Neurontin - Neuropathy Message Board

emjsmith · 03-11-2004, 02:14 PM

Hello, I was reading some of the posts on Neurontin and was wondering if there is anyone who has been on it or is on it with good results? My Doctor just put me on it three days ago and after reading some of the posts I am worried about taking it. So if there is anyone who has had good results please let me know if you could. I would appreciate it so much!!! Thanks for taking the time to read and post.

momofsix · 03-11-2004, 04:56 PM

I just saw a neurologist this week who told us there is no hard clinical evidence that neurontin does anything for nerve pain. He said, unfortunately, these drugs get a "following" among a group of doctors, and everyone sort of blindly follows along. It is the "in" drug at the moment with no evidence it helps at all. Certainly that was my experience. It was a terrible drug for side effects and didn't help in the least.

riceneuroni · 03-14-2004, 06:01 AM

Hold on now, NOT true about Neurontin! That drug was a life saver for me. When I was first came down with severely painful neuropathy I was put on Neurontin and it kept the pain at bay in direct proportion to how much I took. I did NOT have the side effects others have had with it such as weight gain. The drug was a miracle drug for me and I had NO SIDE EFFECTS -- NONE -- but I also didn't try to be pain free and take too much. I was content with using a wheelchair and having the medication keep the pain from running out of control. I could tolerate 600 to 900 mg/day well. That's a lot less than most folks say they are trying. I stayed on it for 18 months before I recovered. This drug is helping a lot of people, but like everything else, complainers are the most vocal. Everyone is different and will react differently to drugs. If this one doesn't work, try something else.

P.S. Wonder no further how I came up with the name Riceneuroni

daubie · 03-14-2004, 06:40 PM

I've been on N for about 2 months. It has helped me, and I also have not had bad side effects. At first (each time I uped the dose) I would feel a little scatterbrained and forgetful, but it only lasted a couple days. I take 900 mg a day for foot pain related to a herniated disc. I feel it has helped a lot. So, that's my experience. If I were you, I'd try it and see. Good luck! BYW, I have not gained or lost any weight with it (I know that was a concern of mine). Take care, ~Daubie

Jennie Coburn · 03-15-2004, 04:26 AM

---I have a severe scoliosis and 2 herniated disks and 4 bulging. I was having back discomfort and difficulty walking but nothing I could not tolerate. One morning woke with severe numbness and tingling in hip, lower leg, ankle & foot. Foot and ankle felt like walking on broken glass and the foot had the "tight sock" feeling.
---One of the disks was pressing on the sciatic nerve and maybe other nerves as well. I Was in a great deal of pain. My GP prescribed Neurontin and because of it's description, I didn't take it. Referred to a physiatrist and the first thing she asked was why I was not taking the Neurontin as she felt sure it would help me. I started 300 MGs in morning and 300MGs at bedtime. I can take up to 900 MGs a day, but have not needed to. (Sometimes I take one in the middle of the day, but that is when the weather is changing or I have done more work than I should.) Along with the 300 MG Neurontin I take Vicodin and had immediate good results. That was 2 yrs ago. Nothing has changed as far as the back, disks and nerves, but I am no longer in acute pain unless I do not take the Neurontin. I can always tell when I am late taking it as the crepitious and tight sock feeling start coming back. I still have some pain and discomfort but nothing I can't tolerate with stretching exercises, etc.
My understanding is that Neurontin was only approved for Nerve Pain and some forms of epilepsy, nothing else. The problem seems to be that it is sometimes expected to relieve other symptomes bothering people.
So, it works for me; I hope it will do so for you, if you decide to take it.
Best Wishes,
Jen.........PS/ If you take Neurontin or Vicodin, you MUST EAT something substancial before or immediately after taking. I have accidentally taken it without eating and believe me, that is NOT something you want to do. Also, do not take any pain killers,like Aspirin, Ibuprophen, Vicodine (Prescription med), etc. when taking Neurontin unless your doctor prescribes it to expressly be taken with Neurontin. If you are unsure if something is okay to take, call your doc and get his approval first.