julie-clark
09-21-2006, 10:27 AM
Hope someone can help with a question, it is difficult to get answers from the dr. who prescribed it for me as he is not a neurologist but my heart dr. and really is not so informed when it comes to my diabetic problems but tries to help anyway. I had gone to him for a prescription of Lyrica after reading it was prescribed for neuropathy but also worked for site pain with subq remodulin which is almost unbearable so i hoped it would help with both. He said Gabapentin was the same thing as Lyrica and wrote the script for that. I have taken it at night and wow, i actually sleep all night and dont wake with pain in my feet or my subq site. my problem is working to taking it 3 times a day. I havent found anywhere where someone just takes it as needed and i wonder if that is even possible? i cant function during the day if i am on it-will sleep all day and if i do get up youd think i was a stumbling drunk. has anyone ever just taken it as needed? my pain comes and goes so why do i need to take it three times a day? thanks for your help- i just am ignorant when it comes to this class of drugs.
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Kathim
09-21-2006, 01:07 PM
Hi..........
I am not a Dr but have personal experience with it. First of all..you should go to a neurologist and he will rx the dose plan for you. Or your endrocrinloogist for diabetes if yours is diabetic neuropathy
I started out only being able to take 100mg at night........and then 100 mg every 12 hours...........then I upped it to 200 @ night and 200 in morning......
From my understanding it cant be taken as needed...it needs to be in system at levels all the time.....as not to create a siezure.
It controls my neuropathy good I am presently on 700 mg 3 times a day spaced evenly.
Please check with your DR
I am not a Dr but have personal experience with it. First of all..you should go to a neurologist and he will rx the dose plan for you. Or your endrocrinloogist for diabetes if yours is diabetic neuropathy
I started out only being able to take 100mg at night........and then 100 mg every 12 hours...........then I upped it to 200 @ night and 200 in morning......
From my understanding it cant be taken as needed...it needs to be in system at levels all the time.....as not to create a siezure.
It controls my neuropathy good I am presently on 700 mg 3 times a day spaced evenly.
Please check with your DR
JOANNLA
09-22-2006, 04:26 AM
I seem to remember my Dr telling me it could take a few days or even weeks to start to work,and then it needs to be taken continuously for it to work well.I take 600 mg at night and 300 in the morning.Maybe something like this would work for you.I had taken it in the past after Tarsal Tunnel surgery,it was 2400 mgs a day,that was wayyyy too much for me,I was like walking dead.So I was leary about trying it again.But my Pc Dr asked me to give it a try,so I did,and it helps.Lyrica is a new,improved version with less side effects,and is not available in generic.
joannla
joannla
julie-clark
09-22-2006, 06:41 PM
Thanks so much to the both of you for taking the time to reply. It is good to hear that it gets prescribed only twice a day and with a higher night time dose as this tells me that it doesnt have to remain at a constant level to work. I know 300 mg knocks me out at night and i have enjoyed a good week of actually sleeping thru the night. might not last forever but i will enjoy it as long as it lasts! thanks again!
SarahNina
09-22-2006, 11:08 PM
My neurologist told me that neurontin works best when taken 4 times a day.
Neurontin has a half life of 6 hrs, I believe. That means after 6 hours only 1/2 of the drug is in your system.
I hope this helps.
Neurontin has a half life of 6 hrs, I believe. That means after 6 hours only 1/2 of the drug is in your system.
I hope this helps.
SarahNina
09-22-2006, 11:09 PM
My neurologist told me that neurontin works best when taken 4 times a day.
Neurontin has a half life of 6 hrs, I believe. That means after 6 hours only 1/2 of the drug is in your system.
I hope this helps.
Neurontin has a half life of 6 hrs, I believe. That means after 6 hours only 1/2 of the drug is in your system.
I hope this helps.
Kathim
09-22-2006, 11:26 PM
Thanks for tha info.............yes...it does seem after 6 hours my neurontin coverage has decreased !! And I am only taking it 3 x day every 8 hours !!
