>----------
>From: Amy Thropp[SMTP:athropp(AT)mindspring.com]
>Sent: Monday, July 21, 1997 7:02 PM
>To: tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com
>Subject: Re: Neurontin
>
>
>>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
>
>