Posted by Peter on February 4, 2002, at 13:36:13
In reply to Re: Neurontin crazy side-effects » Peter, posted by Ritch on February 4, 2002, at 10:51:08
> > I've started neurontin for hypomania and anxiety. I began by taking 100mgx3 each day starting last Wednesday. Today is Sunday, and I've felt nothing except maybe some subtle positive effects on my mood (generally more balanced, less anxious). But today I suddenly experienced the craziest side-effects I've ever had: I felt like I was in a dream all day-complete derealization with a complete loss of inhibitions. It's like I felt like I could scream or do anything because it felt so much like I was in a dream. It felt like I was tripping, actually. I also had moments when my eyes would just zone in on something and I'd be unable to turn them away-like a fixed stare. My head felt heavy, and I noticed I sometimes got short of breath. Also my hearing became very sensitive. I felt a sort of insecure lack of physical coordination. Now, has anyone experienced these disturbing effects on Neurontin? If so, does it go away? I e-mailed my pdoc about it, and he said it might have to do with the fact that I slept poorly last night. He said I should take my last dose tonight, and maybe some extra klonopin so I can get a good night's sleep, and see how I feel tomorrow. But man, I gotta say-these symptoms don't exactly sound like they're simply the result of one night of poor sleep! But I'll follow the doc's orders. I just wanted to know from anyone out there if I'm alone in feeling these things. Also, I'm wondering if anyone with hypomania and anxiety has had positive reactions to Neurontin that outweigh the side-effects; I'm a little low after going through a day of feeling insane and I'd like to be reassured! (-:
>
> Peter,
>
> I had "spacey" side effects on Neurontin when I started it for the first time at 300mg 3x daily. It went away after a few days. My dose got increased to 600mg 3x daily and the spaciness came back but didn't go away. You might be hypersensitive to it. I am taking 100mg 3x daily now (sort of a maint. dose with other meds). Also, Neurontin is kind of strange about what other meds you throw in with it. You can get some unexpected potentiation of some sfx. I tried Topamax with it once and nearly wrecked my car. If the "stoned-spacey" feeling doesn't lift after a *few* days it might not be the best mood stabilizer for you. You might get better effects from Depakote, i.e.
>
> Mitch
Hi Mitch:
thanks for the info. As for depakote, I was on it for years with different combos of drugs, and always found that it didn't help my anxiety and tended to act like a wet blanket on my mood-even to the point that others meds I took for anxiety, like klonopin, were rendered ineffective for sp because of the depakote - the depakote sedated me to the point that the klonopin would take away panic, but I just wouldn't have any desire to go outside, and I was very uncomfortable associating with people-it's almost like the depakote rendered the klonopin ineffective! So that's why my doctor prescribed Neurontin, saying it would even help my anxiety along with the klonopin without putting that paralyzing wet blanket feeling on me. So that's why I'm on Neurontin now. Truthfully, I've really been thinking about that post on this site concerning the difficulties discerning between BPII and ADD. There are many overlaps, but my doctor wants to treat me primarily for hypomania and anxiety. I'm just wondering if all my obsessing, making mountains out of molehills, and tendency to get overwhelmed by the smallest tasks might be all tied in with ADD (which my doctor believes I 'probably' have). I hope I'm being treated for the right thing! Sorry for going on and on.
Thanks,
Peter
poster:Peter
thread:92792
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92831.html