Neurontin for Chronic Pain

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

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.

[Roseville1]

I fell on a cement patio almost two years ago.  The pain just got worse and worse.  Had MRI's bone scans, xrays, physical therapy, you name it.  Tried nerve ablation on lower back nerves, lived on Norco for over 1 1/2 (luckily not addicted).  Tried Lyrica with major side affects (back felt great, so much pain in right arm couldnt move).  Tried Zoloft, Celexa with major headaches.  Visited a neurologist he suspects nerve, soft tissue damage (really, why couldnt any other doctor diagnose this problem?)  Anyway, Gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) has really helped me a lot.  Still cannot sit in a chair for more than ten minutes due to soft tissue damage, but most of the day the pain is very minimal.  Do have to take a few rests during the day but at least my mood is much better, I feel more relaxed and am not crying all the time due to pain.  I do get a slight headache when the drug is wearing off.  I am only on 300 ml a day.  Some people are taking 1200 ml for pain (I feel sorry for their pain and suffering).  At least try the drug since it is not addictive.  Do have your kidneys checked a few months after taking since it does not go thru the liver and is flushed out thru kidneys.  Good luck

[Jessicahasclass]

Hi, My name is Jessica, I Have been on lortab 10 mgs 4x daily for six years. I also have been prescribed ativan 2 mgs 3x's daily for anxiety. The combo of these drugs mentioned are wonderful. They are sooo addicting... I don't have the addiction to ativan, simply because I like the energy I get from lortab. Im not sure if its because it stops my pain or because I like it, I def. like getting off my butt and getting things done. I have been taking Neurontin for five months. I don't take the small dosage that most have mentioned, I take 600 mgs three times a day... I absolutely love it. As for addiction to Neurontin, Don't believe its not addictive.... I can absolutely stop taking Lortab as long as I have Neurontin. I take Neurontin for fibromyalgia , numerous soft tissue disorders and blah... they all go hand in hand. I used Tom's rec. to detox off Lortab , I now only take ONE ten mg a day... I was up to six per day.. Obviously over my written precription lol...The thread was about Neurontin, anything that makes you feel good can become a dependency drug , Is that bad? I dont think so. Moderation is the Key to handeling any medical problem. I find the cocktail that works for me.. we are all different. Try not to over take your medicine. Also remember the Detox process is NASTY, Your prescription is up to the docs.. They can decide to NOT write it again, keep that in mind also. I had rather decide not to take something than for someone else to decide it LOL...Just remember its quality of life!

[Sidnee389]

5 months ago I suffered from cervical radiculopathy causing me severe left upper back and arm pain with slight numbness in my fingers. I was prescribed pain killers and diazepam for a short while and had gone through intensive physiotherapy (more than 40 sessions). The pain is much better but still there. The MRI report shows damage to cervical disc 5-6. And now I have been prescribed Neurontin for pain - 300mg night time single dose for 1 month. If it doesn't help than I can increase it to 2 doses a day. After a month my doctors says we may reduce the dosage. It's only been a day since I'm taking the drug and am feeling a bit tired. Will keep you posted with my progress with the drug.

[RoseVilla]

I was on neurontin for quite a while due to tremors following a stroke.  I was taking 3 a day, and had absolutely no trouble getting off them (cold turkey).  My problem is I like the opiates.  I was hooked on Lortab for quite a while and went CT, horrible withdrawal, and now through my own stupidity I accepted Norco from my specialist.  Only thing is, I don't feel a thing even when I take two at a time.  They contain codeine and I'm just curious as to why I feel NOTHING.  But as I posted just a few minutes ago, maybe it's better I DON'T get any good feelings from them.  Oh, this addiction thing is awful - I just started the Norco so maybe I can quit without withdrawal.  Oh, I'd been on Darvocet for about 6 months, had NO trouble getting off them, thank God.  How do we get involved in this?  I'm an OLD LADY by the way!

[ShereeAnnette]

Wow!!!I I had no idea that inputing Neurontin would take me down this path. I suffer from the same disease that you all do. It is like once you take an opiod, your hooked for life. I had surgery and got addicted to heavy pain medications. It started with Hydro, then Oxy, then Morphine, and on to Diluadid, and finally Methadone. After surgery my pain management Doctor said, "we need to get you off these medications and sent me to a Doctor that perscribed Suboxone. The Suboxone is a life saving medication and from what I have seen and tried, it is the only way to successfully kick the Opiate addiction. However, I went to the ER after a fall this week and was given a shot of Diluadid and sent home with some Vic. After running out of the Vic, I went to the local Primacare and told them I was in severe pain. I was perscribed 10 Vic's. I know in my heart that I will call them on monday and try to get a refill. I need advice from people who know what this feels like. I want to get back on the meds so bad. Then I remember how hard it was and I just want to sit here and cry. Any advice?  It is like that one person said....yes there are two paths you can go down, but in the long run, theres still time to change the road you are on...... I need support !!! I don't know which road to go down. It's a choice that can change my life forever.

[butterfly75]

I read this thread for the neurontin and learned so much about opiate addiction too.  I think the more input we get about the trouble others have faced and tried (sometimes again and again) to persevere the more we learn about what we may need to avoid.  It is so easy when I am in pain to think I may need more than the elavil, neurontin or tylenol and reading all of this makes me know I need to try if possible to make do with what I can handle.  I admire all of you courageous people that are trying to get off of the opiates.  At least you see a problem and are trying to correct it.  I think of the Led Zepplin song Stairway to Heaven where they say that there are two paths you can go by but in the long run, there's still time to change the road your on.