16 replies to this topic

[biggdoggpa]

My friend has recently become a paraplegic and is currently taking neurontin, has anyone used this? is there a safer alternative? I've heard alot of bad things about this drug? my friend has had two incidents where he passed out and we don't know why the only other medicine he is currently taking is oxy ? mg, as needed for pain which he took only twice now since he has been home. both incidents of passing out occurred the morning after he took the oxy,

thank you

biggdoggpa

Edited by biggdoggpa, 13 May 2011 - 09:33 AM.

[D. Smith]

I'm taking neurontin and have had no issues. For me, neurontin takes the edge off the tingling sensations I have in my legs and waist and such. I've never passed out due to it. The only alternative I know is amitriptyline in small doses as its actually an anti-depressant. But if I'm way off base, I'm sure the community will set me straight on that last bit.

- Daniel

[edlee]

I'm taking it, too. No passing out,, unless you call the sleepiness passing out. That's one of the side effects,, and you get used to it with time. Another alternative that many swear by is Lyrica. There is a chart here somewhere, that Trinity posted, that gives a good overview of all the standard meds for the neuropathic pain most of us have.

If he's having troubles like passing out,, I'd look more to the OXY than the Neurotin ( also called Gabapentin)
ed

[isobar]

Hi,




Neurotin has been linked to suicidal thoughts or deaths.

[Michael R]

I recently switched from neurontin to Lyrica. This has been on of the best medications I have tried so far for m nerve pain. I got very dizzy for a while
after I first started taking the drug but that was soon traced to an infection that was interacting with the drug. Just coming upon my 1 year anniversary
for my illness, this forum has helped me so much with understanding what I'm going through with sci.

Thank you all so much
Mike

[Chel]

I also take neurontin, but I never had passing out problems, but like Edlee says the sleepy feeling that comes with neurontin does subside over time, I would check out the Oxy medication because his body may have to adjust to it. I hope your friend gets to feeling better soon!

[bucsaringer]

Hi Bigg,
I also take gabapentin, the generic of Neurontin and I haven't experienced any passing out caused by the drug. As the others have said, it sounds like your friend needs to take a lower dose of OxyContin or better yet, talk to his doctor about an alternative. If he's only needed his Oxy twice since he's been home, he can probably take something that isn't as strong. I've been taking gabapentin/Neurontin for seven years now, without any problems. Thanks for helping out your friend.

[biggdoggpa]

Thank you all I have already told him to quit the oxy and find an alternative thanks to you guys!! And girls/women!! Lol thanks again I will be picking your brains alot I have already learned alot from this forum thank you all!!

[Gabi&George]

Was prescribed Neurontin for severe facial pain from Tic Doloreux. It made me so dizzy I was afraid of falling. Neuro switched me to Trileptal. No issues whatsoever and nerve pain completely subdued. Hope you found something as helpful. Gabi

[mike13]

I myself take Neurontin/Gabapentin, Lyrica and also Methadone. Neurontin is a nerve blocker, not a straight pain pill. Lyrica is for the tingling sensation, fibromyalgia not sure of the spelling. and Methadone is form the pain.
I take yhe Lyrica and Neurontin for the uncomfortable shooting, tingling pain. and the Methadone for pain. I had my Doc put me on very low doses so I can still function, when I first left the hospital I was on Vicodin, Darvocet and some other kind of darva thing, but I would constantly fall asleep..

[cestlavie]

I have been on Neurontin for 16 months and it does make you somewhat groggy, which you soon get immune to. Your doctor can lower the dose and gradually increase it, if needed. I take it with many other meds, along with Oxycontin (slow release every 12 hrs) and Oxycodone every 4 hrs, only as needed when the sharp unbearable pain sets in from the adhesive arachnoiditis. I have not passed out, actually, with all the meds, there have been nights I have not even been able to sleep, the pain has been so bad. Please have your friend report any side effects to his doctor. He should not mess around if he is passing out.

[gimpguy]

I take 1800 mgs of Neurotin a day which doesn't always take care of my pain issues. I do get sleepy at times, especially in boring meetings at work. Is it the drug or the topic of the meeting? I'm currently backing down the dosage and looking for something else to deal with the sharp hip pain that I have. Is anyone using methadone?

[Zack]

I didn't have time to read all the replies!

Sitting up in bed a while before getting in the chair will reduce the chances of passing out after getting up in chair. It works for me!

Good Luck!

[puckster777]

Im taking 2700 mg a day but i still have tingling in my legs but never passed out.

[goldnucs]

I also take 2,700 mg/day (900 x 3) of gabapentin and have been since 2006. No problems whatsoever. Started out with some drowsiness and dry mouth but they passed.

[mike13]

I take 800Mg. 3 x a day. and as others have said. When I first stated them, I got drowsy. But if you just are a sit there kind then you will be tired.
If your able, keep moving and all is good.. and I learned from an A/B my Son..hahaha, little bastard...

[harlton]

Hi,
I've been on 5000mg/day for the last 10+yrs, together with 4mg Dilaudid 4x/day, and it was working very well untill recently.
Now on 6000mg/day and 8mgx4/day, plus a whole lot more for other problems now, all related to 20+ yrs of trying to live a life with this injury. Gaba with that bit of diluadid has been pretty good to me for ten plus yrs. Along with a good excercise program, and lots of water.
I've been fairly lucky until recently, but I'm 56 now and not really sure whats down to what, I've not taken it particulary easy on my body.
What does interest me are my levels compared to others. All my doc's have said without the really high levels it does not work well, one Dr was talking about taking me to 9000mg/day back when I started on it. Then it was still mainly a anti-siezure med and the bottles said 900mg was considered the maximum safe dose.

all the best Ian