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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on April 17, 2004, at 14:24:12
I'd like to know what the mechanism of action for Neurontin, as it seems to moderately help my social anxiety disorder. However, I've found that it seems to lose its effectiveness over time. I've been on 800 mg three times a day and noticed very little difference. I'm currently on 400 mg three times a day, and feel it is slightly more effective at this dose. Does anybody share a similar experience, or have any comments? I've taken it as needed before and it's worked wonders.
Posted by shadows721 on April 17, 2004, at 21:32:00
In reply to Questions about Neurontin, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on April 17, 2004, at 14:24:12
I have found that when I take Neurontin everyday, I built a tolerance for a level. So, I take it as needed to get a better benefit. I don't know the exact mechanism of this drug either, but I do think one can built a tolerance for it. It seems like one would keep having to increase the dosage after a certain amount of time to receive the original benefit. I do question if this medication is addictive physically.
Posted by SLS on April 18, 2004, at 7:29:21
In reply to Questions about Neurontin, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on April 17, 2004, at 14:24:12
> I'd like to know what the mechanism of action for Neurontin, as it seems to moderately help my social anxiety disorder. However, I've found that it seems to lose its effectiveness over time. I've been on 800 mg three times a day and noticed very little difference. I'm currently on 400 mg three times a day, and feel it is slightly more effective at this dose. Does anybody share a similar experience, or have any comments? I've taken it as needed before and it's worked wonders.
I once tried using Neurontin to treat bipolar depression. I found that I would experience brief relief immediately upon changing the dosage, both up and down. I could not make it "stick", even when combined with Lamictal.
- Scott
Posted by slinky on April 18, 2004, at 10:51:01
In reply to Re: Questions about Neurontin, posted by SLS on April 18, 2004, at 7:29:21
> I once tried using Neurontin to treat bipolar depression. I found that I would experience brief relief immediately upon changing the dosage, both up and down.
I also have to increase or decrease depending on my agitation , irritation.
Sometimes less is more....little and often , because whatever the dose of the pill I believe (I may be wrong ) 20% of the pill is not absorbed.
Posted by judy1 on April 18, 2004, at 19:49:07
In reply to Re: Questions about Neurontin, posted by slinky on April 18, 2004, at 10:51:01
oh lord neurontin, i feel it's just one big placebo. I've taken up to 3000mg/day- maybe more it's been a while- and it had zero effect on my bipolar disorder. the positive was it had no side-effects either. I've heard some people actually get relief for neuropathic pain.
best of luck- judy
Posted by Viridis on April 18, 2004, at 22:49:19
In reply to Questions about Neurontin, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on April 17, 2004, at 14:24:12
I found Neurontin very relaxing for two or three days, then had absolutely no reaction whatsoever, even though I continued to take it for quite a while. I'm convinced that my initial reaction was genuine, but I've never been able to recreate it.
BTW, increasing the dose is unlikely to be helpful, because Neurontin inhibits its own absorption above a certain dose (on average, around 600 mg per 3-4 hours). So, any extra likely will just be lost via urine, since it's metabolized through the kidneys. It is very safe, though.
My pdoc was OK with Neurontin until a couple of years ago, but now considers it an expensive placebo. However, he does think that the placebo effect is so real that if a patient believes that an innocuous med is working he will prescribe it. Kind of an odd approach, since he also says that he can't ethically prescribe something he considers a placebo without informing the patient of his opinion. But he is the most effective pdoc I've ever met.
Posted by stacia on April 19, 2004, at 0:29:27
In reply to Re: Questions about Neurontin » BIGDaddyachmed69, posted by Viridis on April 18, 2004, at 22:49:19
The mechanism of action for neurontin is unknown for both neuropathic pain and its anticonvulsant effect. Although structurally related to GABA, it does not bind to GABA receptors or inhibit its reuptake - nor does it bind to benzodiazepine receptors. Studies with rats have shown gabapentin binding with areas of the brain such as the neocortex and hippocampus. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Posted by slinky on April 20, 2004, at 5:40:12
In reply to Re: Questions about Neurontin, posted by judy1 on April 18, 2004, at 19:49:07
I think I should mention that I'm not functional on neurontin..
My highs are gone or brief..I think I use it mainly for anxiety and to dampen irritation.
This is the end of the thread.
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