I found the articles refered to by NPR:
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2010/04/13/eline/links/
20100413elin006.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/04/anticonvulsants-
suicide-risk-gabapentin.html
I have never been on Gababentin/Neurontin but the relief I get from
Lyrica was worth the month of side effects I went through to get to
relief (the makers acknowledge lyrica's temporary suicide risk and
has information for patients and doctors).
Anti depressants also carry a risk of increased suicide until the
user adjusts. the suicide risk is also temporary and passes when the
taker adjusts. It is good to know that this is a possibility so that
doctors, patients and their family's can monitor the patient for such
a side effect but if you do the math the risk is very small and
keeping an eye on it can lower the risk even more.
more worrisome to me is the crackdown of off label uses of
medications like these 2 drugs that so many of us "off label users"
find so helpful.
Mindy the artisan
On Apr 13, 2010, at 4:18 PM, Akua wrote:
neurontin and gabapentin (sp) just on NPR---- didn't hear it all
but something about suicide... for those on it, you might want to
check it out.
I remember refusing Neurontin for my pain while in the nursing
home, because of side effects and being chastised and derided for
my decision repeatedly. I am so grateful I resisted the pressure.
With depression as an attendant to TM, suicide inducing chemicals
are a burden we don't need.
--
