply to NEURONTIN, posted by Robz on July 11, 2004, at 13:41:39
I like Neurontin very much. I was prescribed it for fibromyalgia pain, but I now mainly take it for anxiety. I don't take it all the time because of tolerance, but taking a few days off is enough to restore it's efficacy. It creates a smooth calm relaxed feeling. Sometimes I REALLY feel it, a simply lovely feeling, better than any benzo. Other times it's subtle and sometimes I don't notice a thing, which means its time to take a few days break. I think it helps my bipolar disorder as well.
Posted by Robz on July 14, 2004, at 20:00:31
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN » Robz, posted by BarbaraCat on July 14, 2004, at 15:50:02
Sandy... I also get the buzz feeling from neurontin. It makes me feel like I have just drank a cup of coffee but without the wierd anxiety feelings. I hope we can keep in touch throughout this whole thing because you make me feel very encouraged!!!! Thanks!!!
Robyn
Posted by jtevers on July 16, 2004, at 20:03:16
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN, posted by Robz on July 14, 2004, at 20:00:31
i have been on neurontin since a bipolar diagnosis in 2000. i additionally take an antipsychotic (seroquel) for stability.
i have gained nearly 80 lbs. on this med. regimen and looking for help or insight.
i am attempting a switch from seroquel to geodon ... which causes less weight gain. And wonder if perhaps i should switch neurontin to zonegran. i have heard that neurontin also causes weight gain that doesn't respond to exercise or diet.
any experience
Posted by rod on July 18, 2004, at 6:39:35
In reply to NEURONTIN, posted by Robz on July 11, 2004, at 13:41:39
> It seems as though no one is talking about Neurontin. Why is that?
hmmm, maybe everyone likes it and does not complain about it :-). Just kidding
But to be honest, I like it. Its calming, clears my mind and memory and creates a mild feeling of well being. I am on 1500mg.
Roland
Posted by Robz on July 18, 2004, at 13:16:42
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN, posted by rod on July 18, 2004, at 6:39:35
Rod...That was a great answer. I have heard nothing but good things about this med. So far it has worked great for me. I am only on 300mgs but I will be going up soon. Thanks for the input!!!
Robyn
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 18, 2004, at 16:25:38
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN, posted by rod on July 18, 2004, at 6:39:35
I'm going through a major fibro flare today. I hurt all over, cognitive fog, tired but can't sleep. I've been gulping handfulls of neurontin, probably about 9 caps so far and can't get that good feeling. Feels like my gaba receptors are clogged, worn out. I don't know. This is when I could really use what Neurontin sometimes provides. Only, it's not happening. - Barbara
Posted by platinumbride on July 19, 2004, at 12:22:34
In reply to NEURONTIN - sometimes » rod, posted by BarbaraCat on July 18, 2004, at 16:25:38
BC:
I do hope that you are feeling better soon.
As for me, neurontin has been a staple for me for 3 years. Sometimes it can make me feel a bit loopy (if I don't get the dosage timing right), but mostly I am just so grateful that it calms me without the potential depression that I can get when taking klonopin.
I used to eat like a pig with it, but that seems to have stopped. (Like I guess I stopped running to the refrigerator!)
I DO notice that I have difficulty achieving orgasm when I take it, but again, if the timing of the dosage is right, that is not an issue.
I'm really grateful for this drug.
Diane
> I'm going through a major fibro flare today. I hurt all over, cognitive fog, tired but can't sleep. I've been gulping handfulls of neurontin, probably about 9 caps so far and can't get that good feeling. Feels like my gaba receptors are clogged, worn out. I don't know. This is when I could really use what Neurontin sometimes provides. Only, it's not happening. - Barbara
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 19, 2004, at 12:35:11
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by platinumbride on July 19, 2004, at 12:22:34
Dear PB,
Thanks for the kind thoughts. I am feeling much better today but am taking it very easy. I helped a friend move and way overdid it, cleaning with chemicals and such. This fibro stuff is so vexing. But I'm glad I have Neurontin in my arsenal, even though it merely muffles things rather than totally alleviates.How much Neurontin do you take and what is your dosage/timing? Do you take breaks from it? I don't follow any schedule with it, just take it as needed, but perhaps should take it prophylactically. I do like it very much, just chills things out nicely and then wears off before too long.
