Karen this is the med the doc put me on
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive February 2004:
Karen this is the med the doc put me on
I have been meaning to write you.
The med is called Neurontin
it also says common name is Gabapentin
He is starting me out at 100 mg 3 times a day for 1 week. then next week 2 pills 3 times a day and I am to keep buiding up the dose until I get to the full mg he says should be 1,500- 2000 mg
he said he is doing it this way because this med can make you very sleepy and sometimes when your body slowly gets used to it it may not make you as sleepy. I do have a question for you if you dont mind. When you had sciatic pain was it always only in one leg? Most of the tme mine is all on my left side, but sometimes like today when I am on my feet alot and very busy I feel it in the other leg to. I am still having arm and neck pain. To tell you the truth I don't thing my disc problem has got all better yet in my neck.
Thanks for your help and advice. It really does mean alot to me.
Neurontin is a very common pain medication for neurological problems - which is what you've got. People take it for different reasons and different kinds of pain.
As for the sciatica, if there is any kind of a problem with something putting pressure on the nerves, it is not unreasonable to believe that sometimes the pressure will shift to the other side, depending on your stance, muscle strain, etc.
Once you get the pain under control, do talk to your doc about physical therapy to train you in safe, reliable and easy to do home exercises appropriate for your neck and lower back.
I am strating therapy in this new docs office in 3 weeks. I am already doing home exercises.
Have not noticed it helping yet. They just do not know why I am having this. I still think it has something to do with my neck. They say no or that its a VERY slight chance. It all started around the same time. I am just sick of it. I pray I get better before summer.
Trisa, Neurontin was originally approved for use as an anti-seizure drug. Docs love it now for nerve pain, but it does have a lot of side effects. And, depending on how much they build your dosage up, it IS possible to become toxic - it happened to me. My neurosurgeon had me on over 2000 mg a day and I had to stop taking it. It also has sexual side effects for many, but there are many who have fantastic results with it for nerve pain control. I just can't take that particular drug.
I have sciatica and the pain I have can be on either side, or both sides at once. So many things will irritate that, among them are twisting or turning, bending/lifting, simple things liks mopping or sweeping (which, as far as your back is concerned, aren't actually such *simple* things afterall!). When I go shopping or, for example, to parades, concerts, etc., I NEVER carry a purse on my shoulder, because that causes you to have a shift in weight on one side of your body and will certainly put strain on neck and back muscles or joints. I always use a small backback or fanny pack so the weight is evenly distributed and it makes a HUGE difference.
I hope the Neurontin works for you. And hope I didn't alarm you about side effects, but like any med, they are there. The success of this med will depend on how your own body adjusts to it.
What do you mean by toxic?
As far a sexual side effects. I am in so much pain my hubby is used to that!! lol
Man it hurts to just walk let alone have great sex with my hubby. The poor guy! I am just so sick of this. Thanks for the tips. Yes mopping and cleaning kill me. It makes the pain so much worse. If I am sitting on the couch and prop up my leg with a pillow it makes it feel alot better. But who has time to sit around all day??
I took Neurontin for 4 years. It was a miracle drug for me. I had/have neuropathy. I started off on the low the dose and then increased to about 400 or 500? (I am drawing a blank.) It did make me sleepy at first, but I took it at bedtime. I actually liked it cause I slept better than I had in years.
I have fibro and took N also. It did not work for me. Funny how it works differently for different people.
Trisa, *toxic* was when I couldn't think or see clearly on this med.
Trisa, *toxic* was when I couldn't think or see clearly on this med.
I used to have a similiar problem. Terribe mind numbing sciatica for five years. numbness in one finger. Neck pain on right.
I went and got rolfed by a rolfer and it all cleared up. Wish I had know about it 12 years earlier because I wouldn't have had to suffer for 12 or so years.
Feona please tell me about this. I am confused.
Thanks!
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