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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
I'm going to pdoc next week. How about Gabapentin for sleep and anxiety? Any thoughts?
Posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 7:39:38
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
You know I think it's worth a try.
In combo with what? Are you rethinking your stabilizer, too?
I wish you such good luck.
Posted by jms600 on May 13, 2011, at 9:24:54
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
> I'm going to pdoc next week. How about Gabapentin for sleep and anxiety? Any thoughts?
I took Pregabalin (a more potent form of gabapentin) for severe GAD and panic disorder. I took it for about a year. It wasn't really successful for me so my doctor took me off it. I guess it could be worth you trying it though.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 9:49:48
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by jms600 on May 13, 2011, at 9:24:54
> I took Pregabalin (a more potent form of gabapentin) for severe GAD and panic disorder. I took it for about a year. It wasn't really successful for me so my doctor took me off it. I guess it could be worth you trying it though.
That's Lyrica? My hunch is that it's kinda' different from neurontin. Not just stronger but a little different. But I haven't tried neurontin, so don't know. Neurontin has a good track record for
some.Do you have something working for you now, jms?
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2011, at 11:19:34
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety » jms600, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 9:49:48
I know some old posters that both meds worked for so it sure is worth trying. Phillipa
Posted by torridcalm on May 13, 2011, at 12:40:01
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
> I'm going to pdoc next week. How about Gabapentin for sleep and anxiety? Any thoughts?
is it an off lable use for anxiety, my doc doesn't go off label, but I came across it looking for solutions for anxiety. I guess I'm asking the same question as you.
Posted by sigismund on May 13, 2011, at 13:05:50
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
It helps with anxiety, even though it feels a little weird.
It is said not to damage sleep architecture like benzos do.
I think it is useful, but wouldn't be comfortable taking high doses of it routinely.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 14:04:58
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by sigismund on May 13, 2011, at 13:05:50
> It helps with anxiety, even though it feels a little weird.
>
> It is said not to damage sleep architecture like benzos do.
>
> I think it is useful, but wouldn't be comfortable taking high doses of it routinely.sigi, you haven't taken lyrica have you?
Posted by orbital on May 13, 2011, at 14:35:47
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
Gabapentin doesn't do much for my anxiety, but it makes me feel very pro-social... giddy, even. It also affects my sleep in a good way: I sleep less and wake up feeling great.
I'm careful with it, as there's abuse potential in my case. I was taking it regularly a while ago and kept escalating my dose to achieve the same effect; withdrawal was hellish. These days, I take it prn. I've never had this problem with benzos.
Did you see my reply to your other post? Sorry if I seem insistent, but the beta-blockers were a godsend for my brand of anxiety (physical, not "mental").
Take care.
> I'm going to pdoc next week. How about Gabapentin for sleep and anxiety? Any thoughts?
Posted by jms600 on May 13, 2011, at 14:43:47
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety » jms600, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 9:49:48
> > I took Pregabalin (a more potent form of gabapentin) for severe GAD and panic disorder. I took it for about a year. It wasn't really successful for me so my doctor took me off it. I guess it could be worth you trying it though.
>
> That's Lyrica? My hunch is that it's kinda' different from neurontin. Not just stronger but a little different. But I haven't tried neurontin, so don't know. Neurontin has a good track record for
> some.
>
> Do you have something working for you now, jms?
>
>I've just started Klonopin which seems to help. Trouble is I don't see it as a long term therapy as I'm frightened of tolerance developing as well as the long term effects it has on the brain. I would like to try Nardil but my doctor won't prescribe it.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 15:25:55
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety » markwell, posted by orbital on May 13, 2011, at 14:35:47
Orbital, I've been interested in your posts on beta blocker's.
Just thought I'd mention that.
Posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 15:33:55
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety » orbital, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 15:25:55
I'll mention beta blockers to my dr on Thursday. I'm interested if Gabapentin helps with racing thoughts as I think that is the key to wellness for me.
Posted by sigismund on May 13, 2011, at 15:48:43
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 14:04:58
No, I haven't taken Lyrica.
I asked my psych for it but he felt it was too toxic (I think) but he was OK with gabapentin.
Posted by orbital on May 13, 2011, at 15:49:10
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety » orbital, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 15:25:55
Thanks FB :) If you need any input, just ask.
I had to jump through some hoops to get the b blockers prescribed (literally! heart stress testing, and an EKG) but it was so worth it.
I just wish they'd given me Tenormin instead of Xanax in the ER, back when I was having my first panic attack.
> Orbital, I've been interested in your posts on beta blocker's.
>
> Just thought I'd mention that.
>
Posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 15:53:00
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 15:33:55
I googled racing thoughts and also searched the archives briefly. Some mention neurontin. There were different approaches because racing thoughts occur for different reasons. Have you searched the archives or Google?
I wonder if the right stabilizer is key. Some said lamictal, some a low stimulant with lithium or depakote. Topamax. More.
Hang in there.
Posted by orbital on May 13, 2011, at 15:53:27
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 15:33:55
If anything, in my experience gabapentin seems to magnify racing thoughts, but not in an unpleasant way. YMMV of course.
SSRIs might be a good option to relieve racing thoughts, especially the ones that are traditionally considered to be calming (basically all of them except for Prozac and maybe Zoloft).
> I'll mention beta blockers to my dr on Thursday. I'm interested if Gabapentin helps with racing thoughts as I think that is the key to wellness for me.
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2011, at 21:51:05
In reply to Re: Gabapentin for anxiety » orbital, posted by floatingbridge on May 13, 2011, at 15:25:55
FB can't take beta blockers with thyroid disease contraindicated hence had to take 25mg of lopressor to start first ad. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on May 14, 2011, at 4:31:29
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
I guess it's a decent choice. My doctor uses it a lot for Lyme patients because it helps them with sleep, anxiety, and pain. He says brand is very important because he sees frequent failures and problems with the generics. He won't even prescribe the generic at all actually. If you try a generic and it doesn't work or has problems, you'll still not know how it would have worked for you because it was the wrong version.
I personally favor the idea of using the power of some medicinal plants. Within the sleep/anxiety realm there are some good choices that have equal or better prognosis than any med, and are broadly beneficial in other ways as well.
I've never tried gabapentin myself. From watching other people over the years it seems like it works pretty good for a lot of people but tends to poop out.
Posted by floatingbridge on May 16, 2011, at 22:32:33
In reply to Gabapentin for anxiety, posted by markwell on May 13, 2011, at 7:24:14
Markwell, just checking in with you and wondering how things have been.
Reading a site called psycheducation.org.
Full of info on BPll. Phillipa posted something from it. Jim Phelps. (I recall.)
Have you seen it? I don't know how to post a link from my phone.
Let us know how it goes with your doc, o.k.?
fb
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