Is Neurotin Rotten?

[medic1]

I just got a script from my doctor to start taking Neurotin 300mg 3x a day. I have read posts that say it makes people tierd/fatigued/gain weight. I already have problems being tierd from my other meds so I assume it will only get worse. I have also had weight problems since my injury so I for sure do not need something else to add to it. I am not sure if I should start it or not. The neuro pain in legs is insane!!! I want it to ease off, but I also need to function. Any suggestions?

[Eileen]

Neurotin is good for nerve pain usually. Your dosage is mid-range, so I don't think you will have any of the problems you are worried about. For me the only negative of neurotin is that it sometimes upsets my stomach. Make sure you take it with food.

[jhorn4012]

My daughter takes neurotin 2,000 mg a day and has never said anything about being sleepy. The Zanaflex is what makes her sleepy and also helps control the spasms so she can get a good night sleep. I know sometimes she has severe nerve pain in her hand or her foot. I'm hoping the standing frame she is going to get will help her nerve/spasms situation. Then maybe her dr. will lower the dose on some of her meds. I'm looking into acupuncture for her pain management. At Project Walk they use acupuncture in their intense exercise program. I'm wondering what the benefits might be. Maybe Dr. Young can answer the question on acupuncture. This is a service covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield and it may even be covered by Medicaid.

[Danine]

I don't think Neurontin's rotten. I used to take 1800 mgs/day. I take 1200 now. I still have nerve pain with the 1200 mgs, but at least it takes the edge off of things. It is somewhat sedating, but I have other neurological problems that can cause severe fatigue so it's hard to tell how much fatigue comes from the med. and how much comes from other causes. My weight has been fairly stable while on the medication--no significant gain or loss. I have noticed some problems with word recall/retrieval, but again, I'm not sure that I can blame this on the medication.

One doctor also recommended I try Topamax. It supposedly helps with weight loss, but I've heard that the memory problems can be worse with Topamax than with Neurontin. It's also quite expensive and my insurance sucks so I decided not to try it.

[David Berg]

Some people can handle Neurontin, others can't. I've seen a number of people go well above 3600/day if that's what it takes and they can tolerate it, but obviously it takes awhile to work up to those levels. Many people report that the worst of the side-effect taper off some after the first few weeks. I suggest you go to the Pfiser website and look up the detailed info on Neurontin so you can be an informed consumer....it's a serious drug. It's a godsend for a lot of people, but it can have some consequences.

It's also common to use it together with something like a tricyclic antidepressant, like Elavil.

BTW, have you tried TENS?

[medic1]

I have not tried tens but would be willing to so i dont have to take another pill. Maybe I will try them...Is there any reason not to try the tens?

[Seenkid101]

I take 300 3 X's a day. I haven't seen any changes but sometimes i still get nerve pain in my legs and sometimes my butt. I ran out once and couldn't get it refilled until monday and my legs kept me up all night. I would suggest it because it really helps me but everyone is different.

[jccarolina]

I'm fixin to come off Neurontin and go on Tegradol. The Neurontin never seemed to work for me. Topamax is great but dam*, at 100mg TID thats upwards of $450.00 for a 1 mo. supply, which is BS (I hit my gap in April). I don't have much faith in acupuncture. It's kinda like hypnotism, ya got to believe in it for it to work.

[David Berg]

Maybe I will try them...Is there any reason not to try the tens?
Generally it's fine, but in the interest of full-disclosure I should tell you i know of one person who felt like it set off worse pain for awhile. That's a single account out of many people. You can start with a low signal, where you don't even feel it, and turn it up to what you're comfortable with and give it a shot. If you dig around there are some decent units online for much less than the typical med supplier. I have one I bought for about $50 online a few years ago. You can experiement with pad placement and even pad size.

[Danine]

Just a comment about TENS. I have a TENS unit that works really well for the "aching" kind of pain I have in my back. However, it doesn't help with the fiery/pins and needles/cold and hot sensations I have in my legs and feet. Neurontin really helps keep the "weird stuff" under control.

[jhorn4012]

thank you David for the info. No she has never taken TENS?
I'll checkout Pfiser website.

Some people can handle Neurontin, others can't. I've seen a number of people go well above 3600/day if that's what it takes and they can tolerate it, but obviously it takes awhile to work up to those levels. Many people report that the worst of the side-effect taper off some after the first few weeks. I suggest you go to the Pfiser website and look up the detailed info on Neurontin so you can be an informed consumer....it's a serious drug. It's a godsend for a lot of people, but it can have some consequences.

It's also common to use it together with something like a tricyclic antidepressant, like Elavil.

BTW, have you tried TENS?

[medic1]

I have an E-stim unit for my back. Would this work the same for my legs? or are the two different?