Naltrexone & Neurontin Experience?

[SciCo]

My dr just wrote me an rx for these. The side effects of the neurontin sound just as bad as quitting benzos cold turkey (I'm trying to get off alprazolam). I really don't even want to take it.

Also curious about naltrexone and if anyone has had success with it in treating alcohol and opiate dependency.

Thanks!

 

[DelRi0]

Don't be too afraid of the Neurontin, it acts on GABA receptors, just like benzos do, although in a far less addictive manner. So it would be a very helpful drug to have for helping you come off of Alprazolam. As for the naltrexone, it acts as an opioid receptor antagonist, meaning that is does the exact opposite of what opiates (agonists) do when they attach to opioid receptors in your brain. Naltrexone in the simplest wording, is a straight up 'anit-opiate'. What exactly has you worried? Side effects? Mixing the two? or what...
Because that sounds like a decent mix of medicines to come off of benzos and/or alcohol..

 

[SciCo]

Thanks for the feedback. I really trust my doctor, I am just the type that likes to check and double check. I read something regarding side effects of neurontin and they had me a little worried (said they could have similar effects as coming off benzos including seizures which is what my dr is worried about and why he rx'd this to me to begin with). But I guess they are just another stepping stone to getting off the benzos (which I am having NO luck with - tapering has been a joke).

The naltrexone I feel pretty comfortable with, was just wondering about anyone willing to say "Hey yah, that worked for me!" I have high alcohol tolerance and dependence and have been torturing myself with how to get heroin for a while now (would totally be using if I had a source, and that scares me). I finally confessed to my dr and this is what he prescribed. He also mentioned suboxone but $4/pill vs $4/month for the naltrexone....kinda a no brainer. Not sure about suboxone and alcohol use, but at least for the time being, the naltrexone sounds like the right choice.

Sorry I think I'm rambling.....

Anyway thank you so much for your input.

 

[Cane2theLeft]

As for the naltrexone, it acts as an opioid receptor antagonist, meaning that is does the exact opposite of what opiates (agonists) do when they attach to opioid receptors in your brain.

Sorry if I'm being pedantic here but I wouldn't characterize it this way - the opposite of what opiates do is opiate withdrawal and unless you're physically dependent, antagonists certainly won't produce this. For most, they don't have many side effects and simply block opioids from being able to work. In some they could cause depression and interfere with normal reward responses but in addicts and alcoholics, this risk typically pales in comparison to the psychological and physiological risks of continued use.

OP, I think you're making the right call trying naltrexone first before suboxone. When suboxone is used appropriately, you take larger doses primarily for the blockade effect and you rapidly build a tolerance to it's agonist effects so after a short period, it should feel and function largely the same as naltrexone. Some do find that suboxone helps more with their cravings so if the naltrexone is insufficient in this regard but considering the cause and the difficulty many have eventually getting off it, it's good to start with something other than suboxone.

 

[DelRi0]

Always bustin my balls Cane I was simply trying to convey it in a more layman-like description because I wasn't sure if the OP would understand if I went off into a neurological rant about synapses and sodium gates and whatnot. So, I apologize for over-generalizing it as 'anti-opiate'. To the OP, good luck on finding a combination that works, be sure to check back in and keep us posted if you would like!

 

[Cane2theLeft]

^ I wouldn't be all over your balls if they weren't so beautiful, Del.

please do keep us updated!

 

[SciCo]

Thanks for the additional info Cane. Very helpful. And don't worry about getting a little technical with me, I can handle it I'm supposed to pick up the scripts tomorrow.

 

[SciCo]

I thought I'd update this thread. I'm off the xanax for 15 days now, on 900-1200mg of neurontin daily. First two weeks sucked so bad (quit cold), I'm now feeling a bit better but still random withdrawal symptoms that are nasty, even on the neurontin. Haven't really been consistent with the naltrexone.

I'm very tempted to ask my dr for a suboxone rx, kinda wish he never told me that was an option.

All things said and done I'm doing pretty good on the current meds.

 

[Psychedelic Jay]

Just hang in there.

I think if you have the cash flow, ask your doctor about lyrica.

This is stronger and is more stable in dosing than neurontin. This should eleviate the differences betwwen good and bad days of your xanax WD. IMHO

 

[shootingmyself]

OP, I've been prescribed both neurontin and suboxone. Obviously by the amount of time from your original post you'll know if the neurontin has been working for you or not. I got prescribed neurontin about 3 or 4 months coming off benzos and about 5months after going from H/methadone to suboxone. found it really helped for anxiety and wasn't very abuse-able which is good for me. It was also a huge help getting off the suboxone about this time last year. My experience with suboxone (besides the cost) was very positive, but would never consider getting prescribed it for anything but a high opiate habit. Although the WDs were there, I was able to slowly taper at my own pace (until the very end at least) and felt completely stable with little to no cravings for over a year ( but the blocking effect was the main reason for even getting on it). I have no experience using Naltroxone for alcohol, but it seems like adding the bupe to the combo will just end up being a very expensive way to trade addictions. good luck man

 

[SciCo]

^ Thanks, shootingmyself, that was very helpful. I've also found there is basically no way to abuse the neurontin, which is good. I have a bad pill problem, my doctor knows my issues and is being very careful about rx'ing me anything I may abuse.

And I will look into the Lyrica, Jay (I've been on the nuerontin less than a month, and I'm just adjusting to it and feeling virtually no side-effects.)