Haven't noticed the orgasm thing, but with life as it's been for so long and my husband just getting out of his own dysthymia, I'll tell ya, friskyness has not been high on the priority list. But when it does happen, no problem.
>
> I do hope that you are feeling better soon.
>
> As for me, neurontin has been a staple for me for 3 years. Sometimes it can make me feel a bit loopy (if I don't get the dosage timing right), but mostly I am just so grateful that it calms me without the potential depression that I can get when taking klonopin.
>
> I used to eat like a pig with it, but that seems to have stopped. (Like I guess I stopped running to the refrigerator!)
>
> I DO notice that I have difficulty achieving orgasm when I take it, but again, if the timing of the dosage is right, that is not an issue.
>
> I'm really grateful for this drug.
>
> Diane
>
> > I'm going through a major fibro flare today. I hurt all over, cognitive fog, tired but can't sleep. I've been gulping handfulls of neurontin, probably about 9 caps so far and can't get that good feeling. Feels like my gaba receptors are clogged, worn out. I don't know. This is when I could really use what Neurontin sometimes provides. Only, it's not happening. - Barbara
>
>
Posted by platinumbride on July 19, 2004, at 13:49:27
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes » platinumbride, posted by BarbaraCat on July 19, 2004, at 12:35:11
How much Neurontin do you take and what is your dosage/timing? Do you take breaks from it? I don't follow any schedule with it, just take it as needed, but perhaps should take it prophylactically. I do like it very much, just chills things out nicely and then wears off before too long.
I take it nearly every day. I try to keep the number of pills as low as possible because I've learned that for me, I can go up to 4800 mgs/day and see no results. Some days I will take 1200 twice a day, some days 1800, some days I start at 1200 and take 600 more every 5 hours or so. Just depends on my anxiety level.
I'm glad you are feeling better.
Diane
Posted by SLS on July 19, 2004, at 13:57:23
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes » platinumbride, posted by BarbaraCat on July 19, 2004, at 12:35:11
> > > I'm going through a major fibro flare today. I hurt all over, cognitive fog, tired but can't sleep. I've been gulping handfulls of neurontin, probably about 9 caps so far and can't get that good feeling. Feels like my gaba receptors are clogged, worn out. I don't know. This is when I could really use what Neurontin sometimes provides. Only, it's not happening. - Barbara
I'm sure you must have posted about this before, but I'm curious as to how you reacted to any of the TCAs.Cymbalta (duloxetine) has been getting some good press regarding its potential to treat pain disorders. The FDA is supposed to make a decision about its approval at the end of September.
Be well.
- Scott
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 19, 2004, at 14:11:44
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes » BarbaraCat, posted by SLS on July 19, 2004, at 13:57:23
>
> I'm sure you must have posted about this before, but I'm curious as to how you reacted to any of the TCAs.
>**I had very good luck with nortryptaline in general but had very uncomfortable side effects. Trembling, which was probaby potentiated by the lithium I take, and extreme parchedness. Dry mouth, constipation, parched skin feeling. Had to stop.
**I've been taking St. John' Wort and it's been helping alot, but nothing helps when I overdo it, like I did by helping a friend move and being exposed to cleaning chemicals and such.
> Cymbalta (duloxetine) has been getting some good press regarding its potential to treat pain disorders. The FDA is supposed to make a decision about its approval at the end of September.
