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Neurontin for Chronic Pain
by From Aunt Lindy to Mariah, Jan 23, 2001 12:00AM
I was curious about Neurontin. I have been told that this medicine is good for Chronic Pain. I know it is also for use with people that have seizures. Could someone tell me how Neurontin has helped or hurt them. I have been taking it at night 300mg small dose for sleep and Chronic Pain. I dont want to go to a higher dosage until I research more. My doctor says this is a good helpful medicine. I just want to get more input.
Thank you very much for your help. Shelly.
Thank you very much for your help. Shelly.
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Valium or a valium class drug like Xanax can help you make it through the withdrawal. If you don't have access, Valerian Root extract from the health food store is very valium-like in its effect.
Take hot baths or jacuzzis for the muscle aches.
Take Immodium for the runs.
That's about all you can do, but this is the tried and true way to ease the withdrawal to a bearable level.
Take care. Post some more here if you want to talk.
yes, Neurontin is for seizures, pain, anti-anxiety. It gives some tiredness but is a very usefull drug to control seizures. I am going back on it to control my seizures. The Klonopin is not enough.
Yeah, 30 years and counting. I was in my late teens when I took my first opioid drug. In fact, that first one was the old Darvon Compound 65. They talk about genetic predispositions for addictions of one sort or the other. Well, up til then, I had been one of those high school kids who looked down on friends who were getting stoned, etc. I was even arrogant about "not needing any of that stuff." One night came, and, after reading a really very anti-drug story, for one reason or another, I took two Darvon and went to bed. When that stuff hit my brain, I was never the same again. I had what seemed to me to be a mystical, out of body experience. It was so intense that I of course did it again and again, etc. From that moment on, I was an opiate addict. It was almost like falling in love or having a religious conversion. I have never felt whole without opiates since. I have been through all the usual rehabs, programs, jails, etc. but it's as if to stop is to die for me. The fact that it started with Darvon is purely coincidental.
I use darvon 65 (the plain pink ones) because they are just propoxyphene without any Tylenol or asprin. But in the last thirty years, I have been on every rx opiate in the book, the stronger the better. I had a 10-year affair with hydrocodone (lortab, vicodin, etc.) which almost killed me. At one point, I was using 75 vicodin a day (seventy-five). I would process the stuff to remove the Tylenol, which is probably why I'm still alive.
I use darvon now for several reasons. It's actually quite a weak opioid as opioid drugs go. Ironically, it's chemically related to methadone. Unfortunately, it doesn't provide the same benefits of methadone maintenance. But I have a close relationship with a doctor, not a doc feel good, but a real doctor, and I have three bad disks in my back (with surgery a few years ago). Equipped with the bad-back documentation, my doctor finds it easy to provide me with as much Darvon as I want. I occasionally hit him up for Vicodin and OxyContin (boy, stay away from that one - it's WAY TOO good).
Like you, I have to work a demanding job. I have decided to get help which is not yet available in the form I want. You can get bup in California if you enter the right detox program. However, doctors may be able to prescribe it to treat opiate dependence in a private medical setting soon. That is what I want.
For a number of reasons, I cannot take a month off from the world and commit myself to an in-house detox where I could get the bup now. I also can't risk exposure in my profession, so I'm hanging in there for that private treatment legislation to go through. It may happen soon, it may not. The addiction pros I talk to don't even know the status of this legislation. If I had time, I might go out of state to get the bup, as several posters on this forum have done.
I stick with the Darvon, not because it imparts a particularly good opioid high, but because I find I can use it and still show up for work and participate in my family life - two things I wouldn't be doing if I were on lortabs or oxy's all the time. So, it's practical in a way.
As for addiction from it, I see no reason why it wouldn't be just as addicting as lortabs. It was, after all, the drug that started it all for me. Withdrawal from Darvon, believe it or not, I've found to be worse by far than withdrawal from lortabs. I would not steer you toward it for that reason. Darvon has just worked out to be my maintenance drug while I arrange a real recovery for myself. There is a theory that long-time users like me are now "endorphine challenged" and cannot produce the natural substances that the drugs imitate. If this is true, methadone maintenance my be my only real hope. Years before I ever heard the term endorphin challenged, I knew there was something missing in me when I was without the opiate or opioid drugs in my system. I truly perceive opiates as one would a life saving drug. I hope it's not the case, but I'll have to wait a little before finding out.
You know, after 7 days off the lortabs, you'll be pretty much over the worst of the detox. If you were serious about recovery you might think of seeking some kind of program then. Getting hooked up with therapy or an AA/NA program is a lot simpler if you're already detoxed.
As far as getting through the next seven days, well, I'd use the coping tips I left on the other post. Make sure you've got the imodium (immodium) on hand at work if the runs set in. It's going to be hard getting through the day and even harder getting through the night. Remember the valium or Valerian Root and take all the hot baths you can stand at night for the muscle aches. They're really quite effective. You'll have no energy at work, either, but caffeine might get you through.
For you now, switching from a lortab to a darvon addiction wouldn't accomplish much. As I said, withdrawal from a heavy darvon habit sucks. The Darvocet would also contain the Tylenol that the lortab has, which would not improve the situation.
