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GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.

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RonaldFHarner	GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	Lead	[-]
Posts: 96 09/05/03 11:20 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hello dear friends, May God's Grace and Peace be with each of you and your families. Following is an excerpt from Mike Cohen's, "Tinnitus News Letter". Ear Nose Throat J 2001 Feb;80(2):114-6 Gabapentin for the treatment of tinnitus: a case report. Zapp JJ. Pain Institute of Northeast Florida, 2021 Kingsley Ave., Suite 102, Orange Park, FL 32073, USA. The objective of this article is to discuss the clinically effective use of gabapentin in patients with tinnitus. The author describes the case of a man who came to the office complaining of tinnitus of 10 months' duration. The patient was started on gabapentin and maintained on a regimen of 500 mg/day in divided doses. Subsequently, he reported that he was free of tinnitus approximately 23 days a month and that he experienced a 75% decrease in symptoms during the remaining days. At 2 years' follow-up, he remains noise- and pain-free on 500 mg/day of gabapentin. PMID: 11233342 Does any one in this tinnitus community have any first-hand knowledge of this drug, "GABAPENTIN"? Sincerely yours, Ron Harner
bryears	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#1	[-]
Posts: 408 09/05/03 11:40 AM TSMB Supporter Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hello Ron I took Gabapentin, for approximately just three weeks, so I probably did not give it enough time. The reason I was on it however, was suggested by a Pharmacist, to be used in my case as a sleep aid. Well for that purpose it did not help at all, thus I gave up after a short period. The question I have to ask......is Gabapentin, also known as Neurotonin (pardon my spelling) ? I am also curious as to what others have to say about this drug? Anyone? Bryan
Twars	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#2	[-]
Posts: 115 09/05/03 12:00 PM Banned User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would say a relaxing short break in nature, would do more than Gabapentin. It won't slow you down and harm your nervous system too, imo.
Allan2011	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#3	[-]
Posts: 289 09/05/03 12:52 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I tried it, but no effect on my tinnitus. Made me feel like a zombie, so I discontinued after one month. Allan
twoashes	Neurontin	#4	[-]
Posts: 414 09/05/03 1:26 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've read quite a few relative success stories about gabapentin, at least as compared to any number of other drugs. Complaints of zombification and doing nothing seem to be common regardless of the drug. Clearly what works for some doesn't work for all, and this is one of the drugs I've considered giving a shot after the material I've read. Neurontin sounds as though it's getting an even worse reputation in the wake of all the off-label prescribing being done with it.
ships	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#5	[-]
Posts: 57 09/05/03 1:53 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I've been taking gabapentin for quite some time now......I have had no adverse reactions to it whatsoever...if you want to read a study with gabapentin and tinnitus..you can read a very interesting article in the 2002 international tinnitus journal...which can be found online..I beleive for me that it has helped my tinnitus. peace ships
Oz Greg	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#6	[-]
Posts: 21847 09/05/03 6:35 PM Under the Southern Cross. Admin. Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Ron For some info on Neurontin (gabapentin) please look at these links: www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru652.html www.psycom.net/depression.central.gabapentin.html www.priory.co.uk/focus8.htm As for long term use of this drug, well I am not sure if that would be advisable but I'm not a doctor! here is another pubmed report: Assessing tinnitus and prospective tinnitus therapeutics using a psychophysical animal model. Bauer CA, Brozoski TJ. Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794, USA. cbauer@siumed.edu Subjective tinnitus is a common and often debilitating disorder that is difficult to study because it is a perceptual state without an objective stimulus correlate. Studying tinnitus in humans is further complicated by the heterogeneity of tinnitus quality, severity, and associated hearing loss. As a consequence, the pathophysiology of tinnitus is poorly understood and treatments are often unsuccessful. In the present study, an animal psychophysical model was developed to reflect several features of tinnitus observed in humans. Chronic tinnitus was induced in rats by a single intense unilateral exposure to noise. The tinnitus was measured using a psychophysical procedure, which required the animals to discriminate between auditory test stimuli consisting of tones, noise, and 0 dB. Tinnitus was indicated by a frequency-specific shift in discrimination functions with respect to control subjects not exposed to noise. The psychophysical consequences of the noise exposure were best explained by a tinnitus hypothesis and could not be explained easily by other consequences of noise exposure such as hearing loss. The qualitative features of the tinnitus were determined and related to the duration of noise exposure and the associated cochlear trauma. The tinnitus was found to persist and intensify over 17 months of testing. Finally, the tinnitus was reversibly attenuated by treatment with gabapentin, a GABA agonist. It was concluded that this model reflected several features of human tinnitus, such as its tonality and persistence, and could be useful as a screen for potential therapeutics as well as a tool to help unravel the pathophysiology of the disorder of phantom auditory perception. greg
Jeff Zimmerman	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#7	[-]
Posts: 537 09/05/03 10:25 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I have been on Neurontin for one year. I started taking it for foot pain but found that it also decreased my tinnitus and dizziness. I was able to reduce my daily dose of Xanax by increasing the daily dose of Neurontin. My doctor says that taking Neurontin long term is far safer than taking any Benzodiazapine long term. I know another person who has had their dizziness greatly reduced by Neurontin. I believe it is worth a try for people with serious dizziness and/or tinnitus problems.
