can low dose Gabapentin improve mood?
 

Hi,

I started 120 mgs Gabapentin (a little less than half of a 300 mgs capsule) seven days ago.

My sis and my todc have noticed that I am more animated, energetic, and generally more up than I have been for a long time.


M.

Yes it s used as a mood stabilizer, how do you feel? does it feel good? are you sleeping any better?
bizi

as a MOOD Stabilizer???? no.
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin#Negative

in the 90's they were TRYING to use it as a stabilizer.

it's mostly used for neuropathic pain and other nervous pain, seizures and off label for migraines. those i've personally heard from who took it as a "stabilizer" either had no success or the "apparent" success wore off after the grogginess that comes with getting used to it.

i personally found that when i took the odd dose for sleep, i was much more relaxed the next day... lower anxiety. so if a baby dose (eg 100mg or even 50mg) actually had an effect on you, and you didn't get "used to it," i could see it helping you feel more "chilled out."

why were you given it? anxiety, sleep, mood stabilizer, other?

i am shocked that any doc nowadays is giving it as a mood stabilizer. for anxiety i could see trying it, and especially anxiety-related insomnia.

~ waves ~

nerve pain (burning)
 

Waves,

My internist gave it to me for nerve pain.

M.

Bizi,

I go to bed earlier than I used to.
On most nights I am getting more sleep than before.

M.

I was prescribed it 1st in 2009 for mood stabilizing, also anxiety, in hospital. I think it started high (400-500 mg/day--does that sound possible?), then dropped to 200--finally too 100 in a.m. at release.
As I've said, it was increased back to 200 for anxiety but I had speech probs that time.

Jude / Mari
 

Mari i am still concerned about this and would like you to put a call in to your pdoc/neuro about it. Maybe it is more common than i think and i need not worry, but i worry. Especially since you are outpatient...

~ waves ~

Dear Waves,
 

Waves,
Speech problems are listed across the internet by patients.

The PI Sheet lists the following under Nervous System:

M

Dear JudeLauren
 

JudeLauren,

Anxiety has certainly decreased. Mood seems to have lifted up a bit too.
I've been on it for 9 days at the approx 120 dose.

How long did you stay on the med?

M.

Dear Mari

i do not know the specifics of the "speech issues" you are having withe the gabapentin and there is a vast range, for one. furthermore, you are a special case in terms of recent medical history.

hence my concern and insistence about calling pdoc who knows your history. but i shall stop flogging the horse now, call if you want, don't if you don't.

i hope you will be ok.

i am glad the med is having some positive effects on you as well.

~ waves ~

money issue
 

Waves,

My insurance owes the pdoc payment.

Also, I feel like i just saw him.
I'll call him on Tues (after the holiday).

M

Mari
Can I ask what kind of speech it is in particular?

I didn't realize that gabapentin can cause problems with speech. But I am wondering right now, if it might be part of why I have developed a speech

problem I didn't have as a chld.

I have pronounceation problems I don't remember having before this drug.
Not that I can say for sure it was this one. And not another one.

SO this is making me wonder.

Donna:grouphug:

Dear Donna,

I can't explain exactly what the speech issue is.
I've been home from work for two days so I can't remember.


I think to someone listening I might be slurring my words.

The first two days on the gabapentin I was stuttering and having problems finding words (hence lots of cussing).

I have to work tomorrow. I am going to listen to myself so I can describe what is going on.

M

good luck today at work Mari...hope this side effect goes away asap!
bizi

For me it was an entirely physical side effect--as if words stuck in my mouth. The effort to force them out seemed to twist my mouth all around, & I kept trying to smooth my lips out. The problem went away quickly & completely when I cut out the 200 mg daily dose.

Thanks Ladies

It just has made me begin to wonder. I had never really noticed till recently
as in last gener year.

That I don't say certain words correctly. I have a very nervous type
way of just saying its something I have always done. Whether it always
is or not. It seems to be something that makes me feel better.

But I'm beginning to wonder what is going on. I believe I'm starting
to misprounce more words all the time.

But it is really making me wonder. Because I take less than I did
of the gabapentin 3 months ago. And a different generic right
now So I am wondering what I should do.

So any ideas would be appreciated.