Thanks for that info
Thanks for that info
lon126
09-25-2006, 02:41 PM
I have diabetic neuropathy now for 7 years, but I also have epilepsy for 36 years. I have been on neurontin for seizures before and all I did was sleep, my wife had to wake me up to eat, then I went back to bed, My neurologist took me off neurontin, this was about 8 years ago. I take 5 kind of seizure meds and neurontin is a seizure med to. When I found out that I had neuropathy the neurologist was going to put me on neurontin. This is a differant neurologist then I have for my seizure, he has a epilepsy clinic, he got me appointment with a neurologist for my neuropathy he was going to put me on neurontin until I told him. I wasn't taking neurontion and why, so he put me on pain meds. It doesn't do any good, I have days that I hurt so bad, I think I am to go crazy. I am happy to here that neurontin is helping some people. Take care God Bless You Lonnie i
Oceandivvr
10-02-2006, 01:59 AM
Hope someone can help with a question, it is difficult to get answers from the dr. who prescribed it for me as he is not a neurologist but my heart dr. and really is not so informed when it comes to my diabetic problems but tries to help anyway. I had gone to him for a prescription of Lyrica after reading it was prescribed for neuropathy but also worked for site pain with subq remodulin which is almost unbearable so i hoped it would help with both. He said Gabapentin was the same thing as Lyrica and wrote the script for that. I have taken it at night and wow, i actually sleep all night and dont wake with pain in my feet or my subq site. my problem is working to taking it 3 times a day. I havent found anywhere where someone just takes it as needed and i wonder if that is even possible? i cant function during the day if i am on it-will sleep all day and if i do get up youd think i was a stumbling drunk. has anyone ever just taken it as needed? my pain comes and goes so why do i need to take it three times a day? thanks for your help- i just am ignorant when it comes to this class of drugs.
Oceandivvr
10-02-2006, 02:23 AM
Hi Julie:
I have had peripheral neuropathy for 10 years and, while the medication I am taking was great in the beginning, it did come with some side effects, such as you have described. However, - you "should" develop a tolerance to those side effects (feeling drunk, stoned, zoned out, sleepy, .. etc.) - it takes a while. As for dosage, I have seen several neurologists and have been on some heavy duty stuff (amitryptilene & nortryptilene) that sent me into outer space - I would fall asleep at traffic lights, on the way to work and I could not drive, during the day, for more than an hour or so, before having to pull over and take a nap. For some reason though, I could drive all night in the dark. Bad Stuff, so stay away from those. Presently I am on Ultram (Tramadol) 150mg at bedtime and I take 4800mg (for real) of Gabapentin (Neurontin) - 6ea./800mg tablets per day with the pills taken as follows: 1 at 6:00am, 1 at 10:00am, 1 at 2:00pm, 1 at 4:00pm 2 at bedtime, along with the 150mg of Ultram.
I was taking 3000mg, increased to 4000 mg, then to 4800mg (tolerance level with no side effects "supposedly" is 5000mg/day). Obviously, I built up a tolerance to the lower levels and increased, eventually, to the max. That is a decision made between you and your Dr. Just remember, - YOU know how bad the pain is and you can ask for more, if you have to.
Neuropathy is a real pain in the A_s and there is no cure (yet), - just "bandaids" to try and cover it up. I have been to over 10 Neurologists, some of them being the best in the country, with my last option being the Mayo clinic. However, I have not gone there because, the way it was put to me by my present neurologist was: "If you don't believe me and you want a definitive opinion, I will give you a referall to the Mayo Clinic." That's a response that came from a man who is pretty damn sure of his diagnosis. Make sure you do the basics and have blood work done to check for every root possibility - after that, watch you sugar level - when it goes up, the pain goes up. I am diabetic, also, so I know.
Go to the Mayo Clinic website in Rochester, Minnesota and sign up for their newsletters. They "are" working on this but, it's a toughy and a cure is not coming in the very near future.
Sorry for the "Reality" version .... best of luck to you.