I'm sorry I don't have more info on the buprenorphine legislation. I'm in the dark like you. But I'm hopeful after some new methadone regulations take effect in March, making it easier for doctors to become authorized to dispense methadone, the bup law changes might be pushed forward a bit. Like I said, you can get the bup detox now in California but only in a full-fledged in-house drug treatment program and some university studies. I wish I had the freedom to take time off and go to a real detox unit to get started. But I can't get off the career merrygo 'round right now to make that possible. So, I maintain, try to find out what I can, and wait.
One thing you can do, look up the Matrix Center http://www.matrixcenter.com/researchers.html
You may be in a situation where they could help you with even buprenorphine right now. But we're talking programs and studies, so you have to have the time and some money to use them. But the Matrix Center is a good source for treatment program options and links to other sources.
I hope this answered your questions and you find the answer you seek. Take care.
Anyways my doctor wants to talk to me about the amount of lortabs of I have been taking! Old story. Present tense. I will try to education him about MMT. I shouldn't have to do this. The medical profession DOES not get positive education in regards to treating pain problems period! Well, I will see what my doctor is made of today. He claims he is a christian. Well today I will test his compassion and understanding of medicine and people. The problem is their is only a handfull of doctors worldwide who understand MMT truley. I will bring Dr. J Thomas Paytes dear doctor letter for my defense. And some other education tools. My doctor should pay me for the info I will provide him today at his office. But I will get charged the regular 75.00 for the visit and 25.00 for the depo medrol injection.. With any luck I will get some adequate medicine to treat my pain issues. I am not looking for a high people -- just some medicine to treat my pain. If it is low dose of a stong opiate,than so be it. As an addict I will have to keep my eyes open to the ever lurking disease that I keep in remmission with the help of MMT and 12-step programs. Wish me luck and say a few prayers. My Best to YOU all! >>"doc" Dan..
Thank you.
Dan! How did they dr. appointment go???? I'm curious. Been following your posts. Hope you got through to the doctor! Let us know!!
Tell me, are you looking for an increased dose of hydro or something stronger like OxyContin? It seems to me, you'll have to detox off one short-actor when you feel better, so why not detox off oxy? Surely it can't make that big a difference. I always found Vicodin to be limited in its analgesic power, anyway.
I say, if you can, dump this doc if he doesn't "get it" and get a referral through your MMT network to someone who does.
I don't suppose temporarily increasing your methadone dose would help(?)
I face this problem from time to time and always have to find someone to supplement my legit, say, dentist's Vic script. It's almost funny to be handed a 1 q4 h of vics, the dentist telling me to be "very careful about these. They're very powerful" while I'm thinking about how I could literally take 7 or 8 of them at a pop and not be phased.
Does this doc already know about the MMT, or is receiving Dr Paytes letter the first time he's going to be hearing about your disease? His reaction should tell all, in any event.
I feel for you. I've certainly been in your kind of pain a number of times. You may have to call on your old junkie skills for wheedling more drugs out of this guy than he realizes he's giving you. However, from what you say, he's a hard nose. You might have to accept him as a lost cause and seek an MMT-educated referral from your MMT community. I refuse to believe they couldn't or wouldn't help you.
Is this expected to be a short term pain thing or are you in for a long haul with this ailment? I'd be more ruthless about dropping the doc if he can't or won't understand. As much as we respect them, doctors are deliverers of a service. If one fails to deliver satisfactory service, get another one. If your plumber does a lousy job on your pipes you don't hesitate to call another, do you?
I say reach out to your network. They've got to have an answer. Of course, you know I will always be here to talk. You may be in for some suffering, my friend. I just hope it isn't a chronic thing. That changes the picture significantly.
I know it helps to share your pain with your 12-step brothers and sisters. I don't have to tell you that there is healing power in those circles.
Stay in touch. Let us know what happens after you give him the "dear doctor" letter. Like I said, it's a litmus test. If he fails it, drop that guy!
I also know that your spiritual side can help in these times. That serenity prayer has gotten me through some pretty rough stuff. I'm here for you, brother. Keep in touch. Go with god.
your friend,
tom
Yeah, I'd say from your hitory that you are pre-disposed to opiate use. Opiates, whatever they may be, mimic endorphins which the brain accepts as endorphins. Opiates have a very specific and unique action in the brain, which makes opiate addiction distinct from other addictions. I found people into opiates are interested in nothing else. It's a dubious honor to belong to "the club."
We haven't heard from Brian in a while and just hope he's in a good rehab somewhere and will not lose his medical license (I'm sure you picked up on the fact that Brian is a doctor). He made caring friends of many of us and we still watch the threads hoping to hear some news. Such is the life of the junkie.
At least, on thi site, I have a place to go where i can truly be myself and share my life with people who understand -- the only people who could. Stay in touch. Take care.
