Jaba,
Thanks for pointing those articles out. You are right about the last one mentioning a withdrawal symptom. So now I am curious why I was told otherwise about this and what the truth is. I'll investigate further. And the first study about the combined effect with Nal looks interesting, although with all of these studies whenever I start reading the details about how they actually carry it out, I get frustrated because it seems like they never set up the experiments the right way so as to make any solid conclusions. Why would they stop the Gabapentin after only 6 weeks???

Je,

I agree about the study...actually all studies, for it is all about the money. If someone was going to make a new drug with nal and gaba there will be a ton of studies.

I will dig a little more about the Gaba, for I am curious myself.

If I find anything I will let you know.

Jaba

Je,

I found this article and I thought it was interesting.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/826680_2

It looks like it is the higher doses and those "seeking" for a buzz are those that are having difficulty. I think it might be how the gaba reacts to your body/brain. If you feel stoned when you take it, it might have addictive properties for you, but I do not think everyone is effected like this. One of the strange side effects that was list and people commented on it in a different article was an out body experience. Have you had anything like that?

I was interested in gaba because I thought it might help with my hot flashes, but now I am thinking twice about being on it.

I am still digging,

Jaba

Jaba, check into using MSM for the hot flashes.

http://bit.ly/1OCzNxu

There's more info out there about it, I'll let you apply your Google-Fu to the subject.

Thanks Joe,

I cannot remember if I tried that one or not. I know that I tried one that gave my stomach issues, but I am unsure if it was that or not. I have been trying different things for about the last 20 years (I started in my 30s), but it never hurts to try something again.

Jaba

Jaba,
I wasn't able to access the article without signing up on that website, but at the doses I am taking (600 mg twice a day) I experience no side effects, no high or stoned feeling, and certainly no "out of body" experiences. I feel no different than when not taking it, other than perhaps the reduced craving for alcohol. And as you say, it could just be that it only has those effects on a small percentage of people. It's always hard to get clear, quantitative answers on things like that. Obviously anyone thinking about taking Gabapentin should discuss it in person with a doctor (I feel like one of those long, annoying TV commercials).

Je,

I think there is nothing to worry about, for it would be like being on Wellbutrin, but I would talk to your addiction counselor. Make sure you point out that you read about how Gaba needs to tapered off to find her position on the matter, but you are on a very low dose (which is a good thing).

I am on Adderall (which I cannot wait to be off of) along with Wellbutrin and my therapist doesn't believe in tapering off the Adderall (and most doctors do), but does with the Wellbutrin which will be dangerous if not tapered.

Gaba is not dangerous without tapering off of it, but I do not believe in being uncomfortable. If it is helping you, that is all that really matters!

I will try to figure out what happened with the link and what was stating, for I cannot remember what was talking about...I am getting forgetful in my old age...and if I can I will post a link that actually works.

Jaba

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/826680

The article is "Has Gabapentin Become a Drug of Abuse" Sarah T. Melton, PharmD

Hopefully this link works.

This is what I found interesting (among other things):

A small number of postmarketing cases report gabapentin misuse and abuse.[1] Although the rationale for abuse is unknown, some individuals describe "euphoria, improved sociability, a marijuana-like 'high', relaxation and sense of calm."[1] Other patients report feeling "zombie-like."

It talks about how Gaba has been reported being misused in correctional facilities (if I was in jail I think I would want a drug escape as well). It also talked about how it is easy to get an early refill because it isn't a controlled substance and that is why some people would take more than prescribed (between 3600-4900 and 1800 mg/day was prescribed), and then the script would run out and then the withdrawal symptoms set in.

Again, I think you have nothing to worry about, but I just thought it was interesting that it was being abused in jail, it is not a controlled substance, and it can give a buzz like MJ. BUT, that is not everyone nor the norm.

I did read a drug abuser blog and he abused gaba (along with some other drugs) after he got out of rehab. He did say that coming off of it wasn't as bad as heroin, but he was surprised how crappy he felt without it. Again, he was using more than the normal amount (his grandmother was on it for her arthritis which is a higher dose) that would have been prescribed.

Thanks for sharing, that is definitely very interesting. I guess the bottom line is that people can find a way to overdo and abuse just about anything (I read recently about someone who died from drinking too much green tea), but that doesn't necessarily make it problematic for the large majority of people using it properly.

That made me giggle (although it is not funny).

What you say is true, for if there is a possibility for something to be abused, someone will figure out away to abuse it.

Since you feel no effects, there is no chance for you to become addicted or abuse it.

BUT, if you do talk to your therapist about the tapering, do you mind sharing her feelings on it. (someone might be self medicating).

Jaba