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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 13, 2012, at 19:18:42
I have SSI. I realize now that I've been mentally ill to the point of being unable to work for most of my life. Weirdly enough, I'm lucid...and I got disability. Strange.
So, I went in to my shrink a few days ago on 15 Abilify and came out on 30 Abilify and 900 Neurontin (300X3). My medicaid made me fill a Risperdal Rx before it would approve the Abilify. I'm just popping Abilify I got from India, since I can't tolerate Risperdal anyway, especially @ 6mgs/day. I hate wasting their money, but thems the rules, I suppose.
Is there a Neurontin XR? I'm taking generic gabapentin 300mgs caps. The 900mgs/day dose so far is *fantastic*! I never realized how many of my problems were from tension that didn't respond to neuroleptics. This gabapentin stuff is better for me than Klonopin or Ativan or an AD. Yessss!
I'm hoping I can keep on just these 2 drugs, at these doses, and maybe a low-dose Vistaril cap at night for sleep (more like...night time agitation). Can Neuronting people please fill me in on how this stuff works, dosage, all that? My doc is big on avoiding side effects (she's amazing with keeping things simple, but effective--I think its that European medical training), but I am concerned that 900 might not work forever. Probably some "when will the shoe drop" kind of psychological thing, but...still...good to keep myself informed, you know?
Thanks in advance for any advice, insight, expertise, etc. y'all care to share.
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2012, at 19:42:18
In reply to Neurontin, Abilify, insurance, posted by Christ_empowered on September 13, 2012, at 19:18:42
First congrats on the Insurance. Lots of good reviews on gabapentin. 900 is a high dose isn't it? Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 13, 2012, at 22:24:04
In reply to Neurontin, Abilify, insurance, posted by Christ_empowered on September 13, 2012, at 19:18:42
I've not realy heard of Neurontin fading out, and if it does, you still have a long way to go in the way of dose increases, 900mg isnt that high.
For night time, I'd suggest trying doxepin, 10-20mg, its generaly a better sleep med than hydroxyzine (stronger antihistamine, stronger 5HT2 acvtivity)provided it doesnt cause too much hangover.
All the bestJon
Posted by B2chica on September 14, 2012, at 11:11:17
In reply to Neurontin, Abilify, insurance, posted by Christ_empowered on September 13, 2012, at 19:18:42
i think the max anyone has safely taken is like 3300 mg. but thats normally for epilepsy i think..
im rx'd 1500mg/day 300mg cap TID 600mgam, 3mg mid apfternoon and 600mg nightly.
but when i have high anxiety i normally do:
600 10:30
300 12:30
300 4:00
300 6:00
300 bedtimeso i ave 1800/day
but then i have some days that i do min of 900mg/day.i dont like taking too much cuz it can make you a little loopy. so becareful of that. i honestly thing 900 is a nice place to be. not too much, not too little.
i cant say that i've noticed a tolerance. but i do go down at times then go back up so maybe thats enough to fix any tolerance.
Congrats on finding new med combo!
Best Best wishes.
b2c.
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 14, 2012, at 13:07:29
In reply to Re: Neurontin, Abilify, insurance, posted by B2chica on September 14, 2012, at 11:11:17
Thanks, everyone. I came in on 15 Abilify and thought I could just stay there. My shrink--she's very good, very experienced, very serious about mental illness--said "I need you on more meds," and so it was up on the Abillify (she didn't ask me...she just wrote the Rx. She probably knew I'd fight the increase) and she said I needed a mood stabilizer. I suggested Neurontin, since I have anxiety+agitation anyway.
I hope 900 works over the long haul. I also hope I can get the Abilify down to 15 or maybe even 10. That'd be ideal. I guess the important thing is being able to function and DO things.
Posted by phidippus on September 14, 2012, at 17:53:24
In reply to Neurontin, Abilify, insurance, posted by Christ_empowered on September 13, 2012, at 19:18:42
Gabapentin was initially synthesized to mimic the chemical structure of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but is not believed to act on the same brain receptors. The mechanism of action that leads to its rapid analgesic effect is simply unknown.
Some of its activity may involve interaction with voltage-gated calcium channels. Gabapentin binds to the a2 subunit (1 and 2) and has been found to reduce calcium currents after chronic but not acute application via an effect on trafficking of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the central nervous system. Another possible mechanism of action, reported by Ben Barres and colleagues in Cell in 2009, is that gabapentin halts the formation of new synapses
Eric
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