>
**Isn't duloxetine a SNRI? I'm very leery about any of the SSRI/SNRI's. Have been on most of them and, being BP-II, they have not agreed with me. I have to drop the prescription coverage of my health insurance for financial reasons and I'm trying to not depend on prescription meds if I can help it. But I'll do a search and look into it. Minalcerin (sp?) is another S/NE uptake AD that's in Phase III trials for fibro. I have a feeling that there will be alot of copycat drugs hitting the market now that fibro has finally made it to the 'it's real' category.St. John's is the only AD I've been able to tolerate, taken along with lithium, and it seems to work on all three neurotransmitters -- at least as far as anyone can tell. I'm rather amazed at how well it's working, in fact. Thanks for your input, Scott! - Barbara
>
>
>
Posted by rod on July 20, 2004, at 3:38:30
In reply to NEURONTIN - sometimes » rod, posted by BarbaraCat on July 18, 2004, at 16:25:38
> I'm going through a major fibro flare today. I hurt all over, cognitive fog, tired but can't sleep. I've been gulping handfulls of neurontin, probably about 9 caps so far and can't get that good feeling. Feels like my gaba receptors are clogged, worn out. I don't know. This is when I could really use what Neurontin sometimes provides. Only, it's not happening. - Barbara
I know. The positive effect of Neurontin also varies with my personal condition. If I feel better, Neurontin also works better, If I dont feel good, Neurontin does not change much.
Anyway, I like Neurontin.Roland
Posted by ravenstorm on July 20, 2004, at 9:26:20
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes » BarbaraCat, posted by rod on July 20, 2004, at 3:38:30
I am also curious about neurontin. I am currently trying to get on Wellbutrin and hoping to drop remeron if I am successful with it. However, I don't know if I'll be able to handle the WB alone if it causes an increase of anxiety. (Remeron totally vanquished my incredibly severe anxiety--but it hasn't done much for my depression). So far the Wellbutrin seems to make me more tired, so that hasn't been a big concern.
Anyway, I have heard you can take neurontin for anxiety, and if I have to I would prefer to add that rather than an SSRI. I don't ever want to take an SSRI again after what I went through with paxil.
Does neurontin work well for anxiety? Do you have to take it three times a day? What are its major side effects? (I have a weak stomach, so stomach upset and nausea are what I worry about the most!)
Posted by platinumbride on July 20, 2004, at 10:52:21
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by ravenstorm on July 20, 2004, at 9:26:20
>
>
> Does neurontin work well for anxiety?I think it works quite well, though it isn't instantaneous like xanax.
Do you have to take it three times a day?I personally do in order to keep the anxiety in check and to wake up without the feeling that I am going to die!
What are its major side effects? (I have a weak stomach, so stomach upset and nausea are what I worry about the most!)
Well, I have never had a problem with it and my stomach (though if you are sensitive there, keep in mind that you can't take antacids for a few hours before or after the dose or its metabolization is inhibited).It sometimes makes me feel kind of euhporic. It also tends to be a bit cognitively dulling at really high doses. It does appear to make you retain some water, but since the halof life is so short, it isn't a big deal.
When my anxiety was so bad that even remeron wasn't helping it, I would take some neurontin and within an hour my stomach would begin to relax and I could start talking to people.
Some people hate it, but it has been a really good drug for me.....so much so thta I forgive it for contributing to my obesity in the past.
Good luck, .
Diane
Posted by ravenstorm on July 20, 2004, at 11:18:01
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by platinumbride on July 20, 2004, at 10:52:21
Wow, sounds like it really works well for anxiety for you. Good to know. I will keep it in mind when I try to ditch the remeron. Although, I am discovering that I react oppositely to alot of meds so maybe it won't work for me!!
How has it contributed to your obesity? Does it put weight on you like remeron does? I have managed not to gain weight on remeron but I have to eat way less than I did before and it is a struggle everyday. Not fun.
So glad it is working for you!!!
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 20, 2004, at 14:29:53
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by ravenstorm on July 20, 2004, at 9:26:20
Raven,
I believe it works very well for anxiety, but I am bipolar-II, if that makes any difference. What I mean is that, in being bipolar, I benefit from it's mood stabilizing properties, although non-BP's enjoy it's anti-anxiety benefits as well.I have to take it 3 times a day, when I'm taking it. By that, I mean that I do not always take it, not like an antidepressant or my lithium or thyroid. I take it when I'm going through an anxious time. It works very well. It does not cause any side effects that I'm aware of, certainly not gastointestinal side effects.
There are times when I take it that I get a lovely blissful feeling of calm and serenity that lasts a few hours. It is perfect, and is a good reference to remind me that I can someday achieve this feeling on my own. Sometimes I sleep and wake up in a state of relaxed serenity.
