canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Woke up this morning super nausea, dizzy, and light-headed.
I could be wrong - but I think it's from Gabapentin (which I just started)
I did also start Primal Defense earlier in evening.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Neurontin (Gabapentin) sure did ALL that to me, too. Several tries over times. Even tiny dose. My muscles also turned to jell-o - I had no control or strength.
I even had a homeopathic made from it. Got the same results.
You've started at a rather high dose, maybe cut that down to 25 mg (yes, twenty-five). Only very gradually increase when side-effects are not the result.
If you happen to take Ibuprofen, that could interact. Ibuprofen can be hard on the kidneys as it constricts blood flow and that can affect kidney function. Gabapentin requires the kidneys to metabolize.
Primal Defense - probiotics? That would not have the side-effects you describe.
Those side effects are noted for Gabapentin. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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lightfoot
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
I was on high doses and it's addictive. I had withdrawal when I came off of it. I quit because I read some very negative studies on it AND I don't think it helped at all. I was on it for about two years.
-------------------- Healing Smiles.....lightfoot Posts: 7228 | From CO | Registered: May 2002
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
Thanks for help guys. I've only been on it for 5 days. Maybe I should consider backing off of it slowly?
I went to 300mg (from 150mg) last night.
Could I go back down to 150 tonight? I won't be able to talk to Doctor until Monday.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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It was hard for me to cope while taking that stuff.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
One thing it did do for me was put me in deep sleep.
But the side effects are I'm unbearable.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
I have been interested in this "anti-seizure" drug because some jackass doctor put my mother on it about a year ago, and ever since, she sometimes has trouble "slurring" her words, or being unable to find words. .(She's had Lyme for over 10 yrs, but these were new symptoms!)
She also suddenly "needed" orthopedic Granny shoes. Dizziness and imbalance is also a potential side-effect!
I always find the USER REVIEWS (found at the bottom of the title page) to be far more informative than anything listed in the "side effects" drop down.
There are 1127 user reviews for this drug, but you can "filter" the reviews for the condition for which it has been recommended, which is a drop-down box.
Ellen101
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Member # 35432
posted
I use it just at bedtime. My LLNP had me work up very gradually to 600mg. She said I could use 600mg 3x/day, but I cannot take it during the day and still function. You have to go up very gradually with it so your body can adjust.
Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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canefan17
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Member # 22149
posted
Ellen,
I just don't like how it's making me feel. On top of the dizzy, nausea, jello muscles... I've had some heart palps today. Ugh
I can't imagine trying to ween off of higher doses.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Why are you taking it, then?
Whatever reason can probably be managed in other ways. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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desertwind
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posted
I take it when my ON is acting up and all else fails.
I tried taking it on a daily basis but it was too tough for me.
When I did take it every day I started out at 100mgs / at night and every 7 days would increase 100mgs.s till I reached 300 mgs.
300 mg.'s is still a very small dosage. Therapeutic dosage is somewhere areound 3200/3500 mg.s.
I take it PRN now and typically 200 mg.s does take the edge off.
Posts: 1671 | From Tick Infested New Jersey | Registered: Apr 2010
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AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Frankly, this is an anti-seizure med which is prescribed "off label" for nerve pain, and sometimes, insomnia. I think Lyme patients have enough going on in their brains without anesthetizing them to boot.
If you tell your doctor you want "off" he/she will likely say "stick with it for a couple of weeks, it will probably get better." I've seen this over and over again in the webmed drug review threads. Then, you're hooked - and you'll have a major problem getting off of it.
Unless it is gives you some major relief (as it apparently helps people with severe nerve damage/pain), I would quit while you're ahead.
[ 05-11-2012, 08:12 PM: Message edited by: AuntyLynn ]
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
AuntLynn
It'd still be advised to ween off it, right? Even at 300mg per day?
(and yes people I will be talking to my LLMD)
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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Ellen101
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posted
It can be a lifesaver for those with nerve pain. Regular pain meds are ineffective againsy most nerve pains especially trigeminal neuralgia.
Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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AuntyLynn
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posted
Canefan17 - YES - Wean - If you notice in the webmd pages one of them advises "do not stop taking this drug, consult your doctor."
On the other hand, you say you haven't been on it that long, and that you are not yet taking what most would consider to be a "therapeutic" dose.
So, let me make this VERY CLEAR - I am NOT a health care professional.
But I have had experience with nicotine withdrawal (which some say is more addictive than cocaine), and I have known people who have taken "recreational" drugs ...Who MIGHT tell you that you can go "cold turkey" IF you are PREPARED to deal with the consequences. A fast and HARD detox, or a more drawn-out one that's a little less "rock and roll." Only you can gage how you feel about this.
It's simple biochemistry. The sooner you stop taking a toxin, the sooner your body can get rid of it.
