![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tiffany1203 on May 16, 2003, at 0:08:38
I know there is alot of info on people's experiences with Neurontin. I'd like some input if anyone has something to add.
I have neuropathy and have never been diagnosed as Bipolar or anything. Here's what's going on. I take 1200mgs x'3. This has been adjusted to 800mgs x's 4. I also take 20mgs nortryptilene at bedtime. First, I usually get a "high", mania if you will that eventually wanes into a relaxed feeling when I take the Neurontin. The Nortryptilene, gives me a sleepy hangover the next day. Anyone had these effects?
Also, lately, I have had severe anxiety that just won't go away. This was after the PCP took me off the Nortryptilene. I was off about 8 weeks when this started. Now, I have been taking the Nortryptilene again for about 5 days and the anxiety is wearing off, but it's still there. At times, I'm dizzy and kind of detached feeling also major heart palps.(all anxiety I'm sure) It's better, but I'm wondering what might be going on. It will be another week before I can see my doc. Does anyone think that Neurontin can cause chemical imbalances for those who didn't have them, just as it helps those that have them?
I have been on these meds for about 3-3 1/2 years. Also, I am having extremely elevated liver enzymes. Any input would be great! Sorry this was so long! Thanks!
Posted by kara lynne on May 16, 2003, at 1:52:29
In reply to Neurontin Effects?, posted by Tiffany1203 on May 16, 2003, at 0:08:38
Hi Tiffany,
I'm sorry I won't be able to address your neurontin concerns, but I wanted to mention something about nortriptiline. It probably isn't the case for you because you're taking such small amounts and have tolerated it well before, but I had to stop taking it due to tachycardia. I'm just wondering if your palpitations might not also be attributed to the nortriptiline. Just a thought.Is your purpose in taking 20mgs to treat pain? I've been toying with the idea of introducing it back with really low doses. But then again it might not do anything at those doses, so there might not be any point. But I wondered what you felt it addressed. (sounds like it treats anxiety too, since you have more of it when you're not taking any.)
I've heard the side effect profile for Neurnontin is pretty benign, whatever that means. You will need to hear from more people who know a lot more than I do about this.
I hope it smoothes out for you soon. Thank you, and sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Kara
Posted by medlib on May 16, 2003, at 6:45:22
In reply to Neurontin Effects?, posted by Tiffany1203 on May 16, 2003, at 0:08:38
Hi Tiffany--
I'm a bit unclear about why you're taking nortriptyline and why your PCP took you off of it. Nortrip can *cause* peripheral neuropathy; it can also cause elevated liver enzymes and heart palpitations. But, since you were off of it for 8 wks, you should be able to place the onset of various symptoms and the liver function test in a timeline which includes that 8 wk hiatus and be able to infer at least a little about which drug may be causing what. Nortrip has also been linked with disorientation, somnolence and dizziness, as well.
Neurontin is not metabolized in the body (it's excreted unchanged in the urine), so it's a little difficult to see how it could cause liver problems, but the drug lit mentions post marketing reports of liver dysfunction (causation not established). Elevated liver enzymes in the absence of palpable liver inflamation does suggest a biochemical rather than infectious cause; but high values should be taken seriously, whatever their etiology.
Here's a link to a site with comprehensive information on drugs:
http://www.rxlist.com/interact.htmHope this helps.---medlib
Posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 10:36:01
In reply to Neurontin Effects?, posted by Tiffany1203 on May 16, 2003, at 0:08:38
> I know there is alot of info on people's experiences with Neurontin. I'd like some input if anyone has something to add.
>
> I have neuropathy and have never been diagnosed as Bipolar or anything. Here's what's going on. I take 1200mgs x'3. This has been adjusted to 800mgs x's 4. I also take 20mgs nortryptilene at bedtime. First, I usually get a "high", mania if you will that eventually wanes into a relaxed feeling when I take the Neurontin. The Nortryptilene, gives me a sleepy hangover the next day. Anyone had these effects?
>
> Also, lately, I have had severe anxiety that just won't go away. This was after the PCP took me off the Nortryptilene. I was off about 8 weeks when this started. Now, I have been taking the Nortryptilene again for about 5 days and the anxiety is wearing off, but it's still there. At times, I'm dizzy and kind of detached feeling also major heart palps.(all anxiety I'm sure) It's better, but I'm wondering what might be going on. It will be another week before I can see my doc. Does anyone think that Neurontin can cause chemical imbalances for those who didn't have them, just as it helps those that have them?
> I have been on these meds for about 3-3 1/2 years. Also, I am having extremely elevated liver enzymes. Any input would be great! Sorry this was so long! Thanks!It sounds like a withdrawal reaction to stopping the nortriptyline. You said the anxiety was beginning to wind down some after being back on NT for five days. NT makes a good anxiolytic.
Posted by Tiffany1203 on May 16, 2003, at 16:12:44
In reply to Re: Neurontin Effects? » Tiffany1203, posted by Ritch on May 16, 2003, at 10:36:01
Thanks to those of you that took the consideration to respond. It really helps to know others are out there.
Kara, I take it for sleep at night and supposedly to help with the pain.
In response to the other posts The doc's I go to seem to drag there feet and I believe they took me off due to the liver enzymes, but sine the PCP is taking her sweet time seeing me, I'll have to wait. But since I never had anxiety before I think the Nortrip may have caused some withdrawal effects. Thanks again to those who posted and I'm still interested in hearing from anyone lese who has an input to this situation.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.