I have suffered with spondylolisthesis for more than 25 years. At first I took a pain killer named Wygesic and muscle relaxer, Robaxin. I took these only for the first couple of years, but not favoring drug medication, I stopped using them and have been able to control the pain with exercise and herbal remedies. However, lately the pain is getting worse, especially down my left leg, with painful, electrical-feeling paresthesias into my big toe. I have been looking around at several medications and am wondering how effective Neurontin may be for this type of thing. I also suffer with insomnia and mild depression, so I thought I could address these several things with one medication. Any feedback or advice would be appreciated. I am concerned about side effects also.

Thank you

Hi Spondylo http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I do not know if I will be able to answer if neurontin can help you prior to fusion. I am 14 months post-fusion L5/S1 due to spondylolisthesis but I did not start taking neuronting until recently due to a new development of sciatica. I can tell you neurontin did help with the sciatica but it caused terrible headaches. My neuro has now put me on Amitriptyline (Elavil) which is an anti-depressant while the neurontin is an anti-seizure medicine. Amitriptyline has reduced my sciatica but it does cause drowsiness which carries over into the next day. I have been told this side effect will wear off in about a week. Since Amitriptyline does help you sleep and is an anti-depressant, I would discuss this with your doctor.

I hope this information helps you.

---------------------
Spondylolisthesis - level 2 L5/S1
Pars Defect
End Plate Separation
2 Nerve Root Blocks (no effect)
L5/S1 Posterior Fusion with hardware (no BAK cages due to lack of disk space) - August 2002
Right side hardware removed due to loose screw and rod rubbing against facet joint - March 2003

[This message has been edited by L5S1 (edited 10-20-2003).]

DO NOT take Neurotonin if you are suffering from depression. There was a major exposee on 60 Minutes about this drug. I was on it and gained over 60lbs and had horrible depressive episodes. My DR took me off of it and put me on Topamax and I have lost 58lbs in 5 mos, no depression and my nerve pain is 100% better..

I was on Neurontin for the nerve pain for the spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis(sp) and could not take it because of the extreme nausea. I started Topamax almost 3 weeks ago and the nerve pain is almost gone on 50 mg a day. I'm amazed at the difference in the pain. Topamax has some side affects but they are lessening every day. I feel great!!!I've also lost 5 pounds.

I have taken both neurontin and topomax and had side effects from both drugs that were annoying enough for me to discontinue use. The neurontin made me severely dizzy and the topomax made my hair come out by the handfuls and also made me unbelievably thirsty. I didn't like either drug, but everyone reacts differently to this stuff.

Gillian-
Taking a vitamin B supplement Biotin daily, I take 3000 mcg, stopped the hair loss immediately. I now have the best skin and thickest hair I've had in years.

Based on what Shay had told me on an earlier thread I bought the Biotin and began taking it today before I experienced any hair loss. I'm also taking vitamin b and a multi vitamin. I'm drinking lots of water. The Biotin is supposed to be great for skin and hair so maybe I'll have great hair and skin out of this on top of no nerve pain http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif. Everyone has had so many different side effects. I just know that I'm already about 20 pounds overweight. I'm not going to take anything I know will add additional weight. I gained 30 pounds on Effexor and Prozac so I know I'd gain on Neurontin too . I was glad it made me to nausaus(sp) to take. I just hope I can take the Topamax. If I can overcome the memory problems (They have been better the last 2 days) and keep from losing my hair then I'm happy with it. (Haven't lost any yet)

Callie...did you find the Topamax Talk BB ???
Remember just take it slow and let your body be your guide on the doseage increases

shay,
I applied for membership on Sunday but they haven't approved me yet. They said to send an email and it keeps saying I'm in the process but no approval yet. I did not realize it was so hard to join the group. I'll feel really special if I get in http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Thanks for the Biotin tips. I hope I caught the hair loss thing in time. I can already feel a difference in the nerve pain and would love to be able to stay on the meds but not if they make my hair fallout. lol

I have spondy and was on Neurontin for a couple of months. Didn't like its side effects, so I got off. Didn't help much with pain either. Now on Elavil (that someone mentioned earlier) and Naproxen. I think it helps more with the pain, and since it makes you sleepy, it helps with sleep as well. Also on Ultracet, which really helps with pain, but it acts like a stimulant with me, so I can't sleep. Take it early in the day. Good luck!

Katie

Thank you all for your input and valuable comments. I am weighing all this out. I am putting up with the pain as long as possible. My hair is fairly thin already, so I'd shy away from any that made more fall out. And I don't need anything that might make me depressed, either. The Neurontin and Topomax seem to be specific for nerve pain, what about just a general pain reliever? The Elavil sounds interesting.

Nothing like answering over a half a year later. My husband's father passed away in January and it has taken awhile to get back to normal. My apologies and thanks for the information to all who answered. Still looking for answers and getting a lot of good information off these boards.

Thanks again.