Shelly
He said that he will not prescribe any schedule two opiates. I am fine with that. I told him I did not want Oxycontin right off the bat! I will suffer before I take that life ruiner! We discussed tylenol containing drugs and we both agreed that tylenol is not good for the liver and should not be in a medicine that is to be taken regularly. A liquid containing 5mgm's of hydrocodone and 100mgms quaifenisen per teaspoon. NO tylenol. Four teaspoonsful(20mg) q six hours. Thirty mgm's works better. But I will settle with 20mgm's. Our doctors are concerned with what the DEA thinks,I am sure. Six teaspoonfuls or one ounce q six hours would have definitely red flagged that RX. This is a shame, but that is the way it is, whether we like it or not! What I just mentioned is an entirely different issue which I do not have time to discuss here my friends! So far so good! No high just a little pain relief! Well people things worked out for me so far. I am lucky I have a caring and understanding doctor. The pain relief starts running out after 3-4 hours but I can handle it until the next dose. Bye for now and best wishes to all!
Your Friend,
Dan..
ps: I did not have time to proof my post so xcuse any mistakes in grammar or spelling. Dan..
You're tolerance for the hydrocodone will rapidly increase. You'll start doubling up on doses. You'll use whatever stories or ploys you can think of to increase the amount the doc gives you or get refills early (I'm working out of state for my company and won't be here when I would normally refill my pills. Therefore, please give me my refill now. -- that one works on some pharmacists but not on others. Only try it with a private mom and pop pharmacy. They are under a lot less scrutiny than, say, Walgreens pharmacists, and, frankly, need all the sales they can get to stay in business).
Anyway, Shane, the idea is escalation. You'll need more, more often. If exaggerating your condition to your doctor doesn't convince him to increase the amount prescribed, you'll start thumbing through the yellow pages for the Walk-ins. You'll go to a few of those and initially succeed in getting more drugs. But that has a short half-life. Most walk-ins assume you're going to go back to your regular doctor for refills and consequently won't give you many refills, if any.
I fully identify with your situation as far as not being able to tell your wife. You're from a normal, upstanding family that you believe won't accept or understand your using drugs like this. You're worried that you'll lose they're respect and love.
I know about this. For many years, I kept it all secret from my family, convincing them (and the docs) that I just had a hell of a lot of pain. They'd shake their heads in sympathy - "Oh, how is poor Tom doing with those terrible headaches? I wish I knew how to help him. But I guess his doctor knows what he's doing."
The point is, you're "secret" will come spilling out one day when you're caught double-doctoring by a pharmacy or by your medical insurance (or your wife reading rx labels). If you're story gets as bad as mine, you're whole family will find out about your habit when you're led away in handcuffs for rx forgery. Everyone will be shocked. "Normies," that is, people who by some stroke of luck just don't have addictive personalities, simply won't have anything in their personal history to help them understand what you're doing, why you can't "just stop."
As AA teaches (expect to be attending some meetings soon), secrecy keeps the disease alive. It allows it to progress until you do something so blatant that everyone finds out. Take are.
Later, you'll discover that more people "knew" than you might ever have thought.
I guess I don't have to tell you that you won't defeat this problem by yourself. At some point, you'll have to ask for medical help. Just do it before you find yourself in handcuffs somewhere. It can all happen -- and will. Take care.
The physical can be dealt with simply:
If you can taper, do so slowly and you won't experience too much discomfort.
Quit cold turkey is the other option. It requires that you take, say, four days off from the world, though. Using a benzo like Valium can help a lot for the anxiety. Hot baths or jacuzzis can relieve the muscle cramps. If you don't have access to some Valium or Xanax as such, Valerian Root from the health food store has some Valium-like qualities and will help you sleep.
You may experience the runs, so I'd go to the supermarket and pick up some brand name Imodium (immodium). If the runs come, take two, don't fool around with half measures or they'll keep coming.
The psychological aspect is your real challenge. There are answers for that at AA. I recommend AA over NA for someone like you. NA meetings might not be as emotionally accessible as AA. Don't get caught up in which drug you use. Addiction is addiction. Get a copy of the big book and read the biographies. You'll find yours there right next to mine. Good luck.
Dan..
Most of us believe that addition is a disease that can take away our lives as quickly as any other fatal illness. If I was to be given advice by a person suffering from cancer, I would not consider him silly because he had not responded to all the medical treatments to cure him. We are here to offer our experience, hope and comfort to fellow sufferers in this illness-that's all. Why not make a trip to your local hospital today and rant and rave at all the sick people there. They will surely make room for you there, too...in a padded cell.
I just want to commend all of us who have tried to lead normal lives, raise families and become successes in spite of all this grief caused by addiction. We really are some good people here and worthy of respect!
Neurontin is a good drug for anti-convulsant activity especially partial type seizures.
It also controls OCD, Bi-Polar, Anxiety and Neurologic Pain somewhat. It has very little side effects accept for tiredness depending on the dosage.
The higher the dosage, the more the fatigue or sleepiness.
I have taken it and am going back on it after my eye surgery is completed. It is a drug that you should not go off of cold turkey because it is an (anti-convulsant) and it may cause a (seizure) if you take it a while and then stop it abruptly.
Thanks,
mike
Thanks,
mike
Sheri69