Posted by SLS on July 4, 2005, at 9:50:30
In reply to Neurontin sucks, posted by med_empowered on June 30, 2005, at 19:04:59
> Plus, neurontin sucks--it doesnt seem to work terribly well, especially when you look at the very few GOOD (read: independent, non-industry funded) studies on its efficacy in mental health
I still don't know what to make of this drug. The NIH performed some studies investigating the utility of using Neurontin as monotherapy to treat bipolar disorder - depression in particular. It seemed to be no more effective than placebo. However, it did seem to increase moderately the effectiveness of Lamictal when combined.
For me, Neurontin had several pronounced effects. Initially it produced significantly antidepressant effects at dosages of 900mg and less. It also reduced anxiety. As I spent more time on it, I found that it produced profound cognitive changes that made things seem unreal. 1200mg seemed to be sufficient to have this happen. Perhaps most important, it destabilized my mood and made the depression worse. I was taking only Lamictal at the time. My mood varied greatly and changed paroxsysmally during the second week of treatment. I would say that I was much worse off for using this drug. I am scared to ever take it again.
Despite my negative experience with Neurontin, it demonstrated that it was a drug with the potential to change one's neurochemistry. Perhaps some find it significantly positive enough to remain on it. I think it is well recognized that it does produce anti-anxiety effects for a great many people. The drug is not just an expensive placebo. I know someone that has been on Neurontin for over 4 years, and is just now trying to remove it. She suffers from bipolar disorder with psychotic depression. So far, she doesn't feel quite as well at the lower dosages as she has continued to taper. She is now taking 900mg and had been taking 1800mg.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:522290
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050611/msgs/523249.html