Re: Neurontin
Amy Thropp (athropp(AT)mindspring.com)
Mon, 21 Jul 1997 22:02:42 -0400
>Drowsiness IS a problem with neurontin, especially as the dosage increases.
> It seems to me to be true that you can't count on taking something for
>very, very long periods of time. So neurontin may work very well for you
>for awhile. Please share any new information you may get from your
>neurologist today! I hope you get the help and support you need!
>
>----------
>> From: Ann.Lindstrom(AT)octel.com
>> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
>> Subject: RE: Neurontin
>> Date: Monday, July 21, 1997 12:08 PM
>>
>> Gail and Kay -
>>
>> I am seeing my neurologist today about going on neurontin. I got
>> samples last week from another doctor, so I've only been on it for a
>> week. I am using it instead of elavil, and I'm feeling much better. I
>> am concerned that it seemed to have stopped working for you guys after
>> several months.
>>
>> The elavil definitely causes weight gain, one of its major side effects.
>> The other major side effect is drowsiness, which doesn't seem to be a
>> problem with neurontin. Let me know what you find out.
>>
>> >----------
>> >From: Gail Sanders[SMTP:gsanders(AT)mindspring.com]
>> >Sent: Monday, July 21, 1997 6:23 AM
>> >To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
>> >Subject: Re: Neurontin
>> >
>> >I've been taking Neurintin since about Feb, and I have had similar
>> >experiences with it. I started taking it just as you have, but I have
>been
>> >told to take more - at least one more 300mg per day. It is not as
>> >effective as it was at the beginning, and I think it has caused me to
>gain
>> >weight, which makes it more difficult for me to balance. I'm trying to
>get
>> >my doctor at Emory to change the medication, but he will be out of the
>> >country until mid Aug. I have an appt with another doctor there (at
>Emory)
>> >tomorrow, but I may not go, because it will be expensive, and the doctor
>> >may not be as understanding as my regular doctor. Advice on this?
>> >
>> >I'm considering trying bee venom therapy. I've read some about it on
>the
>> >'net, and it sounds like it has some promise. I also want to stop using
>> >the beta interferon. I don't think it's helping at all - may be making
>> >things more difficult.
>> >
>> >My diagnosis, by the way, was officially myelitis, but I had plaque in
>my
>> >spinal cord at about T5, and there were effects of the disease on both
>> >sides of my body. Since I have had several 'attacks' of myleitis, the
>> >doctor made the diagnosis MS so that I could start taking the Avonex
>(beta
>> >interferon). None of it makes much sense.
>> >
>> >More later, maybe - I am Proudly at work, even though it's been quite a
>> >struggle lately - with a cane and the heat...
>> >
>> >Gail Sanders Lockerman
>> >gsanders(AT)mindspring.com
>> >
>> >----------
>> >> From: Kay Cole <kcole(AT)wave.co.nz>
>> >> To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
>> >> Subject: Neurontin
>> >> Date: Sunday, July 20, 1997 8:54 PM
>> >>
>> >> I have been taking Neurontin for 4 months at 300mgs 3 times a day and
>> >> until recently the pain levels have been greatly reduced. I am now
>> >> finding that the pain control doesn't seem to be as effective and am
>> >> wondering if anyone has had the same experience with this drug. I'm
>> >> relucant to come off the drug in case the pain becomes even worse so
>> >> would appreciate any feedback.
>> >> Thanks Kay
>> >
>> >
>
>
You know, it seems that Neurontin works completely differently in different
people. Steve also had weight gain from Neurontin and it only marginally
helped his side spasms, but did work well for pins and needles in his legs.
After a while it didn't work too well at all and I know he was also taking
900 mgs a day. He was taking Elavil and Neurontin together but Elavil made
him drowsy and Neurontin made him edgy. It was crazy.
Now he's on Baclofen and Zoloft. Seems to work fairly well, but he still is
uncomfortable a lot of the time. However, if we look back 6 months, he is
really a lot better than he was then and certainly much better than he was a
year ago when he had his attack.
Amy