Donna:grouphug:

I was prescribed gabapentin after my back surgery in Jan...I have been on it since then...I notice absolutely nothing. It doesn't affect my mental issues or my pain. I don't even know why I am on it. The pain mgmt doc seems to think it will work. Um, nope...not really.
OK..that was my 2 cents. :)
Take care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, Cblue,

WOW. Nothing?

Do you get side effects?

Tell the doc to get you off it.
Even though it is cheap and has a low side effect profile, you probably don't need to be on it.
I think you have to go off it slowly if you do go off it.

Has anything worked for you for the pain?


M.

Dear CBlue,

for pain issues doses on the higher end are usually needed. how much are you taking, and how long have you been on this dose? it is possible you are not taking enough. you should definitely talk to your doc about these things and i'd do so before d/c'ing. clearly it isn't hurting you either.

Mari is correct about not stopping suddenly: because gabapentin is an antiepileptic, abrupt cessation puts you at a risk for seizures, even if you do not suffer from epilepsy.

(((hugs))) sorry it is not helping with the pain. :(

~ waves ~

Yes Gabapentin, you have to be on a pretty good size dosage for pain management. So if your not then it wont help. Also I've been told to
take magnesium with mine to help with the pain. I do and it helps immensely.

Donna:grouphug:

any one take cymbalta for pain and depression?
just curious for mari.
bizi

I started on cymbalta for statin pain, & had it increased when it didn't help. Still didn't help pain, but my mood was better. When I was diagnosed bipolar, it was combined with a mood stabilizer. When I asked why, the psychiatrist said so I wouldn't go manic. I don't understand the chemistry involved in that explanation....

Bizi

For your question, you know i take cymbalta. But Mari, has said she can't
because there is no generic.

It is too expensive other wise.



Lauren,

Man my computer is losing threads tonight

I miss the cymbalta. I had to stop because of price. I just don't have
$400.00 for one month.

My primary prescribes this medication. And I don't believe from looking at the paperwork I can qualify. My husband is behind on our taxes. So doing the paperwork is not easy yet. He just doesnt understand why its important.


My pain doctor prescribes gabapentin, so I'd have to take that paperwork to his office. And unless put it through for 3 months, which usually they can't.
I'd have to go each month too get it. Same for primary.

I have another to get here. Cant off the top remember its name. Its a muscle relaxer.


Then I have my Verapamil, and Topamax that my Neurologist prescribe for Migraines. That I could fill out paperwork and take to his office.

And go pick up every month too.


My biggest problem with all this is. I don't know if I'd then have to make more doctor's appts. I am getting away with going 6 months with two of the doctors.

So I have to stop procrastinating and get the paperwork done. Then make sure I take the right ones to the right doctor's next appt. If I can't keep affording the meds.


Donna:grouphug:

i just have to say how appauling it is how expensive medications are.
bizi

Kroegers has 30 day supply of certain meds for $4.00
 

Dear Donna,


Kroegers and Walmart have 30 day supply of certain meds for $4.00 with a dr's prescription.

On their lists:
~Verapamil,
~BACLOFEN -- muscle relaxant

See if you see anything else on their list.
http://www.kroger.com/GENERIC/Pages/alpha_listing.aspx
Kroeger


Ask your doctor if you can take Amitriptyline. It is an antidepressant that can be used to help with nerve pain.

Or take the list to the doctor and see if she / he can find something on there for you.

M.

The verapamil that is on the list isn't the one I take.

I take the ER form.

And the one on the list isn't coated. And I wont switch because of
that.

But I'm taking the 240 for about 1/2 the price of what I paid for the 300.

Which is lots better. And I've gotten in the mail another discount
prescription drugs thingy. That I plan to try this next month.


I'm going to see if I can get the meds at different times in the month.

Even twice a month is better than once.

And with the fact that I can get my medformin for 3 months for $10.
Which I did last month. That helps.

This month, I have already ordered my simvastin and my blood pressure
that I can get for $10 for 3 months. For $4.00 for a month. So I
will wait till the next time I need a refill and get these two for the same
3 months.

That will help too. IF I can spread some of them out.

Then I have to start getting the topamax generic in about another 2 months.
I haven't ran out of my supply yet. I have kept them some how.

So I'm doing good there.

I didn't realize amtrilpine ? is for the pain thingys too. I was told nothing
is like cymbalta. So I wouldn't try another one.

