posted
My brother-in-law went to see Dr. P in WV recently and was ordered to get some blood work done, presumably through Igenex. In the meantime, she prescribed Gabapentin for his brain fog. Does this sound right?
My brother-in-law told me that she seems to be very nice and spent about two hours with him. But some of the things she said alarms me.
When asking about if Lyme can be cogenitally transmitted, she was alarmed and mentioned something about she would be afraid to make comments because she has other colleague in the same practice.
If anyone has any experience with Dr. P, please PM me.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I don't know Dr P but Gabapentin is for nerve pain as far as I know - and it works well for that. I took it for a long time and it was the only thing that relieved my pain. I don't recall it helping my fog. Maybe it does.
-------------------- Sofi Posts: 150 | From Northern California | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
My brother-in-law reports that he felt sick all over (flu like, he describes) only an hour after he took the first dose. It has been 4 or 5 days now and he is not gettign any better.
he called the doctor to ask if he could stop the med, and has not yet heard back.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
Gabapentin, which I use for nerve pain, actually gives me brain fog. I'm at a low dose of 100mg.
Some people tolerate it well even at higher doses.
Maybe your BILaw, misinterpreted the doc, since he has "brain fog"
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Some people are helped with nerve pain - I have never heard of it Rx'd to help brain fog? Can imagine it would make things worse! -p
Posts: 641 | From So. CA | Registered: May 2008
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
I agree with dmc and Peedie - if anything, it will probably CAUSE brain fog.... and the blurred vision happened to me, too. Never had the flu-like symptoms..... are you sure it's gabapentin?
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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Yes, I read the bottle of his med and it is gabapentin. He takes 100mgx3 a day. Whatever his side effect is, it sounds like that's the opposite he needs.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I got the doctor's name from the Lyme Disease Association but I am not sure if she is ILDAS educated.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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Cass A
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11134
posted
Neurontin is a drug that has been widely promoted for "off-label" uses--meaning uses that are not approved by the FDA.
The original maker has been successfully sued over this, as the methods used violate Federal law.
The motive--PROFIT OVER PATIENTS!!!
Neuronin became a block-buster $$$$$$$$$$$ maker, due to the illegal advertizing that promoted it for just about every "neurologic" symptom that had no definitive cause.
I would get off that stuff as soon as possible!!
It has horrific adverse effects.
Best,
Cass A
Posts: 1245 | From Thousand Oaks, CA | Registered: Feb 2007
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
This doesn't sound like the best LLMD. It's much further, but there's Dr. J in SC---very well-known.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Sounds like the concensus is that this med will ease some pain, but make brain fog worse for most. I will pass the info. and let him decide what he needs more.
Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
That entire classification of drugs, originally anti-convulsives, is now prescribed for nerve pain and for "RA or fibromyalgia pain". They work for some, but are known to have increased tiredness, brain fog, and moderate to severe weight gain. Personally, not enough of my pain is nerve pain, to be worth the tradeoff.
I would not advise neurontin/lyrica or any of those drugs for most lyme patients that have a problem with fatigue, brainfog and other common symptoms.
Posts: 690 | From East coast, USA | Registered: Jun 2006
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
I started taking gabapentin which was prescribed by my primary doctor.
I am sleeping through the night now for the most part.
AFter going a decade or more of not being able to sleep this is big for me and I feel much better for my health.
I also am finding I am able to be a bit more active which is also a good thing for me.
ON the negative, I am concerned about the weight gain but not enough to want to stop the gabapentin and go back to not sleeping and being a couch potatoe.
I also am able to do a bit of the household chores but still have a ways to go before I am constantly able to take care of things around the house.
I asked my lyme doctor's assistant about how she felt about gabapentin.
She said that they use it also with their lyme patients.
I would suggest he try it. If it doesn't work out he can always back off of it.
Hopefully others will contact you about the doctor. Also, hoping your brother in law will start posting himself.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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quote:Originally posted by kam: Hopefully others will contact you about the doctor. Also, hoping your brother in law will start posting himself.
That's a good thought, only I have so far set up computer and internet connections for him 5 times, and he is not particularly close to me, you know? 2 hours drive.
He just called to ask what his password is to log on to his internet. So I think it is going to be a while before he figures out where this site is and, again, how to log in and post.
I am amazed with the "brain fog"...What actually happens there? Posts: 822 | From midwest | Registered: Apr 2009
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
WTL..I too use to wonder how the gabapentin worked.
But, then I take excedrin and they still don't know how that works to help but it does so I stopped wondering.
At this point, I am just thankful for something that helps and the down size is not a deal breaker for me.
I understand about just being able to communicate whatever way you can at this time. It is good he is able to be on the phone.
I still have trouble with that both processing wise and due to weak arms...I use a headset.
I can't imagine trying to use a computer for the first time and having lyme too!!
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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