Posted by Ritch on April 16, 2005, at 11:21:37
In reply to Gabapentin/Neurontin Advice, posted by Nickengland on April 15, 2005, at 14:32:08
> Hello to anyone that can help : )
>
> Im considering trying this drug for helping me with anxiety and as a mood stabiliser as im bipolar. (want to use it more for the anxiety as i am already on tegretol as main mood stabiliser)
>
> The thing that concerns me, and what id like to find out about is, how much of neurontin/gabapentin works as an anti-depressant???
>
> I really want to stay away from anything that can push my mood up or work in the same way as an anti depressant does - this just makes my overall condition worse.
>
> I just want something a little extra to target my anixety - but if the neurontin works like an anti depressant too....then its a no no and I won't bother at all with it.
>
> Many thanks to anyone who can advise me on their experiences of Neurontin/Gabapentin.
>
> Ps. Benzo's aren't an option : ( I see the psychiatrist in 4 days to request drug changes...
>
> Kind regards,
>
> NickHi, I think it is a good idea to try. When I go through seasonal bipolar depressions, sometimes I will restart Neurontin (with my Depakote) at a low dose for a few days and it really helps with the anxious depressive mix of symptoms. My pdoc generally wants to avoid it however, because it *does* tend to trigger some mild hypomania with me. But, I've never gotten dysphoric symptoms associated with that, and it's been a benign event overall. What it seems to work on the best during BP depression for me is the angst/despair/gloom-doom feelings. It especially seems to work well with Depakote. I tried it with Trileptal before and it worked rather well too, but T. made me too nauseous. I'm one of those folks that can't tolerate Trileptal unfortunately. I hope this helps some.--Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:484731
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050413/msgs/485040.html