My husband takes it right now. And both of my son's have before. SO
I wondered before about it.

Donna:grouphug:

When the Cymbalta didn't help with my statin pain, I was put on amitryptiline--started at 3 mg & ended up at 50. It didn't deal with the pain so much as overwhelm it. The 50 mg simply knocked me out. I had trouble waking up, didn't really, sorta stumbled thru the first half of the day, needed strong stimulants to really get going. No way to live, at least not for me.
They don't know what causes statin pain, so my situation isn't the same as yours. With actual nerve damage, that type of pain may well be something you need to escape. I don't know.

I don't know the chemistry either I only know from experience that when I was put on an antidepressant, which can be stimulating...I went manic...and I was already on a mood stabilizer. The only anti depressant I would ever consider is welbutrin at half a dose, have taken that before safely staying sane. But I am bipolar 1 so I have to really be careful. I recently became manic/hypo manic when obcessing over my face and losing weight. It is easy for me to obcess over things. And hard to tell what came first the mania or the obcession. I think/know that they are evil sisters....bizi

I missed last night's dose of the Gabapentin
 

Hi,

I have been taking the 100 mgs or so of Gabepentin between 9:00 pm - 12:00 midnight.
I forgot and then fell asleep without it. I'm experiencing nerve pain and wicked paresthesia. Because I am not experienced with the medication, I am unsure about seizure risk. The stupid stupid stupid pharmacy is not open until 8:00 am -- :mad: :mad: :mad: :( I am waiting to find out if it matters when I take it. :confused:

I don't feel comfortable taking the med right now because I have to drive and go to work.


The PI sheet says
M

Pharmacist said it was ok to wait until tonight
 

Hello,

The pharmacist checked the literature and told me it was safe to wait to take the Gabapentin tonight --- something about because I am taking it once every 24 hours instead of three times a day.

I am going to go to work and take the pill in my purse. I only have to take care of two or three things at work and then leave. On the way home from work I will take the pill. Maybe I can be home in about three or four hours and on my way back to sleep.


:( :confused: I could really really really really use some sleep. :Zzzz:

M.

I really really really hope you get some sleep.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

HI, Bizi,

I stayed home instead of going to work. . . . .took the Gabapentin and some Klonopin . . . fell asleep on the couch. Then the phone rang from work.


I'm going back to bed in the bed room with the door closed . . . . . can't hear the phones in the bedroom.

M.

Hope sleep works it's magic for you, Mari. (((HUGS)))

JudeLauren, :Heart:

Thanks. Sleep was wonderful.
I came here to work for a few hours after I awoke.

M.

tdoc later
 

Hi,

I see tdoc tonight.
I am staying home today I hope. Maybe sleep and be relaxed when I see her.

M

Mari

Good luck with the doc tonight.

And sleeping today.

Donna:grouphug:

I hope you had a good session with your tdoc, I saw both my pdoc and tdoc today.
they were both good visits.
bizi

This has been simmering....
 

When I read your response to me about the chemistry, I thought I followed what you said and then just moved on.
Well, it stuck in some sticky part of my brain & I keep thinking about it. You know what? I guess I have an obsessive component at work. I really hadn't thought about it like that, but I can see where I get fixated on things. If I decide I'm going to plant a fall veggie garden, I do--no matter what. Even if I start too late, etc. I just push thru. Of course it doesn't work, I pay the price, physically, mentally, etc. I guess too I'm in a manic drive as I push thru.
So you've given me some new ground to chew over.

:Thanx: :hug:

To Donna - re: amitriptyline (Elavil)
 

Dear Donna

since you're not bipolar i don't think you need to worry too much about mania.

Amitriptyline is - as Mari said - an AD. it is in the tricyclic class, an older one, brand name is Elavil which you might have heard of. it is chemically unrelated to Cymbalta.

It is prescribed off-label as an aid in different pain syndromes, for sleep, and for migraine prophylactic treatment (and possibly more). i have not tried it personally, but since you've got that going as well i wonder if you might not want to try it - you might kill two birds with one stone...

something to ask a doctor about. you should ask about the relative risk of weight gain too before you get sold on it.

:hug::hug::hug:
~ waves ~

and with that, i pronounce this thread Officially DERAILED. :eek::o