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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerimycoplo on May 17, 2004, at 22:16:31
Hi I was wondering if anyone had any succes stories about gabitril and anxiety. Or do you know anyone for who it has really worked?
thanks
jc
Posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 6:52:54
In reply to GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by jerimycoplo on May 17, 2004, at 22:16:31
> Hi I was wondering if anyone had any succes stories about gabitril and anxiety. Or do you know anyone for who it has really worked?
Hi JC.
I have nothing good to say about Gabitril, but I wanted to make sure you wouldn't feel ignored should no one else reply. Gabitril increased my anxiety and made me feel somewhat foggy-brained. I see that some doctors are prescribing it for anxiety and insomnia. I used it as a treatment for bipolar depression. It didn't help. It is really hard to outguess the biology of the brain. Too little is understood. That is why it is important to recognize that everyone responds differently to these psychotropic drugs. From what I have read, Gabitril has failed to demonstrate mood stabilizing properties. Perhaps it has some utility in anxiety disorders.
What condition are you trying to treat?
- Scott
Posted by jerimycoplo on May 18, 2004, at 8:24:12
In reply to Re: GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 6:52:54
I was trying to see if it mihgt be useful in generalized anxiety. Maybe to taper of the klonopin if it works.
Posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 12:47:41
In reply to Re: GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by jerimycoplo on May 18, 2004, at 8:24:12
> I was trying to see if it mihgt be useful in generalized anxiety. Maybe to taper of the klonopin if it works.
I have not seen any success stories yet about using Gabitril for anxiety disorders. Perhaps others have. Have you tried Neurontin?
- Scott
Posted by jerimycoplo on May 18, 2004, at 14:38:39
In reply to Re: GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 12:47:41
It has potential for anxiety just like neurontin has, but like us said some drugs works for some and not for ohters. I don't think I gave neurontin a fair chance, hwoever, i am waiting for neurontin's bigger cousin to be released -pregabalin. it is supposed to come out in about a year and bascially replace benzos, since it's just as effective for anxiety w/o tolerance or bad side effects. Basically it's a new generation gaba acting drug, since up to now, the benzos were par to none the best in treating anxiety.
Also waiting for cymbalta to come out. I hear its similar to effexor, which I currently take, except works better, with less side effects. That should be out in a year as well.
jc
Posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on May 19, 2004, at 1:45:41
In reply to GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by jerimycoplo on May 17, 2004, at 22:16:31
> Hi I was wondering if anyone had any succes stories about gabitril and anxiety. Or do you know anyone for who it has really worked?
>
> thanks
> jc
>Yeh...I take Gabitril for GAD. My pdoc has me up to 16mg. It's a GABA reuptake inhibitor, therefore I would think that it has the potential to treat anxiety (since Xanax, Klonopin, etc. are GABA agonists). I would expect that it could take up to 4 weeks to feel the full benefits, since Paxil and Zoloft inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and it takes upwards of one month in order to benefit from them.
Posted by ramsea on May 19, 2004, at 4:25:55
In reply to GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by jerimycoplo on May 17, 2004, at 22:16:31
I ws given this during a major episode in hospital. For the state I was in, I have to say it really helped me fall and stay asleep and eventually I felt more relaxed and able to return to work. But then it had to be discontinued because I am bipolar and get manic. For the time I took it though it really softened things and made me feel good enough not to be overanxious facing colleagues after my absence, something that could throw me way off normally.
Posted by Viridis on May 19, 2004, at 4:39:43
In reply to GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES?, posted by jerimycoplo on May 17, 2004, at 22:16:31
I got some free samples of Gabatril, and all it did was make me sleepy. Not bad or good, just very tired. My pdoc says that some of his colleagues have had good success with it for anxiety, but it just sedated me. It is being used as a sleep drug with considerable success.
Posted by Viridis on May 19, 2004, at 4:50:49
In reply to Re: GABITRIL SUCCES STORIES? » SLS, posted by jerimycoplo on May 18, 2004, at 14:38:39
I plan to try Pregabalin, but don't believe for a moment that (if effective) it will prove to be free of side effects, or that it will not cause dependency. If it works as well as they say, then people will become dependent on it. Valium, Xanax, etc. were promoted the same way, and although they're great meds, anyone with an anxiety disorder who experiences relief with a med will come to rely upon it. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just an observation as to the way in which these kinds of drugs work. Who would go back to their previous high-anxiety state if something alleviates it? Plus, if the improvement is that dramatic, then something is changing in your brain too, and you're unlikely to be able to go off it quickly.
But then, why should you, if it works?
This is the end of the thread.
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