Lots of liquids and fresh fruit, vitamin C, and "light" foods (eggs vs. meat)for a few days, might help speed the process, whether you wean, or bite the bullet. But again, it's your body, and no one else can gage your level of discomfort, or your tolerance for same.
[ 05-13-2012, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: AuntyLynn ]
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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AuntyLynn
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Member # 35938
posted
And as Keebler so aptly pointed out, there are other ways to deal with insomnia.
For my own perimenopausal insomnia (with night sweats), a little topical bio-identical estriol cream, finally did the trick.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Trying to cover various reasons that gabapentin may be used:
And, of course - first and foremost - treating the CAUSE: lyme &/or other stealth infection, parasites, heavy metals, deficiencies, etc. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I take Gabby 300 mg 3X per day for the nerve pain in my right ankle/foot neuropathy due to diabetes.
Since starting it I am able to go to sleep at night as before Gabby I would have to sit up and wait until the burning and twitching in my R foot stopped - and that was with my dr. prescribed pain meds. Aunty you are correct about the addictiveness of tobacco. Having worked in the D&A field there is a chemical that is created in the brain that never, never goes away. It is also the same chemical that keeps alcoholics addicted.
I'll come back later with a different post about that chemical.
-------------------- I have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 665 | From Lost Wages, NV | Registered: May 2006
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AuntyLynn
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Member # 35938
posted
Canefan17 - Last night I was thinking about desertwind's comment - how GABY was "ramped up" 100 mg at a time at intervals of 7 days.
Following that course in reverse might be the recommended way to step down.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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AuntyLynn
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posted
TXCoord -
I will look forward to your comments about the brain chemical and nicotine; and perhaps feel a bit better about the fact that I threw in the towel on that battle long ago.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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AuntyLynn
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posted
EX DRUG REP tells why she made the "ethical" decision to leave the industry ... as a result of first-hand experience with her own products!
lightfoot
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Member # 2536
posted
I took it at 600 mg for about two years. Had withdrawal when I gradually waned off....glad I did. Not even sure it ever helped sleep OR nerve pain.
http://ehealthforum.com/health/topic110102.html Gabapentin Withdrawal Syndrome I had full gabapentin withdrawal syndrome after taking only 200 mg a day for 6 weeks for nerve pain related to an accident. It was horrible - shaking, anxiety, migraines, extreme weakness (I needed help just to get out of bed), insomnia, weird feelings on one side of my head, and nausea that lasted 2 weeks. I was on no other medication and had no previous health issues. My friends took me to the hospital because they feared I would have a seizure. Everything came out normal and the most the docs could do was give me nausea meds and lithium for the anxiety. The worse was over after two weeks, but I continued to suffer migraines 1-2xs a month, memory loss, and severe insomonia for 1 year afterward.
You are wrong that continuing symptoms have no relation to Neurontin. Neurontin changes your brain chemistry, and it can take months for your brain to go back to normal. After reading medical journals on this subject, I found that 85% of people suffering Gabapentin withdrawal syndromes will have their symptoms resolve after a year, but for the remaining 15%, it could take up to 5 years. For a tiny percentage of these, the side effects could be permanent.
Do your homework - Neurontin is a very dangerous drug. People need to be informed, so that they can make an informed choice about whether the risks are worth it to them. For me, it was a year of hell.
posted
I see I'm the minority in this post... but i LOVE my gabapentin. My peripheral neuropathy and atypical trigeminal neuropathy are bearable while I am on it. I would be a mess with out it. Probably in bed and unable to work.
I do wonder if it has caused weight gain, but the benefits I get from it far outweigh any side effectes I have.
-------------------- I have Lyme - but it doesn't have me. Posts: 70 | From ohio | Registered: Sep 2011
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AuntyLynn
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posted
lightfoot -
Thanks so much for sharing your story - and the links! Yes, my Mom never had a problem with balance or walking (a year ago, she used to do 20 fast walking laps around her courtyard every morning), now she is in Orthopedic shoes and occasionally reaches out to people around her to "steady" herself. She also stopped wearing her glasses and I suspect she has "double vision" - whether from the Lyme or the drugs is hard to say.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
I took 300mg before bed to ease the numbness and tingling which occasionally kept me up at night. It helped me sleep a little at first but decided to get off the stuff once the tingling subsided. It was one less thing to put in my body.
Posts: 199 | From Let's Go Pens! | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
I took 300mg before bed to ease the numbness and tingling which occasionally kept me up at night. It helped me sleep a little at first but decided to get off the stuff once the tingling subsided. It was one less thing to put in my body.
Posts: 199 | From Let's Go Pens! | Registered: Apr 2010
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Ellen101
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posted
I use 6oomg at bedtime some nights for nerve pain. I don't have any problems on it and can skip nights etc.
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