Posted by floatingbridge on May 6, 2011, at 3:03:47
In reply to PLEASE READ.Pro/con:Gabapentin-agitated depression, posted by jmb2012 on April 30, 2011, at 20:21:15
You might have your scrip and be trialing Lyrica right now. If so, I hope it's working for you.
>
> THE GOOD:
> Profound improvement of mood and a slowing of my brain. I felt normal, above normal, I felt good. I was able to focus, socialize and enjoy pretty much whatever I was doing. I was the best, most functional, most charming, considerate and peaceful version of my self. If I could be like that all the time, I thought, I could face anything. It was incredible. I had never felt so normal and able to enjoy life. In other words I was on a drug. I wish my brain naturally was more like this. Alas. Over time the extremely short active life of GP began causing a roller coaster effect during the day. I would take it, 1-2 hours later I felt the lift of mood and increase of happiness/positivity. 2-3 hours after that I felt myself begin to plunge back into my normal state of blah/moodiness/keyed up adrenaline response. So I'd take it again and the cycle continued. A moderate tolerance developed but it was ok. Getting tears in my eyes while working the pediatric unit in the hospital had is drawbacks.
>
> THE BAD: Psychological, physical, both or otherwise- dependence has developed. I have NEVER been addicted to anything. I understand the process and condition much better now. You are free of your defective mind when high. The better part of you is able to rise and express itself. GP gets you functionally high. I get it now when junkies say " I'm sick man. I need my medicine". While I have not experienced any serious somatic (body) symptoms- jitteryness, some dizziness maybe-- I have DEFINITELY experienced psychological ones. It's either the contrast between my natural, base, mental state and my GP elevated state, straight up physical withdrawal symptoms or a combo of both but when that stuff wears off I am not happy. Everything comes rushing back in with the force of a torrent breaking through a dam.If you've struggled since childhood, relief in a pill seems like a miracle. It's smart of you to recognize your tendency to be preoccupied with it. Others have commented on this. I'm not convinced that neurontin is necessaryily a no-no yet. After years of enduring, maybe you are giddy. And maybe a longer acting version is warranted. Psychological dependence is influenced by frequency of dose. More pills reinforce the mentality of dependency.
The yo-yo effect you describe is not good and will introduce significant stress as you already know. This could reinforce the dependency /addiction model as well.
>
> *Briefly*: the mechanism of GP is still somewhat in question right? Recent studies however have identified it's activity on voltage gated ion channels- exerting a membrane potential and anti-"kindling" stabilizing effect. They also discovered it acts on a number of enzymes, the net result of which supposedly reduce GLUTAMATE synthesis and release while increasing GABA production and slowing or inhibiting its breakdown. GP's activity on glutamate metabolism strikes the strongest note with me. IT FEELS, no proof, that when the GP wears off the brain compensates for it's reduced glutamate load. That or like benzos the brain becomes unable to
properly regulate the GABA/GLUTAMATE inhib/excitatory balance. AGAIN THIS IS ALL SPECULATION. PLEASE SOUND OFF ON THIS IF ANY ONE CARES.
I don't quite understand this action. I'll need to look up glutamate. My gp
supplemented me with gaba and glutsmate during a lyrica trial that failed. I'm not sure she was aware of what you are speculating. I believe her decision was more random, like, you're stressed and fatigued. Here, take this, too.> FINAL: I am in love with this drug. I am
in love with the way it brings out my
best. It's like meditation/happiness in a pill. I will not be able to tolerate it's kinetics though so I am doing two things: 1. Getting an rx for Lyrica. This is not something I do lightly. I know that I am going to have the same if not worse dependence issues on pregab as I am
having with GP. BUT I cannot function
without some effective form of brain brakes. I have ordered some Dilantin in a last ditch effort to avoid going on a gaba drug. The scant evidence for low dose ( 100-150mg) efficacy in brain impulse control is appealing but un-conclusive.
We will see.
>
> That's it really. PLEASE comment or ask me questions. This is a huge post and I only burden this site with it because I have not seen many detailed GP/Agitated depression experiences posted.
>
> I pray that that the road I have traveled
so far can offer some assistance to others. If you are walking a similar path in similar shoes please comment. This is an incredible, horrible drug but I seem to need it.
> Thanks and blessings to those who listened. Our modern life is not natural. It puts stresses on our system we have
not had time to evolve into. I pray that peace comes to all of us.
>Unlike some other posters, I'm not sure Lyrica may be a good substitute. Yes, you could take less because it is more potent, but it is not identical to neurontin. For me to contribute more fully, I would need to have tried it. I will say Lyrica had severely compromised by cognitive function. Really.
As you weigh your treatment options, would you consider talking anonymously to a good addiction specialist or anyone qualified to address your *love* of neurontin. It could be it isn't right for you. It could be that it will work if you work with it with fuller awareness.
Btw, the gp I see became addicted to meds and wrote her own scrips. She survived, dried out, and is thriving.
Best of luck with everything. I like to think that there are doctors out there who can empathize with their patients enough to do a good job, and find the ways to remain strong in their own lives to continue to work and be reasonably happy. You are remarkably honest.
Good luck, and prayers sent back your way.
*moving mountains one pebble at a time since lifting is contraindicated....
c-ptsd & attendant health issues
poster:floatingbridge
thread:984211
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110502/msgs/984695.html