When I have the time and really need a few days to chill, I'll take 3 caps (900mg) three or four times a day. It sedates me enough to sleep if I want to, or just hunker down somewhere and let the anxiety float away. If I take less, it chills me a bit, enough to get on with my tasks, drive, whatever. It's a different sort of feeling than, say, a benzo. But you do have to 'refresh' if frequently throughout the day. I haven't found this to be a problem at all. I just carry a little bottle in my purse.
But sometimes it does very little, no matter how much I take. Those times I usually combine it with a benzo or oxycontin and it then kicks in a little more. On days when I'm really hurting from fibro or really wound up, Neurontin isn't enough on it's own. Nothing is enough and that's why things hurt so much. But it does lend help, along with other meds, in it's own way.
That's where I'm at right now, Raven. I'm having a fibro flare (it's good for neurpathic pain). I'm fighting a lurking depression and I though Oh hell, I need a break from life. Neurontin has come to the rescue again. I've had to spend the past 4 days in bed and the St. John's Wort and Neurontin have allowed me to just rest and not beat myself up over it. I can just float away when I need to, thanks to Neurontin. I trust this drug. It has one of the most benign side effect profiles. I've taken ALOT at times and have suffered no ill effects.
You can also take it on a regular basis as an ongoing antianxiety med. It's indicated in this way for bipolar because it's actually an anticonvulsant, a mood stabilizer. You can go pretty high with it, like 12-15 caps a days. But tolerance will develop if you take high amounts consistently. That's why I use it when and if I need it and always take a break.
If you're on an antidepressant, you would do well to consider a mood stabilizer. That's the going trend. As discussed above, Neurtontin is a mood stabilizer with antianxiety properties. I'd take it over Lamictal any day (which I had. Make me anxious and I got the rash).
You might consider low dose lithium. It acts as a very effective AD augmentor and a calming agent. Whether or not you have BP disorder, you might benefit from lithium's many good effects. For those for whom Neuronton works, it works well. I wish you heartfelt luck. - BarbaraCat
> I am also curious about neurontin. I am currently trying to get on Wellbutrin and hoping to drop remeron if I am successful with it. However, I don't know if I'll be able to handle the WB alone if it causes an increase of anxiety. (Remeron totally vanquished my incredibly severe anxiety--but it hasn't done much for my depression). So far the Wellbutrin seems to make me more tired, so that hasn't been a big concern.
>
> Anyway, I have heard you can take neurontin for anxiety, and if I have to I would prefer to add that rather than an SSRI. I don't ever want to take an SSRI again after what I went through with paxil.
>
> Does neurontin work well for anxiety? Do you have to take it three times a day? What are its major side effects? (I have a weak stomach, so stomach upset and nausea are what I worry about the most!)
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 20, 2004, at 14:43:40
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by ravenstorm on July 20, 2004, at 11:18:01
Raven,
I forgot to add my comments about weight. Compared to Remeron, Neurontin is zilch-o in the weight deparment, at least in my experience. On Remeron, I was getting up in the wee hours, haunting the fridge and snarfing down old frozen deserts. I once made a late night trip to a store that had just closed and banged on the door, pleading with them to let me in so I could buy a package of Haagen Daz dark chocolate covered vanilla ice cream bars. I devoured 2 of them on my way to the car. And this was on a cold February night! I recall thinking 'Barbara, we have a little problem here'.It was like constant PMS when you would do just about anything to get to that chocolate thing or that high carb sweetie. And I don't usually even like sweets! There's a reason for this, as Remeron targets a specific Serotonin receptor (5HT1a) that is known to cause carb cravings.
I have gained about 5 pounds in the last month but it could be due to many things. At any rate, Neurontin has not caused any noticeable food cravings at all.
> How has it contributed to your obesity? Does it put weight on you like remeron does? I have managed not to gain weight on remeron but I have to eat way less than I did before and it is a struggle everyday. Not fun.
>
> So glad it is working for you!!!
Posted by platinumbride on July 20, 2004, at 15:18:12
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by ravenstorm on July 20, 2004, at 11:18:01
>
> How has it contributed to your obesity? Does it put weight on you like remeron does? I have managed not to gain weight on remeron but I have to eat way less than I did before and it is a struggle everyday. Not fun.
