Gabapentin/Neurontin Advice

[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’ve come to the conclusion that the medication is most likely not at fault as I have the brain issues even when I forget to take my meds. :-/

 

[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.

You started at 600mg, 3x a day?

Are you finding sufficient relief at your current dose?

Sorry if I’m asking questions over again.

I just am having growing pains and need assurance.

My dose was lowered and now I’m ramping back up. Long story.

 

[MrMoonlight]

@EveHarrington I hope you are doing okay. For me, the med took a long time to completely "even out" to where the side effects diminished. I don't feel as tired anymore and for the most part during the day it makes me really calm. I'm not a zombie, I feel like after a while it just rounds many "sharp edges" in life. I think more clearly too because I'm not so "activated".

I think after titrating up my initial dose was 600mg 3x daily.

I needed more help when I was going through trauma IOP. We increased my dose to 900mg 3x daily.

I felt like I needed more coverage through the day and have found a really good dosing schedule right now.

My Psychiatrist trusts me and gives me a ton of leeway, he allows me to tell him how much I need and I find my own dosing schedule. My prescription is written for three 300mg capsules three times daily so I have enough to do what I need. That equates to a 2700mg total for the day.

Currently, I take 2400mg per day or 600mg 4x daily.

I like how this schedule covers my entire day. When I get up I take 600mg, at 10am another 600mg, at 2pm another 600mg and my final 600mg @ 5pm. I feel like one pill builds on the next so in the afternoon hours I have a little more in my system for operating in my daily life.

I can also use it like a benzo if triggered or flashing back like I did last night.

What's happening with you Eve. You ok?

 

[EveHarrington]

@EveHarrington I hope you are doing okay. For me, the med took a long time to completely "even out" to where the side effects diminished. I don't feel as tired anymore and for the most part during the day it makes me really calm. I'm not a zombie, I feel like after a while it just rounds many "sharp edges" in life. I think more clearly too because I'm not so "activated".

I think after titrating up my initial dose was 600mg 3x daily.

I needed more help when I was going through trauma IOP. We increased my dose to 900mg 3x daily.

I felt like I needed more coverage through the day and have found a really good dosing schedule right now.

My Psychiatrist trusts me and gives me a ton of leeway, he allows me to tell him how much I need and I find my own dosing schedule. My prescription is written for three 300mg capsules three times daily so I have enough to do what I need. That equates to a 2700mg total for the day.

Currently, I take 2400mg per day or 600mg 4x daily.

I like how this schedule covers my entire day. When I get up I take 600mg, at 10am another 600mg, at 2pm another 600mg and my final 600mg @ 5pm. I feel like one pill builds on the next so in the afternoon hours I have a little more in my system for operating in my daily life.

I can also use it like a benzo if triggered or flashing back like I did last night.

What's happening with you Eve. You ok?

Just having med stabilization struggles. And today was a rough day, in the ER with my boyfriend, kids screaming, etc. I’m more sensitive when my meds aren’t right, and today I could really feel it. Thank you for asking! :hug:

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Currently, I take 2400mg per day or 600mg 4x daily.

Sorry if this derails the thread. I have a few questions.

I take two 600mg tablets or 1200mg 3 times a day. I was on two 900mg tablets 3 times a day but was lowered. My understanding is they don't make the 900mg tablets anymore? I was also told I was on the highest possible dose (for neuopathy. They are not given to me for seizures so that may differ per dignosis and the reason they are prescribed). If that is not the case for neuopathy then I need to get on my doctor's ass as since the removal of Clonidine from my pain pump, neuropathy is eating me alive. So that's one question. I don't put it past Drs to lie to patients that are on high doses of medication but it's a pain management dr and my pain is not managed.

Also, one side effect of gabapentin is trouble emptying your bladder. I do know there is another reason for this issue for me but I also know that the gabpentin is adding majorly to it due to it getting worse when I was increased and better when decreased. Today I can usually use water running sounds on youtube (phone up to my ear) and that will help. Not always though. Stress worsens this symptom as does PTSD, being triggered, and such due to my trauma. Which makes a 5 mins trip to the bathroom at work into an event. It is a known side effect of gabapentin as not only did I research that but asked both the prescribing doctors (have had a few through the years) and the phamacy.

Have you experienced this side effect and if so, have you found anything that helps other then water sounds?

 

[MrMoonlight]

Water sounds always works for me though I really haven't noticed any decrease in my ability to empty my bladder. Sorry, it's becoming troublesome for you. I think the only side effect I have from gabapentin is sedation which is for me desired.

Really I'm so sorry your pain isn't managed right now.

 

[joeylittle]

I was also told I was on the highest possible dose (for neuopathy. They are not given to me for seizures so that may differ per dignosis and the reason they are prescribed). If that is not the case for neuopathy then I need to get on my doctor's ass as since the removal of Clonidine from my pain pump, neuropathy is eating me alive. So that's one question.

You're on the highest recommended dose - the fine print on the med info will likely say that doses higher than 3600mg/day showed no clinical advantage (when studied).

Gabapentin affects other common pain management drugs - generally decreasing their effectiveness. This would be the other reason why exceeding the clinical threshold would probably not be helpful, in your case.

Increased water intake can make a real difference as far as the bladder problems go.

 

[Deanna]

Have you experienced this side effect and if so, have you found anything that helps other then water sounds?

I have. You need to drink more water and cut out most caffeine if you can. I don't take a really high dose of gabapentin like you do.. But I can tell you, you're kidneys have a huge job to do and would like more water. I've cut out coffee, sodas and tea. Water is it. Try water only for three days and see if it helps.

 

[EveHarrington]

What's happening with you Eve. You ok?

Ack, IVE GAINED 40 POUNDS!

10 came off without trying, and I’ve lost another 5 by cutting calories. So now I’m 25 pounds above where I was when I started this drug.

I’m just so lost at this point.

I think I’ve gotten used to the cognitive issues so yes they’re still there, I just don’t notice them as much.

My dose is 300mg, 2x a day. I gave up on the mid-day dose. It just wasn’t happening.

I question if I need it?

I KNOW I need all my other meds, I just don’t know about this one. It was added in when I was having Trileptal issues. It doesn’t stabilize my mood.... Does it give me anxiety benefits? I just don’t know.

This weight gain sucks.

 

[joeylittle]

This weight gain sucks.

Hearing you.

Have you plateaued after you lost the 5 by cutting calories? Can you add some increased physical activity? It might not need to be a big shift, just a small one, in order to counteract the weight creep. The fact that you were able to lose 15 pounds would (kind of) indicate that you'll be able to get the rest of the weight off without discontinuing the drug.

 

[whiteraven]

Ack, IVE GAINED 40 POUNDS!

10 came off without trying, and I’ve lost another 5 by cutting calories. So now I’m 25 pounds above where I was when I started this drug.

I’m just so lost at this point.

I think I’ve gotten used to the cognitive issues so yes they’re still there, I just don’t notice them as much.

My dose is 300mg, 2x a day. I gave up on the mid-day dose. It just wasn’t happening.

I question if I need it?

I KNOW I need all my other meds, I just don’t know about this one. It was added in when I was having Trileptal issues. It doesn’t stabilize my mood.... Does it give me anxiety benefits? I just don’t know.

This weight gain sucks.

I actually gained 60 on Depakote and was NEVER able to get it off. Of course, I was dealing with pretty severe depression at the time, so activity, etc.. - none of that was even possible.

I'm really sorry you're struggling with this, Eve.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm really sorry you're struggling with this, Eve.

Thank you!