Question re: neurontin/nerve pain

dridobits · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2011, 10:31 PM

Underwear in the fridge? What? doesn't it go there?

cherylstewart67 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011, 06:41 PM

Gabapentin (spelling?) is the generic for Neurontin. It only helped me for about a year then we kept upping the does until I began to have vision issues! Also, it does make you gain weight as well with or without the munchies. I like to drink with my husband on the weekends, so Lyrica is out. They recently gave a Rx for Amitriptyline but it too has side effects with alcohol and sun exposure. The only two things left in this life that I can do or enjoy!

So I do not know what is next...Cheryl

dshobbies · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2011, 05:20 PM

Cheryl,

I have chosen to not take these drugs which did control the majority of my pain. The result is other meds to help me deal.

I take Celebrex daily and am very nervous as to its dangerous side effects. I have been taking it for almost 6 years now but every time I try to stop, the pain is just a little too intense. I often take muscle relaxers to help me sleep because sometimes I cannot find any comfortable position in bed. Then I also have just plain pain meds.

This is a trade-off. I can control my pain but lose control of my brain (and eyesight) or I deal on a day to day. Unfortunately, sacrafices are a way of life for most spineys. Each person must decide for themselves what they can and cannot live with/without. Then again, there are some of us that have few choices. As much as I hate living with pain, I'm still grateful that I'm so much better than 6 years ago.

Sounds to me like you have to deal with your pain directly and/or learn to live with it. Giving up your favorite things is too big of a sacrifice, IMHO.

Dale

Eddie G · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2011, 07:42 PM

I prefer Neurontin/gabapantin over Lyrica. Just a personal taste I guess. My sciatic nerve pain comes & goes.

cherylstewart67 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2011, 11:54 PM

Zipsor is supposed to go to the area of inflamtion only and then you urinate the rest out of your system. I got a sample yesterday and will let all know if it helps any...As for the muscle relaxant, Robaxin seems to have the least side effects. As for the nerve pain, I don't know what I will do....

Eastex · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2011, 11:11 PM

I tried Lyrica a few years ago and I was told that it was a major cause of my divorce. I was a "monster" on it. I think it was the stress of my constant pain on both of us and I do admit I had some severe mood changes.. I tried other nerve meds and I am back to Lyrica now. I have been on it for a year ( at a much higher dosage) and it seems to work better than before. Zipsor is one that I wish I could of took longer. United Healthcare didn't cover it after my sample ran out. I have also been on Fentanyl patch for about the same amount of time as the Lyrica. I think that this combination has helped me the most.

cherylstewart67 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-22-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eastex

I tried Lyrica a few years ago and I was told that it was a major cause of my divorce. I was a "monster" on it. I think it was the stress of my constant pain on both of us and I do admit I had some severe mood changes.. I tried other nerve meds and I am back to Lyrica now. I have been on it for a year ( at a much higher dosage) and it seems to work better than before. Zipsor is one that I wish I could of took longer. United Healthcare didn't cover it after my sample ran out. I have also been on Fentanyl patch for about the same amount of time as the Lyrica. I think that this combination has helped me the most.

i knew when the docotr gave me the sampple that translated to newer drug higher cost. i have health choice, so it's most likely not covered by them either.

jbcool35 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2011, 09:36 PM

Neither one of them touched my nerve pain and they both made me bedridden all day. Not for me. Others I know swear by them and function like they aren't taking anything. Funny, isn't it?

dridobits · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 08:01 AM

Has anyone been on this for nerve pain? This is what the doc put me on and although it does help me sleep and works as an antidepressant, it seems to do little for nerve pain? I've been on it close to three weeks now. If this doesn't work, I'll have to try the neurontin again.

I'm on so many drugs it's crazy! Going back to the surgeon on Monday to talk with him and get new xrays and have a pow wow about the nerve pain. I can handle regular head on pain but nerve pain makes me go out of my freaking mind.

Maria · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 01:58 PM

I took amytriptyline (Elavil) for 5 years post my second spine surgery for horrible burning nerve pain that was down my buttocks/bilat lower extremities. It took the edge off but didn't really do the trick like the Neurontin did altho the worst of the neuropathies sort of went away after 5 years post op and then I had remaining residual pain that I started the Neurontin for and took for 12 years before realizing this pain had "gone."

I agree this type of pain will drive one crazy.. it just gnawed at me constantly and really made life intolerable before getting it under control. The best combo of drugs that worked well for the pain actually was Neurontin and Methadone. Lumbar ESIs on regular basis helped with the low back pain and the burning to some degree. Tho that all wasn't instituted until 2001 and my last surgery that made the probs chronic (vs. episodic) was in '92.

Hope you get relief soon. So what if you have to use drugs to do it? If your pain is anything like mine was believe me it's well worth it.

dshobbies · #11 (**permalink**) 08-12-2011, 03:48 PM

I completely agree about nerve pain constantly gnawing at you. Accupuncture also help me more than anything else and I was shocked. My pm suggested it 18 months post op. The acupuncturist claimed that had I begun treatment at 6 months, treatment would have been more effective.

If I had to put a number on it, I'd say I improved 60-65% with acupuncture and was able to get off most drugs.

Not all practitioners are as qualified as they claim. Ask around if you want to give it a try.

Dale

marijo · #12 (**permalink**) 08-31-2011, 06:10 PM

I've been on Topamax and duragesic patches for a few years now. They stopped working, and I was reluctant to up the doses, so I am weaning myself off them. Right now I have been off topamax for a couple of weeks with just a few side effects. The duragesic is somewhat different. For a start I feel exhausted, and can't stop yawning. Mentally I am really flat. I'm just hoping this does not take too long, and that I will get through it. I've had two lumbar and one cervical surgery. I still have nerve pain on one side, (arm) and down legs. I guess its kind of chronic, and I will have to put up with it.