ChristianFr	Re: GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.	#8	[-]
Posts: 3845 09/05/03 10:32 PM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The off-label marketing of Neurontin by its manufacturer Warner-Lambert is a highly controversial topic: www.msnbc.com/news/937302...cp1=1#BODY Christian
twoashes	Neurontin	#9	[-]
Posts: 414 09/06/03 1:04 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Have you experienced lethargy on neurontin? (Or, for that matter, sexual side effects?) I can easily see how it could cause problems in someone who does not already have a GABA-related problem.
Jeff Zimmerman	Re: Neurontin	#10	[-]
Posts: 537 09/06/03 12:35 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I don't feel any lethargy. Just the opposite I am sleeping much better since going on Neurontin so I have more energy from a good night of sleep. Another person who is taking it for dizziness has had an energy increase as well. She and I both have inner ear dizziness/balance problems. Dizziness takes away our energy. Since the Neurontin improves sleep and decreases the stress of the dizziness our energy during the day increases. I know others who say they have lethargy problems from Neurontin so they could not take it. It all depends on your body chemistry and what health problems you are trying to overcome. There have been others who have posted on this Board over the past year who were helped by Neurontin. I am not sure if they post here any more because of the improvement to their tinnitus. With any medication possibilities it might work for some and not for others.
HissinDG	Re: Neurontin	#11	[-]
Posts: 34 09/06/03 1:36 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi all,I`ve been taking neurontins for a few years with no complications,it lessened the intensity of T whereby helping me deal with it better.At one point I was not sure if it really was helping that much and if I came off the med then I wouldnt be dependent on it so I told my doc,he said quit and see what happens,I did.Then it went right back to loud T,so I was convinced to stay with neurontins until I could do better.I only take them when I go to sleep.
twoashes	Type	#12	[-]
Posts: 414 09/06/03 7:40 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	For those whom it seems to help, could I ask what type of T you have? (Noise induced, Meniere's, bilateral, high-pitched, intensity, etc.?)
Allan2011	Re: Type	#13	[-]
Posts: 289 09/06/03 8:05 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	One more thing. I tried Gabapentin with no success. The best remedy I've found to cope with my tinnitus is a good nights rest (at least 8 hours). I avoid napping because it makes it more of a challenge to sleep at night. Naps usually make my tinnitus seem louder when I wake up from the nap. In order to sleep well, I had to go on an antidepressant that promotes sleep. The medication I take just before bedtime is Remeron (30 mg dose). I've also had success with Elavil, but my doctor decided to put me on Remeron, because it has less side effects (I haven't noticed any yet). I couldn't do without the Remeron now and it has worked wonders by getting me functional again. I would also recommend getting some soft music or a nature sounds compact disk and playing this on a low volume beside your bed at night. It will help take the focus off the tinnitus. I feel like I can perform normally during the day now. Before the Remeron I was a basket case. I still have bad days though where the tinnitus spikes, but I seem to cope with those tough times and get through them OK. Hopes this helps. Just wanted to let you know how I have found a way to cope with my very severe tinnitus. Also, I think it's important to keep a positive attitude. Whenever I get down, I just remember the others here who are effected by tinnitus. That way I know I'm not walking this road alone. There's hope, light and peace at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there. Allan
twoashes	Dosage	#14	[-]
Posts: 414 09/06/03 8:16 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	What was your dosage of gabapentin? I've read of several folk who had no luck at 1200 but good success at 1800 (something along those lines) or even more. (And, of course, I've read of many who had no success at all.) I understand the complexity of dealing with neurotransmitters, but I've yet to understand with all the money made in the pharma trade why there aren't more large-scale studies on these types of things.
