PRESCRIBED GABAPENTIN

[cathyab]

I saw a Nurologist today who prescribed Gabapentin for Degenerative disc Disease. I was informed that surgery was out of the question because it was over a large area, wasn't very helpful and didn't really expalin why i was prescribed it. i was also prescribed amitriptyline for the night time.

Is this any good and will it help

[selmaS]

I was given same meds....I also have IBS and it interferred with the treatment for that...so I am no longer taking it....I was told it would help me sleep......didn't......also was to help with pain....didn't.....

I am not sure y ur dr rx'd it for u, but wanted to share my experience with it.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"

[cushy]

Neurontin is an epilepsy drug--it has a number of "off-label" uses and one is chronic pain.   The Elavil at nite is for pain management and anxiety.

Of the two GABA is the drug with the most serious side effects--like Steven-Johnson syndorme--so you really should educate yourself and learn about the drugs and then find out for yourself if you want to take this medication.  Do the benefits outweigh the risks of this medication?  You must be older to have multilevel DDD and I can see why there there would be little surgery would accomplish if that is all that is going on.  Have youtried a TENS unit?-these can be VERY beneficial for chronic pain--you can get an RX for one or just buy one on the internet.

Please use these searches---neurontin and chronic pain
                                           neurontin side effects
                                           Steven-Johnson syndrome
                                           TENS UNIT chronic pain
                                           anti-cholinergic
I want to also add this:--I have not seen your DDD--but want to say that this condition improves with time--the spine will throw down huge amounts of bone to auto-fuse your spine and the pain actually diminishes over time.

I sure hope you arent a smoke as that has contributed to the decline of your connective tissue.

I am just going to say this as well--your neurologist is handing out very toxic chemicals and it is a terrible commentary on how this person practices---and he has been of NO help in you managing your very painful and debilitating DDD--I am so sorry you were treated that way.

Also--Elavil is very constipating and as an "anti-cholinergic "causes a dry mouth and sedation as well so be careful when you use it.

David

[cathyab]

Hi
Thanks for the advice I am 54 so not to old that is why I am worried about taking these tablets. These were results of xrays last year and recently had an MRI on the neck which showed about the same.

Nurologist said that there was no point in doing anymore MRI scans and that I had some damage to the nerves. Not a lot more take these for a month then go back to my GP

CERVICAL SPINE
Severe spondylotic changes are shown in te lower cervical spine with marked narrowing of the dis spaces from C4 to C7 and marginal osteophyte formation. There is minimal loss of alignment at C5/C6 level. Posterior osteophytes on C4 on C5 are encroaching on the interverebra formina. Degenerative changes are shown at the facet joints.

THORACIC SPINE
Mild scoliosis of mid-thoracic spine concave to the right noted. Spondylotic changes are show with slight narrowing of the disc spaces and marginal osteophyte formation. The pedicles are intact. The vertebrare are in good alingment.

LUMBAR SPINE
Ther is loss of normal lumbar lordosis. Scoliosis of the lumbar spine concave to the right noted. Spondylotic change are shown with marked narrowing of L2/L3 and L5/S1 disc spaces and to a lesser extent the other disc spaces. Marginal ostephyte formation on L2/1, L5/S1 The vertebrae are in good alignment

Thanks agin will take your advice

[cathyab]

Hi
Thanks for the advice I am 54 so not to old that is why I am worried about taking these tablets. These were results of xrays last year and recently had an MRI on the neck which showed about the same.

Nurologist said that there was no point in doing anymore MRI scans and that I had some damage to the nerves. Not a lot more take these for a month then go back to my GP

CERVICAL SPINE
Severe spondylotic changes are shown in te lower cervical spine with marked narrowing of the dis spaces from C4 to C7 and marginal osteophyte formation. There is minimal loss of alignment at C5/C6 level. Posterior osteophytes on C4 on C5 are encroaching on the interverebra formina. Degenerative changes are shown at the facet joints.

THORACIC SPINE
Mild scoliosis of mid-thoracic spine concave to the right noted. Spondylotic changes are show with slight narrowing of the disc spaces and marginal osteophyte formation. The pedicles are intact. The vertebrare are in good alingment.

LUMBAR SPINE
Ther is loss of normal lumbar lordosis. Scoliosis of the lumbar spine concave to the right noted. Spondylotic change are shown with marked narrowing of L2/L3 and L5/S1 disc spaces and to a lesser extent the other disc spaces. Marginal ostephyte formation on L2/1, L5/S1 The vertebrae are in good alignment

Thanks again will take your advice

[cathyab]

From advice and reading up this medication is going to do nothing but dope me up. I took a half an Amitriptyline last night and today i am all over the place.

I like you aso suffer from IBS so teh last thing I want is to be constipated, I am not good with the tablet even small amounts knock me out.

I will just have to put up with the pain.

Hope you are fine and thanks for advice