Anyone else taking NEURONTIN? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

funchick · 06-05-2003, 07:53 AM

Hello again to all.

Is anyone else taking NEURONTIN? Can anyone tell me what to expect....side effects, results, or whateveryou can share would be helpful. Also, does anyone know what the standard dose is?

Thanks-ya'll are the best!

KeithEugeneW · 06-05-2003, 10:38 AM

Hi Funchick, (Got to love that username)

You didn't used to go by PT Chick previously and know a guy named Bruce (BWL) did you? Pardon my poor attempt at some inside humor for the board members here...

I just replied to your other thread on this topic, it should answer what you were looking for (most of it). As far as dosage, they started me at 100mg 3 times daily or 8 days, then 200mg 3 times daily for 8 days, etc until I was at 400mg 3 times daily (1200mg/day). I was at that level for about 4 months and then my pain started coming back along with migraines, so they shot me up to 1600mg daily, which didn't do it, so they went to 2000mg daily. That did it, but man did I feel like a zombie! I finally cried Uncle and now I'm on Topamax and Ultracet instead. I was supposed to take one 25mg Topamax at night for a week, then add one more pill the following week, etc until I was taking 4 pills a night. I decided to stick with one pill. I was also supposed to take one 325mg Ultracet pill 4 times daily. I only take them when I need them instead. I see my new pain mgmt doctor tomorrow to discuss where I am now and get his feel on things. I know I feel better in general than I did (energy wise), although my pain level is up a bit. I hope you get relief and feel better!!
Keith

franjo · 06-05-2003, 10:55 AM

FunChick~

I was taking Neurontin for a short, two week stint. I didn't like the way it made me feel....underwater and, like Keith said, zombie-like. But I didn't really give my body much of a chance to adjust. They say that you do adjust to those affects over time.

I also stopped taking it because my bad pain is not constant. I needed something more geared to intermittent pain. The neurontin did help with my spasms, but didn't touch the pain. I have a small son to care for, and under the side effects, I felt I didn't have the edge that I needed to watch him effectively.

Neurontin works great for a lot of people, I just wasn't one of them. This drug requires that you be weaned on and off of it. Too much too soon will put the whammy on you. So follow the doctor's dosages and times carefully. I hope this is what works for you. Just be prepared to feel a little "out of sorts" at first.

Take Care,

~Teri

magtize · 06-05-2003, 11:22 AM

Funchick
I too am on Neurontin 300 mg.PM STARTED ME WITH 2 CAPS A DAY It made me so dizzy couldn't stand up, needed to hold on to something to walk. Was also told it take time to get used to it but after a week of being a very dizzy zombie I called Dr and he changed it to once a day

I have also read that it wasn't as effective on cervies.Guess everyone is differant.

Hope you do well with yours

Elaine

melanie dawn · 06-05-2003, 11:29 AM

Hi Funchick,
Well I tried the neurontin, it was a no go for me. Dizzy, thick headed and disoriented on it. However the Docs at CINN told me that for an unknown reason, cervies do not tolerate neurontin well and have the most side effects from it. They suggested Topamax there, but no go, I have a sulpha allergy. They put me on Tegretol, similar drug class , anti siezure drug. Unfortunatly, i got really dizzy on that also. My best advice is to take it as ordered, do not drive etc, until you are sure how it will affect you.ANd let you Dr. know how you are doing on it.You probably need to give it a chance for a week or so to know. Unless the side effects are severe. We all react a little differently.
Good luck , I hope it works for you. For people who can take it , it seems to provide alot of relief.
Mel