Paul
I have had peripheral neuropathy for 10 years and, while the medication I am taking was great in the beginning, it did come with some side effects, such as you have described. However, - you "should" develop a tolerance to those side effects (feeling drunk, stoned, zoned out, sleepy, .. etc.) - it takes a while. As for dosage, I have seen several neurologists and have been on some heavy duty stuff (amitryptilene & nortryptilene) that sent me into outer space - I would fall asleep at traffic lights, on the way to work and I could not drive, during the day, for more than an hour or so, before having to pull over and take a nap. For some reason though, I could drive all night in the dark. Bad Stuff, so stay away from those. Presently I am on Ultram (Tramadol) 150mg at bedtime and I take 4800mg (for real) of Gabapentin (Neurontin) - 6ea./800mg tablets per day with the pills taken as follows: 1 at 6:00am, 1 at 10:00am, 1 at 2:00pm, 1 at 4:00pm 2 at bedtime, along with the 150mg of Ultram.
I was taking 3000mg, increased to 4000 mg, then to 4800mg (tolerance level with no side effects "supposedly" is 5000mg/day). Obviously, I built up a tolerance to the lower levels and increased, eventually, to the max. That is a decision made between you and your Dr. Just remember, - YOU know how bad the pain is and you can ask for more, if you have to.
Neuropathy is a real pain in the A_s and there is no cure (yet), - just "bandaids" to try and cover it up. I have been to over 10 Neurologists, some of them being the best in the country, with my last option being the Mayo clinic. However, I have not gone there because, the way it was put to me by my present neurologist was: "If you don't believe me and you want a definitive opinion, I will give you a referall to the Mayo Clinic." That's a response that came from a man who is pretty damn sure of his diagnosis. Make sure you do the basics and have blood work done to check for every root possibility - after that, watch you sugar level - when it goes up, the pain goes up. I am diabetic, also, so I know.
Go to the Mayo Clinic website in Rochester, Minnesota and sign up for their newsletters. They "are" working on this but, it's a toughy and a cure is not coming in the very near future.
Sorry for the "Reality" version .... best of luck to you.
Paul
BH2004
10-14-2006, 01:41 PM
Idio small fiber here. Bad but sounds like you got me beat. Stay strong man.
De Yone
11-18-2006, 12:30 AM
Kathim: I read your post that you wrote about a year ago. Food Getting Stuck At The End Of Your Esophagus Before It Empties Into Your Stomach. Did you ever feel as though the food as it went down was scraping and you felt it in your Thoracic area (mid-back)? What did you find out about your symptoms? Was it scar tissue? Let me know because I have the same problem, except it has caused excruciating pain in my t 6/7 area of my back because of a build up of air that has to be belched out all the time for no reason, or just walking or sitting down or eating......I would appreciate anything helpful to remedy this problem. Thanks alot. I want to ask more questions about your taking Neurontin, but that will be another day, ok.
De Yone
De Yone
Kathim
11-18-2006, 07:09 PM
Hi there De Yonne.....
Yes...that post was a long time ago.....
I tried so many things but the DRs never really figured anything out and I refused to have another throat stretch done so after a lot of trial and error of different drugs I found that "aciphex" has releived the symptoms about 85%.....ONLY "ACIPHEX" my insurance hates paying for it but I finally got an approval but i still pay 68.00 per month for it.
Soooooooo........for right now...I am happy as the symptoms have pretty much resolved.
From your symptoms you have described have u asked your Dr about the possibility of a Hiatal hernia?????
By the way... I c u r in California..... me too.........where are u ????
Yes...that post was a long time ago.....
I tried so many things but the DRs never really figured anything out and I refused to have another throat stretch done so after a lot of trial and error of different drugs I found that "aciphex" has releived the symptoms about 85%.....ONLY "ACIPHEX" my insurance hates paying for it but I finally got an approval but i still pay 68.00 per month for it.
Soooooooo........for right now...I am happy as the symptoms have pretty much resolved.