Jeff Zimmerman	Re: Type	#15	[-]
Posts: 537 09/06/03 9:55 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	My tinnitus and dizziness began 20 years ago when I had a severe viral infection of the inner ear. The doctors believe I had some kind of nerve damage in the inner ear. My tinnitus is a constant high-pitched cricket type sound in both ears. My intensity level now while taking Xanax and Neurontin is just below normal conversation sound level (about 4 to 5 by most scales). Without any medication my tinnitus gets very loud going well above normal conversation sound level (at least an 8). My family doctor has me at 1800 mg per day of Neurontin. My neurologist says that going above 1800 mg per day helps only a few people at least with nerve pain. I need a higher dose because I am also dealing with foot pain. 1800 mg per day is considered a high dose. A moderate dose is 900 mg per day. It does seem like there should be a lot more medical studies on the issue of neurotransmitters and medications like Neurontin. I believe Neurontin was first released in about 1992 as an anti-epilepsy medication. It never did very well in helping with epilepsy. Neurologists began to discover that it is very helpful in dealing with nerve pain. They began prescribing it for back pain, foot neuropathy, etc. I just talked to a doctor who said that a number of anti-epilepsy medications are worth a try for my situation. A new medication called Pregabalin is supposed to be out by the end of the year. Pregabalin has been tested for problems like anxiety and nerve pain. Doctors will prescribe Pregabalin for fibromyalgia and anxiety disorders as well as various types of nerve pain. It is supposed to be more effective than Neurontin but in the same family chemically.
ChristianFr	Re: Type	#16	[-]
Posts: 3845 09/07/03 2:27 AM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	www.msnbc.com/news/937302...cp1=1#BODY [...] Franklin: Were really being inundated with information from across the country with physicians that are seeing a profound improvement in patients with bipolar disease ... so we would suggest that you titrate the patient up to 4,800 milligrams you will see marked improvement in their symptoms. Hockenberry: So your suggestion to me is triple the dose and I might see some positive results. Franklin: Absolutely. Its not a matter of might. You will see an improvement. Hes a scientist who couldnt sound more certain. But is there any scientific validity to what he is saying about, for instance, bipolar disorder? Franklin: None at all. And in fact, much of it is a fabrication. It is simply untrue. Hockenberry: Was there any data that really supported the claims you were making? Franklin: Not at all. At best the claims were based on promising anecdotal and untested preliminary information that Franklin says was, promoted to doctors vigorously, directly and illegally. Franklin: Not only is it illegal, its downright immoral. It doesnt just hurt the medical community, it has the potential of hurting patients. [...] Hockenberry: Did you pay doctors? Franklin: I personally did not pay physicians. What my responsibility was, was to let physicians know that there was money available to them. [...]
twoashes	Honestly	#17	[-]
Posts: 414 09/07/03 4:26 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Honestly, at this point I couldn't care less about the 'scandal' over pushing Neurontin for off-label use or otherwise. All I really care about is that it's an existing and available drug with about as much anecdotal efficacy as I've seen for anything out there; many say it does nothing, and many others say it just flat works to make their lives with tinnitus much less miserable.
ChristianFr	Re: Honestly	#18	[-]
Posts: 3845 09/07/03 4:45 AM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Twoashes, As you said, it's a drug with absolutely no proven effect against tinnitus. But it's also a drug with a side-effect rate well above that of many other unproven products like ginkgo. As the drug is prescribed nevertheless one has to ask a simple question: What's the reason for prescribing a drug with no proven effect, but with proven side-effects? And we're not only speaking about (acceptable) clinical trials, we're also speaking about an off-label use. Is there any connection between the off-label prescriptions of Neurontin and to the allegations against Warner-Lambert? I believe tinnitus patients have a right to know about these allegations before making a decision about the use of Neurontin. They have a right to know that according to these allegations, Warner-Lambert heavily pushed the off-label use of Neurontin despite of a clear lack of data supporting its effectiveness. And they have to know that gifts to doctors ("honoraria") apparently played at least an indirect role in this scandal. While I have no doubt some doctors prescribe Neurontin simply because they are convinced of it and want to help (even if I doubt it'd be very ethical by doctors to do so) one has to ask a very simple question: Is it possible that some of these doctors were deceived by Warner-Lambert and is it even possible they were offered gifts for prescribing it frequently? Christian
Call Me Op	Re: Honestly	#19	[-]
Posts: 6096 09/07/03 6:48 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Christian, In the US we have the FDA to regulate drugs. But what are the criteria for allowing a drug onto the market - that it's safe? No, only that the ways in which it may injure or kill you are documented. -Op
ChristianFr	Re: Honestly	#20	[-]
Posts: 3845 09/07/03 7:10 AM Registered User Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi Op, You're absolutely right, but if you know the dangers and benefits of a drug you can at least say something like: It will kill one in one million, it will harm one in tenthousand, but it will be highly benefitial in 78% of the patients. Therefore the benefits are bigger than the danger. Things are very different if you use a drug with an unproven effectiveness. For example if a doctor prescribes Neurontin against tinnitus he knows of certain dangers, but he has absolutely no idea if it's more effective than a placebo. It is impossible to make a rational risk-benefit analysis in these cases. Of course those who take part in clinical trials face dangers as well, but at least they have to be fully informed about them: www.faseb.org/arvo/helsinki.htm A good clinical trial will also only use as many patients as necessary. Christian

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GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.

GABAPENTIN ?????, Anyone.