Gabapentin…

Anonymous
October 17, 2011 at 11:25 am

I started on 3,600 mg of Neurontin back in 2002, before it even became generic. Once I got out of the hospital (after 4 months,) I weaned myself down to 1,800 mg daily. It went generic & I have stayed on Gabapentin at the same dose all of those yr. I wish I could take less or none at all, but for me it has been a lifesaver, as I have so much permanent damage to my feet. I should try Lyrica, but since Gabapentin works, why pay for a non-generic drug? I do think it contributes to my fatigue, but would Lyrica be any less as far as drowsiness as a side effect?

Gabapentin?

Anonymous
April 15, 2011 at 11:47 pm

I take Gabapentin for the pain, without it I can’t function.

Is your family member taking anything to help with nerve pain?

I agree about contacting a doc that specializes in CIDP

Good luck, and hang in there.

Rhonda

gabapentin

Anonymous
February 13, 2010 at 4:29 pm

Hi, Jessicah, follw the very specific directions on the gabapentin. It’s a gradually up, or gradually off med, (titration) you cannot just take it on the weekends. Honestly I don’t think my daughter ever had any relief from it, although when it was first given we were promised a ‘miracle’ that it would make her sleep and relieve pain. But nothing. Just want to make sure you are not just taking it on the weekends, it does not work like that. The only thing her CIDP responds to is plasma exchange. IViG had no effect on her at all. After 2 years, 18 months since dx, she can now use her hands pretty well, still cannot walk. She is also now on cellcept along with plasma exchange and several other meds and a potent pain med that is also not as effective as she would like. 😉

Gabapentin

Anonymous
June 20, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Iwas taking gabapentin for 2 years, 4 x 400 mg. I stoped because my bilirubin blood test went too high,
and doc says is a hepatic failure. But my nigths are getting worst since that, more back pains, less sleep, hours awake..

Pablo

Gabapentin…

Anonymous
May 12, 2009 at 12:20 am

I take 600 mg when I wake up, 600 mg at 3:00, & 600 mg at bedtime. I could never miss a dose, I would notice it within an hour. Could never stand the nerve pain without it.

Gabapentin

Anonymous
August 26, 2008 at 9:49 am

Well I got the generic Neurontin. OH boy, 2X300mg. I guess I’ll try this and see how it goes for a month

Gabapentin…

Anonymous
July 31, 2008 at 12:10 am

I have taken gabapentin for 6 years now, mostly at the level of 1800 mg daily. I have not tried Lyrica because I believe it to be basically the same as Neurontin, only a lot more expensive, as it has not been out long enough to go generic. Without Gabapentin, I could never walkor even function as the pain in my feet would be unbearable. BTW I had no problem switching to the generic form when it came out.
Pam

Gabapentin

Anonymous
August 4, 2007 at 9:36 pm

[COLOR=black]Dr. Shawn,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Gabapentin is known to make people really drowsy initially. The effect tends to reduce with usage. If you have to up the dose or change the time, the drowsiness can increase temporarily. By the way, 100 mg is considered a small dose. I cannot even get it in less than 300 mg tablets (source issues, but my health plan’s pharmacy considers 300 mg the smallest useful dose).[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Was it fast-acting for you? I ask because it is not for me. I try to make sure that I have a dose at least a couple of hours before bed. It really helps by bedtime. I don’t take it more than 4 hours before bed, because the half-life (serum, I think) is 5 to 6 hours, and I want to be asleep before it wears off.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]On keeping your practice, I understand your desire not to give it up. I love my job (analytical chemist) and I just cannot imagine not working. Still, I have to ask my colleagues to help pick up the slack. They are a gracious bunch and have willingly agreed. I don’t know how LLC’s or LLP’s are set up, but is there some way for you to force your partners to buy you out? I ask not because I think you should give up your practice, but because your partners seem to be heartless. Could you not set up your own practice or buy into a more caring group? I have an optometrist friend who was rendered quadriplegic in a car accident just as he was setting up his practice. He gets a subsidy from the state so that he can continue. Maybe that would be an option for you?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Please think about this anecdote; it has helped me. An Air Force general that I am acquainted with was having a very hard time with the acquisition program she was managing. She called her mother and said that she was thinking of quitting the program. Her mother told her, “Never give up, never quit; make them fire you.” The general said she decided that she would do the best job she could, accepting the restraints in her life, and let others decide it if it was good enough. If it was not, at least she gave it her very best shot.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]Godspeed your recovery and let’s hope your partners become more accommodating soon.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=black] [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]MarkEns[/COLOR]

Gabapentin…

Anonymous
June 3, 2007 at 1:15 pm

I lowered my dose from 3600 down to 2400 when I left the hospital almost 5 years ago. Then about 6 months later down to 1800 (just hate swallowing pills.) My neuro says I should be on twice that much with all of the nerve damage that I have, especially in my feet. But at a recent lecture I attended he said that we should always stay ahead of the pain & I don’t always do that. I think I should add 600 mg more a day, but am afraid of even more fatigue. Please let me know if you get more tired at this higher dose, OK?
Pam