From your symptoms you have described have u asked your Dr about the possibility of a Hiatal hernia?????
By the way... I c u r in California..... me too.........where are u ????
KissAmeGal
11-19-2006, 10:01 AM
Good Morning...........
I am taking Neurontin 3x's a day, 100mg ea. I just recently got up to that dose, about a week ago, prescribed by my rheumy. Neuro said that i am on a very low dosage, and i'll probably end up upping the dosage. I honestly think that you need to take it regularly in order to get results, it has to stay in your system. Infact, when i go for my EMG in a couple of weeks, gonna see if neuro can up the dosage for me. it seems to work, not in as much pain as before, but still have pain. I also take flexeril and mobic with the neurontin, & darvocet prn.
TC :wave:
I am taking Neurontin 3x's a day, 100mg ea. I just recently got up to that dose, about a week ago, prescribed by my rheumy. Neuro said that i am on a very low dosage, and i'll probably end up upping the dosage. I honestly think that you need to take it regularly in order to get results, it has to stay in your system. Infact, when i go for my EMG in a couple of weeks, gonna see if neuro can up the dosage for me. it seems to work, not in as much pain as before, but still have pain. I also take flexeril and mobic with the neurontin, & darvocet prn.
TC :wave:
Kathim
11-19-2006, 08:06 PM
Hi Kissamegal............
I am now on 600 mg 3 x day.........I started out at 100 mg and now up to this dose........it is working ok for me.
I am now on 600 mg 3 x day.........I started out at 100 mg and now up to this dose........it is working ok for me.
dahlek
11-20-2006, 09:38 AM
There are other meds beside Neurontin, Lyrica is one and is sort of a hybrid of neurontin but reportedly with fewer side effects. I do know if you 'web' up peripheral neuropathy medications you will probably find long lists of alternatives. If I recall correctly there are at least50 different meds.
I could not take neurontin, I'm now on another epileptic med for my neuropathy.
If you have this pain, are a diabetic and also have swallowing issues. It certainly couldn't hurt to get a neurogist's opinion. A neuro would be more savvy and up to date on pain meds that wouldn't interfere with your other medical issues. However, finding a GOOD neuro is another story! Many here will tell you that.
Hope this helps!
I could not take neurontin, I'm now on another epileptic med for my neuropathy.
If you have this pain, are a diabetic and also have swallowing issues. It certainly couldn't hurt to get a neurogist's opinion. A neuro would be more savvy and up to date on pain meds that wouldn't interfere with your other medical issues. However, finding a GOOD neuro is another story! Many here will tell you that.
Hope this helps!
De Yone
11-20-2006, 11:55 AM
Hi Kathim:
Yep, I'm in California... I live in Sonoma County by Santa Rosa. I see you're in Palm Desert. We're at opposite ends.
I'm glad you got your esophogas problem resolved with aciphex. Wow-68.00 a month, but if it works, you'd pay anything, ha? I take zantac, but my symptoms have gotten worse as time goes on with the pain in my back. Never had this pain before either. I sure don't know what they did during my gallbladder removal. I woke up with burning in my back. I might try aciphex. I'll talk to my Dr. Thanx
They found a herniated disk at t6/7 through an MRI. I never had this before either.
I'm going to a visceral massage therapist today. Maybe she will be able to work out scar tissue if I have some. I'm trying everything, like you.
Yep, I'm in California... I live in Sonoma County by Santa Rosa. I see you're in Palm Desert. We're at opposite ends.
I'm glad you got your esophogas problem resolved with aciphex. Wow-68.00 a month, but if it works, you'd pay anything, ha? I take zantac, but my symptoms have gotten worse as time goes on with the pain in my back. Never had this pain before either. I sure don't know what they did during my gallbladder removal. I woke up with burning in my back. I might try aciphex. I'll talk to my Dr. Thanx
They found a herniated disk at t6/7 through an MRI. I never had this before either.
I'm going to a visceral massage therapist today. Maybe she will be able to work out scar tissue if I have some. I'm trying everything, like you.