Lyrics, Neurontin & Bipolar Disorder

[Nicholas7410]

My shrink tells me to never allow a dr to prescribe the above mentioned drugs.  Several neurologists waned to for my back pain, but she said absolutely not.  Anyone ever had this told to them?

[Nicholas7410]

Thank you guys for your input.  I left this out, but I'm on Lamictal & Lithium for BP & Clonazepam & Buspirone for panic & anxiety disorder.  The combo of these drugs with Gabapentin (Neurontin) is what really screwed me up more than I already am.  The Gabapentin really knocked me for a loop.  It gave me the shakes, made me dizzy & really screwed with my cognitive skills.  I think this is why my shrink wants to keep me away from this class of drugs.  This combo just doesn't mesh with what I'm on.  The shrink I have now put me on this cocktail.  I feel better and more leveled out than I have in years .  Of course I still I have my bad days, but are much easier to cope with.  Again thank you all.  Good luck & good health to you all.

[Crystal413]

I don't think your pdoc is being an extremist at all. After all, he is the dr, we are the patient. I would hope with his education, on this matter, is a whole lot more than ours.  I took Neurotin for 7 days. Starting at only 100mg per day. On the 4th day it was increased to 200mg. Mind you these are very low doses. On the 5th day I felt as if there was a lump in my throat and got the worst tremors in my face and the front of my neck. It has been pure hell.  It has been an absolute nightmare. I am under the care of a Neurologist for the tremors. My dx is Pscychotropic Tremors from Neurotin. He said they will eventually go away, doesn't know how long it will take and I am on medication for them. I would listen to your pdoc.

[Anonymouse88]

Neurontin is used off label as a mood stabilizer, although by all reports it doesn't do a very good job at it, except for maybe a few rare people.  Both of them get used off label for anxiety (I think it's Lyrica that's actually approved for anxiety in the UK, just not the US).  That seems to work better overall.  Your shrink is being extremist--I've seen tons of people with bipolar over on another site benefiting from one of those drugs, either for mood purposes or pain purposes.  

[CRSeaside]

I was on Nuerontin & fight bipolar. I will say that it made me an emotional wreck when I tried to get off of it. Had to taper off. Took forever.
  It helped pain control, but I wouldn't take it again.  Don't know about lyricia.
Maybe side effects ?  Pamela