[ComfortablyNumb5]

In this article (from a reputable source) it said that gabapentin, my new miracle drug for anxiety, has shown that it deteriorates the brain and keeps it from forming new brain synapse. One side argued that we already don't have new synapse after adulthood while they proved this wrong. Another thing, if you get pregnant on this and it already stops our brains developing, then imagine the horror it would have on an unborn fetus! I find this disturbing. I don't know what to do! This med is my stabilizer and my anxiety smasher. I'd go nuts if I just quit. This is scary!

http://www.wellnessresources.com/stu...rain_synapses/

[p00dlez]

I am so sorry that your going through this. I think I believe this study though. I was once put on Neurontin when I lived with my sister. That stuff gave me the worst headache of my life.

I have never had a headache that bad before or since. It wasn't on it too long and I flushed that crap down the toilet. I couldn't deal with it. Do you think there's anything else you could try? If I was on it I would be freaking out too.

Yep, the research study definitely looks legit.

I've always wondered what these psych meds do to our brains. For example, antipsychotics cause brain deterioration over time. See here: http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/arti...ticleid=211084

So yeah, we're all screwed one way or another.

But like p00dlez, I'm sorry that you're going through this. I took gabapentin and couldn't handle it because it made me rage.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Gabapentin has been my go to stabilizer now and if I'm not on a stabilizer I'll have an episode. And I can't take regular anti seizure stabilizers because you can't mix them with birth control. I'm kinda screwed. The part about the unborn fetus is what scares me!

[bioChE]

Yeah, it's kind of surprising that there haven't been any studies to follow the development of children whose mothers took gabapentin during pregnancy. I bet there will be now, though.

Originally Posted by bioChE

Yeah, it's kind of surprising that there haven't been any studies to follow the development of children whose mothers took gabapentin during pregnancy. I bet there will be now, though.

Most companies aren't allowed to do this (studies of pregnant women on X) so they only way they find out is through yellow card reporting. They can't do trials on pregnant women or children in most countries I know of. So it's either reporting something after the fact (which may or may not be due to the drug) or extrapolation. Which isn't as bad as it sounds if you think about it.......

[Icare dixit]

Anxiolytics are evil.

Basically.

[bioChE]

Originally Posted by Little Cat

Most companies aren't allowed to do this (studies of pregnant women on X) so they only way they find out is through yellow card reporting. They can't do trials on pregnant women or children in most countries I know of. So it's either reporting something after the fact (which may or may not be due to the drug) or extrapolation. Which isn't as bad as it sounds if you think about it.......

Gabapentin is currently listed by the FDA as Class C for pregnancy, meaning the effects are unknown.

I wouldn't expect a drug company to do the study, I guess my assumption was that a research organization (university or otherwise) would enroll volunteers.

[raspberrytorte]

I'm not worried.

With all the meds I'm on I'm screwed regardless!

[bioChE]

Originally Posted by raspberrytorte

I'm not worried.


With all the meds I'm on I'm screwed regardless!

I'm with you. Studies like that really don't scare me anymore. I've been on so many substances over the years that there's no way to figure out which one has shafted me the most.

[Unrigged64072835]

I'm at the point in my life where I'll take whatever comes so I can have a little bit of stability.

[Wild Coyote]

It's all a bit frightening and certainly less than ideal.

I had held out from taking various categories of meds and only became more ill. I held out even longer -- until it became clear I had to choose life or death... now... as in the Present Moment.

I am also at the point where I have to take meds, no matter their potential side-effects. It's the only way I might survive in the here and now.


WC

[~Christina]

I have taken both for my Fibro ? Didn't help me, made me a bit stupid to be honest .

Every single psych med has the potential to cause a disaster if pregnant, but in general all meds have the possibly to harm or kill us , even Tylenol. So it's really a balancing act.

Benzo nazis say they cause early dementia..... Okay but if your overwhelmed and unable to manage life then it's doubtful you are going to worry about early dementia .... You'll be to busy working out an exit plan since life might not be worth it .

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

In this article (from a reputable source) it said that gabapentin, my new miracle drug for anxiety, has shown that it deteriorates the brain and keeps it from forming new brain synapse. One side argued that we already don't have new synapse after adulthood while they proved this wrong. Another thing, if you get pregnant on this and it already stops our brains developing, then imagine the horror it would have on an unborn fetus! I find this disturbing. I don't know what to do! This med is my stabilizer and my anxiety smasher. I'd go nuts if I just quit. This is scary!

Neurontin and Lyrica are Highly Toxic to New Brain Synapses | Studies

Pretty much any psychotropic drug is going to interfere with brain function. I've taken neurontin occasionally but don't like it because it makes me feel stupid, but if it works for you go for it. If it helps you with anxiety it's much better to take that then a benzo. There have already been tons of studies on benzos and dementia et cetera. I think like someone said above, it's a balancing act and a risk/benefit decision.
I read the study and it seems to primarily just focusing on how the medication works in vitro. Are you freaked out because you want to have a kid and don't want to stop taking it? Unfortunately any drug you take will impact a developing fetus, and untreated mental illness during pregnancy is super dangerous. Whether or not to conceive is a decision that every bipolar woman must make, and for me, for those reasons, and due to the nature of the illness, I am childfree by choice.

well now i really dont want to take my meds

[bioChE]

Originally Posted by eden1515

well now i really dont want to take my meds

You never wanted to take them in the first place.

Originally Posted by bioChE

You never wanted to take them in the first place.

Yes I know which is why I said "really don't want to" to emphasize like it is even more so now than before.

[povertyvalley]

Was on up to1200mgs? a day for back problems Said it would block nerve signals about 4 years ago. Made it worse got off it. Have a scrip for amitriptyline (old school ssri) and only use when needed. In my opinion I would look for a alternative

[venusss]

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

In this article (from a reputable source) it said that gabapentin, my new miracle drug for anxiety, has shown that it deteriorates the brain and keeps it from forming new brain synapse. One side argued that we already don't have new synapse after adulthood while they proved this wrong. Another thing, if you get pregnant on this and it already stops our brains developing, then imagine the horror it would have on an unborn fetus! I find this disturbing. I don't know what to do! This med is my stabilizer and my anxiety smasher. I'd go nuts if I just quit. This is scary!

Neurontin and Lyrica are Highly Toxic to New Brain Synapses | Studies

Not surprising. After all it was found out few years that AP that has been prescribed left and right for everything to anxiety to insomnia to... "little Johny is kinda spoiled brat and teachers like him ever so much zonked out on this"...

Are you really expecting something so chemical and so mind altering to be harmless?

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I also take an Alzheimer's medication. It supposed to help with OCD and it has a side affect that I lose weight on it (need that since I've put on so much weight on BP meds this past year). My DH asked if I was concerned about that and Gabapentin. I'm like, I was suicidal before. I have to do what I have to do to be here. That is my take on it.