>
> So glad it is working for you!!!NOTHING put on weight for me like remeron did!!!!! I just find that when I take it I feel hungry, and that seems to have changed for me in the past month or so...I just don't LET myself eat like a pig, and then the desire to passes. Food=Reward, and I guess I have just been feeling like not being so anxious is reward enough in itself.
I know what you mean about the whole opposite thing. This is probably lousy advice but I have a friend with mild ADD. He is of Latin American descent and when he was a kid and out of control, his mom gave him a coffee and it calmed him down. Now when he is stressed he has a coffee and it makes him want to sleep.
But that probably isn't something you want to try.....dunno.
fwiw, remeron did nothing for my anxiety. It just gave me a good, long sleep and then a good 70 lbs.
Best,
diane
Posted by ravenstorm on July 21, 2004, at 10:04:59
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by platinumbride on July 20, 2004, at 15:18:12
Barbara and platinum-
Thank you so much for your detailed and informative responses. If i get on the wellbutrin and off the remeron (GOD PLEASE LET THAT HAPPEN), I will definitely try the neurontin if I need it for anxiety. Barb, my mom has fibro so I really feel for you. She refuses to take any AD's for it though. (WEll, she tried Nortrip and got nightmares and painful eyes so she stopped) Maybe I'll mention the neurontin to her.
Rigt now, the pdoc just has me taking the WB 100sr at night with the remeron. It still makes me tired. Didn't think it would be possible to feel more tired than on remeron alone!!
I think next week he will up the dose to 100mg twice daily but I'm not sure If I can take it during the day! Maybe I'll just ask for the XL version and take it at night, although I have heard that if you take an acid reducing medication like prilosec (which I do), you can't take the XL cause your body doesn't process it properly.
I just want to get off the remeron. I just feel confused and out of it all the time (but no anxiety). And 15mg isn't doing enough for the depression.
Thanks again!
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 21, 2004, at 13:49:02
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by ravenstorm on July 21, 2004, at 10:04:59
You've mentioned tiredness quite a few times and I can't help but wonder about your thyroid. Mine is toast, basically, especially with taking Lithium. But I've had hypothyroidism for as long as I can remember, so did my Mom, her sisters, etc. I believe hypothyroidism is a big part of my fibro. In fact, some sources (Dr. John Lowe) believe fibro is basically undertreated hypothyroidism. The clinical symptoms are exactly the same. Your Mom should get a battery of tests done and so should you, for that matter. Most doctors will only do TSH, but if TSH comes back in the normal range and you're still feeling tired, other thyroid tests to measure autoimmune dysfunction, free T4, free T3, T4/T3 uptake and blah blah blah should be given.
Basically, if your Mom has fibro, chances are good that she has low thyroid. If you are feeling tired all the time, and if your Mom has low thyroid, chances are you do too. When you get tested, your TSH should be around 1.9 - NO HIGHER than 2.0, despite the 'normal range' of 1-5. NO HIGHER than 2.0 - period! When my thyroid is functioning properly, my fibro symptoms are greatly relieved. Not entirely ever gone, but I know when my thyroid needs tweaking because I'll get those old debilitating fibro symptoms. Co-enzyme Q10 150mg helps alot, as does Magnesium Taurate, as does L-tyrosine.
I wish your mother well. Fibromyalgia hurts and is such a stinkin' puzzler. But thyroid is one big piece of the puzzle and makes a HUGE difference. Good luck, my friend, in getting off Remeron. A useless pork-o-genic med if there ever was one. If you have to be on a med, there are better ones out there. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were something as simple as corrrecting a low thyroid? - Barbara
Posted by ravenstorm on July 21, 2004, at 20:59:06
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes » ravenstorm, posted by BarbaraCat on July 21, 2004, at 13:49:02
Yeah, I really do have to get more testing done. My basic result was 2.85, but the doctor said that is normal and they look at me and see I am normal weight and say I can't possibly have a thyroid problem. I have to say, I really watch what I eat though.
