Posted by dove on August 4, 2001, at 12:37:33
In reply to Re: Neurontin » Annabelle, posted by Survivor on August 4, 2001, at 7:12:02
Hello Survivor!
My Mom just finished a bout with Chemo and Radiation, so I can sympathize with your hesitation to start a new med, especially since you've been in so much pain for so long.
Neurontin (tradename: gapapentin) is a very smooth drug, it doesn't (at least not on anyone I know) suddenly hit you like a hammer or anything of that sort. Neurontin is proving to be a diverse drug in its effects. It has and is now being used to treat the pain associated with outbreaks of "Shingles". I know of two people who have used it, and they rate the pain of Shingles as a 10+ on a 1-10 scale, and it has helped them immensely! It is also used for people suffering from debilitating migraines with some success. I have taken up to 2,400 mgs, and my Doc has given me a choice to stay between 1,200 and 2,400 mgs per day, depending on how I feel.
Neurontin is considered a anti-anxiety med (off-the-label as of yet I believe.). It is also used for panic attack and depression sufferers (I am one, as well as a panic attack and anxiety sufferer). Other uses include mood-stabilizing, relief of certain types of pain connected with the nervous system, and as an anti-seizure med.
Neurontin has certain qualities to it that can may be considered as beneficial or as a drawback. One of those is the fact that it has a maximum mgs. amount that can be processed by the body at one time, thus, the need for multiple dosing during the day when you get past the 300-600 mgs amount. In my own research I found that only 300-400 mgs could be used by the body at one sitting, so I spread my dosage amount throughout the day.
I would also state that anything over 600 mgs taken at one time will not be beneficial to the med-taker, especially taken all at once (i.e. taking 1,200 mgs at bedtime.). Neurontin doesn't have a long half-life, so dosing schedules may have to be messed with to get the desired results.
I've had a virtually side-effect free start-up and maintenance regarding Neurontin (I can't remember any negative side-effects--though I could search the P-Babble archives to make sure.). It definitely helped my depression and nervous anxiety, additionally, it lessened my panic attacks. I started with 300 mgs. twice daily for three (3) days I believe, moved up to 300 mgs. x3 per day, by the end of week one I was at 1,200 mgs. with no major changes other than a lot more smiles. I've had no weight gain associated with it. However, when I was at 2,400 mgs I did discover some "brain-fog", and maybe a bit of fatigue, so I dropped back on the daily dosage and it went away, and I have successfully gone back to 2,400 mgs without these mild side-effects.
I really want to reassure you from my own experience (and those of my friends and family) that Neurontin was a very extremely smooth medication, its effects kind of sneak-up on you, no sledge-hammer, turn-of-the-leaf sort of experiences. More like waking up from a much-needed cat-nap feeling refreshed, not hyped or wound-up, just comfortable in your own skin.
Nevertheless, I don't personally know anyone who is specifically using it to treat muscle damage pain (except for my sister-in-law's ancient dog who has severe hip problems and it *does* seem to help him quite a bit.). Although, I do know a number of people using it to specifically treat migraine, nerve damage, and nervous system associated pain with good--very good--results. It is also being used on ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) patients, but I haven't seen any reports turned in yet as to the ongoing results.
My best wishes go out to you and I hope you find what you need, whether in moral support or in pain relief! Thank you for sharing.
dove
P.S. Are you taking any other meds that will remain while you try the Neurontin? My Dad used a specific script-only painkiller (can't remember name--can try to find it if you like) while taking Neurontin and it did miracles on his shingles pain.
poster:dove
thread:1356
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010804/msgs/73501.html