I've been prescribed this med for pain, but haven't taken it yet. I'm always nervous about starting new meds and scared what kind of side effects I'll have.
I really could use some relief in the burning in my feet.
For those of you that take this or have taken it, did it work? What kind of side effects did it have??
Thank you!
Posted by AnnaL (Member # 18464) on :
This really works for neuropathic pain. Both my mother and I have taken it, though for different reasons. (Me=Lyme; her=post-polio syndrome.)
Her side effects are mainly sleepiness. (She reacts *very* strongly to all medications.)
My side effects are very minimal at this point. The first week I took it, I was kind of spaced out and less coordinated than usual. The first day or two, I was uncomfortable with the idea of driving because of the effects.
These effects faded fairly quickly.
Now, at the dose I'm taking (300mg), I don't notice any adverse effects.
If you are taking a higher dose, or if your doctor has you "ramping up" to a higher dose (start at X, then go to X+1, then go to X+2), you might want to go a little slow on the ramping up, particularly if you have any side effects from the lowest dose.
-AnnaL
Posted by psr1 (Member # 22957) on :
I started taking Neurontin for terrible pains in my back and hips. It works well: I adjusted to it quickly ( a bit of sleepiness that went away.) You can go from 100 mg to 3600 mg a day (if the pain gets really bad.) I thought this was a very good drug, which has the added benefit of not being metabolized through the liver - spares it.
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
My dr has prescribe 300 mg up to 3x daily. She told me to start at 1 and take it at night. Maybe I'll try it. Is 300 the lowest dose? I'm really sensitive to meds too, so a bit hesitant.
Thanks for your help.
Posted by psr1 (Member # 22957) on :
I am really sensitive too. I started out on 300 mg 3/day (900 in all) and have worked my way up from that. So try the 1 and see: but I would not be afraid to go up quickly if you do not see the 1. My dear and trusted PCP has said that for nerve pain you can go way up: 3600 a day. Hope you won't need that much.
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
100mg is the lowest dose. The most I ever took is 2oomg at night and I'm still loopy until noon.
Lyrica actually works better for the nerve, burning pain for me. I couldn't get past the lowest dose of 30mg.
I was too loopy even after 2weeks at that level.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Even though they are similar, I couldn't take Neurontin but was fine with Lyrica. Neurontin made me feel depressed and Lyrica didn't.
Lyrica did help to dull the pain, and the only side effect was feeling spacey.
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
If I'm feeling brave I may give it a try tonight. Feeling like crap today... muscle twitches, dizzy, brain fog, SO weak, and muscles feel stiff and tired.
I'm desperate for some symptom relief.
Posted by psr1 (Member # 22957) on :
Don't be afraid. You might notice a difference really quickly - in an hour or so.
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
Okay so I took it around 7 last night. Went to bed around 930 with no sleepiness or etc.. Well last night I slept really good! I actually had dreams and remembered them! Can't tell if it's helped with the pain as I woke up and my feet hurt SO bad...Guess I'll keep taking it! Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Friends,
Neurontin has the very worst record for off-label prescribing that harmed people.
The maker was heavily fined, as the drug was being prescribed over 94% for uses not approved by the FDA.
It had a HUGE profit--in the billions.
Please look very carefully into the potential adverse effects.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by psr1 (Member # 22957) on :
So what do peopel take for pain???I am having a reaction to Tramadol (Can't take it) so what else is there?
Posted by ESG (Member # 4816) on :
A Lyme friend is on Neurontin & has been for yrs. and she swears by it: she would not be functioning without it.
I started Lyrica 6 weeks ago, remaining on 50 mg 2 X. It has helped.
I think there comes a time when you have to decide between side-effect possibilities and your own quality of life.
Pfizer was also fined for "off label " advertising of Lyrica. That doesn't mean they are criminal, it only means it was not FDA approved for other uses. I don't put much trust in our FDA anyway; I do trust my doctor.
Again, do your own research, talk to your doctor, decide what you need now in your life.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
My regular GP, not my LLMD, told me that you have to take Neurontin or Lyrica for a few weeks before you get the full effect from it for the pain.
This is the way it worked for me (Lyrica). I took 75mg 3x a day. I was pretty high! Maybe that helped too at the time.
As my pain improved, I got really tired of feeling spaced out all the time, and ended up just taking it at night.
Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get some relief. If you can get a little relief from at least one symptom, then it helps you deal with the illness a little better.
You won't be on meds like this forever. I am not on any pain meds now. My pain level has gone down and I don't need it anymore.
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
Well I took It again last night 300mg. Again slept better and woke up feeling more refreshed. Can't say I notice a difference in the pain/neuorpathy. But I will keep taking it. NO side effects yet, so I may up my dose. My dr prescribed 3 per day as needed.
I'm praying this helps!
Posted by Skyler (Member # 11549) on :
I took it, and it made things worse (but only while I took it). No lasting problems.
Posted by psr1 (Member # 22957) on :
I am now doing the Neurontin (at a much lower dose because my herx is, than God, easing up) in combination with Elevil - an olde generation antidepressant that has been found to be effective in combo with the Neurontin. Ask your LLMD about this. The Elevil helps with sleep - and also with anxiety - so it works pretty well.
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
Oh I tried Elavil and it knocked me on my butt! Very loopy and spaced out. I actually couldn't sleep on it. Just made me feel weird. Is it strange that I have NO side effects from the Neurontin?
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