Gabapentin/Neurontin Advice

[EveHarrington]

Sorry I missed your question here Eve. Are you still feeling well on that dose?

I started with 600mg 3x daily but have played around a bit with dose and the times I take the med. I increased to 900mg 3x daily for some time but didn't like how it made me feel mentally.

Right now I have increased the frequency and lessened the dose. I'm taking 600mg 4x daily (2400mg out of a max daily of 3600?). I am really pleased with this schedule. It covers my entire day, allows for some flexibility and manages my anxiety/anger. If during the day I need more help I can add more. Or If I know I'm doing something that will be triggering I can get ahead of things and take more before going.

edit: I have not gained weight on the med but it's sedating so that can interrupt my motivation level and effect my weight.

Yeah, I’m ok on 300mg 3x a day, but oftentimes I forget a dose. I need to work on taking it consistently.

I saw somewhere that the max dose is 5400, but that might just be docs pushing the limits on the drug.

I think it’s causing water retention as my rings are a bit more snug. I’m trying to eat better so I don’t gain.

 

[Deanna]

: I have not gained weight on the med but it's sedating so that can interrupt my motivation level and effect my weight.

:
That makes sense. Thanks! I take the 300 × 3 as I said.. But mine has a dual purpose. I used take 6 of those a day but now I take 3-4 a day. I've got degeneration in my neck so neck doc and psychiatrist win. Anyway.. The 6 pills a day is a little much.. But yes to the weight. ( great statement) I've got an extra 15 pounds I'd like to melt off. Definately makes me more relaxed not to move. Trying the treadmill once again .

 

[Deanna]

]

I think it’s causing water retention as my rings are a bit more snug. I’m trying to eat better so I don’t gain.

Definitely. I'm a tea drinker and i have now cut tea out. No caffeine. Ill drop 5 lbs easy.. I've done it before. I just hate it because I need a certain amount of caffeine to work everyday and I'm limited to water and Gatorade

 

[EveHarrington]

I find the sedation doesn’t hit me so fast if I take it with food. (It was like this with Trileptal, too.)

 

[lostforgottensoul]

saw somewhere that the max dose is 5400, but that might just be docs pushing the limits on the drug.

My pain dr told me Thurs that I was on the max dose. 1200 mg 3 times a day = 3,600 mg a day. But I was on one dose higher then this. It was out of the book and in the medical book as max dose (meaning the Dr at the time wasn't supposed to prescribe it but it was safe) which was 1 and a half 900mg tablet (not even sure they make that mg tablet anymore) = 1350 mg 3 times a day = 4050 mg a day. To get a Dr to prescribe higher then what I'm currently on would be a miracle this day in age. Most especially since it's hit the streets as a recreational drug called Gaba. No way a Dr is pushing those limits today.

To answer the OP, yes, they tirtate you up. Sedation feeling for me went away after a week and today its no different then taking an asprin. For my father, the sedation feeling never went away. I call myself lucky as without it I can't walk and the neuopathy causes me to be in screaming bloody murder stabbing, burning, feeling like someone is peeling off my skin pain 24/7. So, I guess I am lucky in that aspect.

I don't know why it doesn't give me the option to edit my post. So, will just quote my own.

My pain dr told me Thurs that I was on the max dose. 1200 mg 3 times a day = 3,600 mg a day. But I was on one dose higher then this. It was out of the book and in the medical book as max dose (meaning the Dr at the time wasn't supposed to prescribe it but it was safe) which was 1 and a half 900mg tablet (not even sure they make that mg tablet anymore) = 1350 mg 3 times a day = 4050 mg a day. To get a Dr to prescribe higher then what I'm currently on would be a miracle this day in age. Most especially since it's hit the streets as a recreational drug called Gaba. No way a Dr is pushing those limits today.

Just wanted to add this all may be different if taking for it's intended purpose. It's an anti-seizure med. So, if perscribed for that it all maybe different. I'm prescribed it for neupathy and nerve pain. And it's just my own personal experience as well.

 

[EveHarrington]

I think this drug is making me stupid.

I CRS!

Either that or my dissociation is getting really bad.

:-/

 

[joeylittle]

I think this drug is making me stupid.

What are you noticing (if you don't mind my asking)?

 

[EveHarrington]

What are you noticing?

I am having a hard time remembering things. I'm not sure if my dissociation is getting worse or if the med is affecting me.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I am having a hard time remembering thin

Not heard of this side effect of gabapentin before but maybe another has? I know it makes people tired and a really annoying side effect of high doses is having a hard time to empty your bladder but not had or heard of this issue before with gabapentin.

 

[Sweetleaf]

Gabapentin isnt itself a benzo, but is able to give you the same addiction/withdrawal that benzos give, as it acts on the same system, and benzo abusers often will use gabapentin alongside benzos, since gabapentin isnt controlled like benzos and can be more easily procured.

 

[joeylittle]

I am having a hard time remembering things.

Do you know if the difficulty remembering things happens at a consistent time of day, or time related to your dose? That's one way to be able to assess whether or not the medication is at fault.

 

[EveHarrington]

Do you know if the difficulty remembering things happens at a consistent time of day, or time related to your dose? That's one way to be able to assess whether or not the medication is at fault.

I haven’t noticed that it happens at a certain time of day, related to when I take it. I have noticed that I do get tired if I don’t take it with food as the food makes it so that it doesn’t hit my body so fast. I’ll try to take notice though. Thanks!