I have been on medication before. I was on paxil for many years (about four more years than I wanted because I couldn't get off of it). I was in fact on only 2mg for several years, just enough to keep me from going through withdrawal. In retrospect, I wish I'd stayed on the damn 2mg for the rest of my life. The final titration down left me worse than I have ever been in my life. Much worse than I ever was before going on the drug.
Now, I wonder if I will ever be well again. I am a partial responder to 15mg of remeron but can't up the dose or I end up in a coma. I really wish now that I had tried the nortrip. again instead of going on remeron because I have discovered that some people have a really hard time getting off of remeron too. I am going to be more pissed off than anyone in the world if I am trapped on a drug that makes me feel like crap!!
So far, I don't have much faith that the wellbutrin is going to do the trick. I know it is way too early to tell, but I am just pretty damned discouraged at this point. And so far the two pdocs I've been through have been pretty worthless. I honest to God think they are the laziest of any in the medical profession and they have no clue how to listen.
OOPS, sorry for the off topic rant! this has been going on for nine months and I 'm ready for it to be over!
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 22, 2004, at 12:36:03
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes, posted by ravenstorm on July 21, 2004, at 20:59:06
> Yeah, I really do have to get more testing done. My basic result was 2.85, but the doctor said that is normal and they look at me and see I am normal weight and say I can't possibly have a thyroid problem. I have to say, I really watch what I eat though.
**If a person has depression, .5 to 2.0 is considered optimal. If a person is bipolar or has anxiety disorder, it's 1.9 to avoid any hyper symptoms. But 2.85 isn't bad but it could be better. On the other hand, if you're not taking thyroid medication then it's probably good to not start if you don't really have to.
>
> The final titration down of Paxil left me worse than I have ever been in my life. Much worse than I ever was before going on the drug. Now, I wonder if I will ever be well again.**I sometimes wonder how life would be if I hadn't been on SSRI's for such a high dose for so long. I think my receptors were damaged and I've heard this can be so. I keep taking fish oil because it helps to heal the cell membrane and do eveything else I can to give my healing capacity a hand. We turn over cells and create brand new brains ever 7 years or so and there's always hope. Who knows, maybe all this is to create stronger, more adaptive and more compassionate brains than we would have had if life had been easier. So keep up a healthy lifestyle and keep the faith.
>
**If it's any consolation, Remeron was the easiest AD I've ever gotten off. It was a piece of cake compared to the others. Paxil and Effexor were the worst for me. I had to grit my teeth and kept telling myself the sideways swooshies and electrical zaps would someday end. The raw exposed nerve endings would someday be soothed. It took a few months for the immediate awfuls to subside. I think it takes a few years for the receptors to get the idea that they can come out and play and naturally up-regulate again.Something you might consider if you're having a real hard time coming off an SSRI/SNRI drug is to get a short-term prescription for Prozac. Prozac has the longest half-life of any of them and makes it easier to ease off slowly. It's the short half-life ones that are the pits. I've heard that taking it with orange juice makes it work better. Beats me why.
And if all else fails and you find you still need an antidepressant, consider St. John's Wort. I've been quite surprised at how effective it's been. I've been on a pharmaceutical grade for 6 weeks now. It's not perfect in that I still get down days and fibro flares, but given the alternatives, it's by far the best -- two thumbs up. - Barbara
Posted by ravenstorm on July 22, 2004, at 18:45:47
In reply to Re: NEURONTIN - sometimes » ravenstorm, posted by BarbaraCat on July 22, 2004, at 12:36:03
I had the worst case of paxil withdrawal I have ever heard of. I tried the prozac trick. Nothing helped. Five days off paxil and I was puking could literally not stand up and would shake and shake and shake. And this is from trying to stop at 5mg or even 2mg after a very slow taper.
To finally get off of it I had to water down the liquid to drop from 2.0 to 1.5 to 1.0 etc etc. and still got screwed up. Since I was soooo bad
I only assume that anything that anyone has ever had problems getting off will cause me problems. If I had found the withdrawal posts on another site before I started taking it, I never would have put it in my mouth!!!
I only wanted to be on paxil the first two years. I ended up on it for six because I couldn't figure out how to get off the damn stuff!
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