Re: neurontin - my 9 year old daughter (picking skin, OCD and anxiety)

[Guest guest]

From what I know it is used in bipolar disorder as an atypical mood stabilizer.

I don't know much else except that is used in those with bipolar. It is somewhat

new but I believe it has been around a few years at least.

>

> I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> Thank you so much!!

> Any info would be helpful,

> Jackie

>

[Guest guest]

HI-i think neurontin has been around for years-an anti-seizure med,that is used

off label alot.My dd took it as a mood stabilizer for awhile,and I took it as a

pain med for my neuropathy. sue

________________________________

To:

Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:04:37 PM

Subject: neurontin - my 9 year old daughter (picking skin, OCD

and anxiety)

 

I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

Thank you so much!!

Any info would be helpful,

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

Awww... poor thing, the fear and anxiety can be so intense, and it sounds like

her compulsion to pick is a very big problem. I wish I knew of a medication

that I have heard of that works for the picking, but I have not. Hopefully

someone else here knows.

My Mum has taken the neurontin to control neuralgia, pain in her face, for many

years. It is also called gabapentin, and has been around since 1990's. I

understand it was first used as an anticonvulsant, also used as mood stabilizer,

and then used off label for many things including pain control for many

conditions.

My understanding is it has limited use in anxiety disorders, but is tried when

the ssri's don't have the desired effect, much like many others drugs are tried

and combined to see if something works. Don't know anything specifically about

it for OCD or skin picking, and don't recall seeing it mentioned on this site,

except with bipolar.

Don't know if it is appropriate with skin picking, but has habit reversal been

tried. I have a relative with trich. and I undertand this is something that

sometimes works.

Is it possible that she might need an increase in dose with the zoloft? As they

grow and things change this is often the case.

Really hope this medication is an answer, or that something else is found soon.

So hard to see them so bad.

Warmly,

Barb

>

> I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> Thank you so much!!

> Any info would be helpful,

> Jackie

>

[Guest guest]

Neurontin can be used to treat anxiety. My son took it for a few weeks, but it

didn't help him. We also tried Lyrica and had the same results. Perhaps it

would be effective as an adjunct for those who have dose related side effects

from other anti-anxiety drugs. Sometimes, severe behavior can be treated with

low dose antipsychotic meds. That might be worth looking into even as a

temporary measure. There are some sick picking (dermatillomania) websites that

offer behavioral interventions such as cutting nails, removing mirrors, removing

clippers, setting timers for bathroom use ect.

Hope it gets better soon.

Bonnie

>

> I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> Thank you so much!!

> Any info would be helpful,

> Jackie

>

[Guest guest]

Bonnie -

Thank you for the information! I truely appreciate you knowledge. I am out here

weeding my way and it is nice to hear someone who sounds like they can relate!

Thanks again!

Jackie

> >

> > I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> > Thank you so much!!

> > Any info would be helpful,

> > Jackie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Glad to offer a word or two. One thing that may help is to confront the

behavior each time you see it or catch it - especially if it's more a habit than

a compulsion. If it's a compulsion, you may see more irritability over the

subject. You might ask her what she's trying to achieve by doing this or

otherwise find out how aware of it she is. You may be able to find some

valuable info to help you know how to help her. If it is a body image thing as

opposed to a self soothing thing - the approach may be a little different. If I

can help more, please let me know

Bonnie

> > >

> > > I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> > > Thank you so much!!

> > > Any info would be helpful,

> > > Jackie

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie - has she been diagnosed with Trichotillomania? There are some

speakers on this at the upcoming OCD Conference - perhaps you can google them &

send an email to ask for references to experts on this part of the OCD spectrum.

Or just call the OC Foundation and ask. Their names are E. lin, PHD

& Keuthen, PHD. Gault is also doing a presentation on this

disorder, using habit reversal (which we have found extremely helpful with

spitting).

In terms of feeling nervous about going places - our daughter's OCD gives her

panic attacks, and agoraphobia. I remember crying the first time someone said

the word " agoraphobia " to me, but we have not found it as hard to address in

therapy as some other things. It's just hitting it head on. Understanding that

she is afraid to go places due to the panic has been very helpful, as was

learning to breathe through panic or anxiety (breathe in stomach, pushing up

hand, breathe out, stomach flattens. Practice when not stressed, so you can use

it when she is). We also say a mantra " this is just panic, I will be fine, I

can breathe through this. This is just panic, I will be fine... " Then it's

just traditional ERP therapy - learning to go to where you are scared, and live

through the anxiety without bolting. Then reinforce that success & practice,

practice. We did things in baby steps, so we might drive to the place & sit

outside. Then eat a sandwich outside. Then go in & ask for take out (if

restaurant!). Then have a soda. Then have a meal. That would be slow

exposure, but can help them gain confidence that they will survive. Do you have

any sense of whether there is a thought of " what will happen " in that place? If

so, this is helpful, but not necessary at first. I have seen that look of

terror, and I know how it breaks your heart. The trick for you, is to look

beyond that, to who your daughter wants to be, and model perfect confidence in

her ability, even when she is clearly in a panic. Then you can cry at night in

the shower ( - just being honest!), and prepare to be braver than ever the

next day. She can conquer this fear, and all the others, and it is good that

you are able to help her at such a young age (my daugher is 7, started with OCD

at 3, and then again at 6).

Have you found a great Pediatric OCD therapist that practices ERP therapy? This

is the only therapy that is medically proven to be as effective as medication in

many cases, and works well in combination with therapy. Let us know if you need

help finding a therapist.

I am sorry she is having such a hard time. Seeing the skin picking must be so

very hard for you as well. All my best - in NC

> > >

> > > >

> > > > I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year

old daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since

she was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is

infected clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so

far. She is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to

places that she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and

says, " mom, I don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes.

She is currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> > > > Thank you so much!!

> > > > Any info would be helpful,

> > > > Jackie

[Guest guest]

Glad to help whenever I can

Bonnie

> > >

> > > I just wanted to ask anyone about the medication Neurontin. My 9 year old

daughter's doc. wants to put her on it. She has had OCD (diagnosed) since she

was 6. Now she is exhibiting new behaviors -- skin picking until it is infected

clear to the bone. She has had to be on antibiotics 2 times for this so far. She

is also having stomach aches - headaches and not wanting to go to places that

she has never been (or have felt bad at). She get very nervous and says, " mom, I

don't know why? " then she has a look of shear terror in her eyes. She is

currently on Zoloft and it seems to help with the intrusive thoughts and

handwashing. Could someone give me any advice on the Neurontin? I have never

even heard of it - let alone if it is safe. Is it a new drug? Etc...

> > > Thank you so much!!

> > > Any info would be helpful,

> > > Jackie

> > >

> >

>