Gabapentin

[Angel1781]

I was perscribed Gabapentin which is generic for Lyrica, I believe.  I was perscribed this prior to my diagnosis and my insurance just approved it.  Does this medication help w/the pain or what?  I have never taken this before and don't know exactly what it is for.  The doctor who prescribed it gave it to me months ago but my insurance said they didn't cover it so I just forgot about it and then I got the diagnosis and didn't think much of it after that.  Yesterday I went to pu my Imitrex and they had called in the generic version of Lyrica but they never called to tell me that my insurance did that. My hometown pharmacy closed down and Kroger took over the customers but they don't tell me anything about my medicine and how to even take it.  Does this medication work for anybody??

[JJb2017]

I need info about gabapentin for year 2017 anyone out there I still have memory loss n doctors refuse to believe  its from this medication I also had a tia during the use of this medication.please help

[selmaS]

What kind of info do you need?

[lydialaska]

I have been taking Gabapentin for nerve pain in my neck and down my shoulder to my arm, I have not been able to supply names of people, movies, places and all sorts of words would not come to mind until I read about the side effects - 48 hours later - all of the information has come pouring back in - hopefully with everyone else it isn't permanent - I was on 1800 mg a day, prescribed by my pain management doctor - I am not taking anymore!

[lydialaska]

I meant 48 hours after no more of the gabapentin

[JMB73]

I work in pain management... as far as I know, there is no generic version of Lyrica at this time... and Lyrica and Gabapentin are two completely different medications... if your doctor or pharmacist told you otherwise, they are incorrect. Gabapentin is generic for Neurontin, originally developed as an anti-epileptic, whereas Lyrica was developed specifically for treatment of neuropathic pain. They both work on the body's GABA receptors, but the mechanism of action is slightly different with each. Gabapentin seems to be more effective in treating neuropathic pain from disease process, such as Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, where Lyrica often works better in patients with nerve pain caused by impinged nerves and enhanced epidural and peridural neurofibrosis (basically, scar tissue on the nerve / nerve root). Because there is no generic available for Lyrica, and because they work similarly, some insurances won't approve Lyrica without having first failed a trial of Gabapentin. The simple solution to this, however, is to have your provider submit a PA (prior authorization) request to your insurance for the Lyrica, which generally takes about 10 days to 2 weeks. Government payors are different, but  I have yet to see a commercial insurance turn down a Lyrica PA if the proper documentation is submitted along with the PA request. If you see a pain management specialist who is highly qualified, they should be set up with a pharmaceutical rep to be able to provide you with enough samples to get you through the period of time it takes to receive a PA. As far as prescribing for Fibromyalgia, it is sort of a trial-and-error process... neither medication really treats the root cause of Fibromyalgia (which is still a matter of debate, so no medication truly treats the condition itself at present), but by blocking some of the pain pathways and helping to soothe and calm inflamed and irritated nerves, either can be effective - each person's body and body chemistry is different; thus, what works for one patient may not work as well (or at all) as for others. Another thing to consider is that narcotic pain medications are not the preferred front-line treatment for this condition, as they only tend to mask numerous other symptoms, and since Fibro is a diagnosis usually reached by ruling out other disease / conditions, prescribing medications that potentially mask any other symptoms is not generally advisable. So, if your doc has diagnosed you with Fibromyalgia, and is treating you with Opioid medications only, or as a first medication (especially in higher doses), I would strongly urge you to seek out a second, and even a third opinion.

[selmaS]

Thank you for this info on this topic.

[*Stormy*]

Thanks for sharing this with me!! I have an appt on Tuesday and I think I am going to ask my Dr to give that a try.

Carolyn

[608lion]

Hi Carolyn, I am on the 25mg 3x's a day with the Lyrica. It works a lot better for me than the 75mg's. The 75mg's made me very speedy! the 25mg's dull the pain some what. They also have recently put me on Epitol for facial spasms which makes me feel drunk for a couple hours after I take it.

[*Stormy*]

Sorry...I am weighing on this one a little late...

As I think Selma mentioned, a lot of us get misdiagnosed with FibroMyalgia...but then alternatively, in some studies they are now finding that ppl that have bee dx with FM actually have Chiari and that is the cause. Basically it's pain from nerve damage that I have and I was given Gaba first to try and deal with it. Right away, I realized that I could NOT take this medication in the day if I wanted to be able to function reasonably with my kids. I stayed on it for awhile at night, but like someone mentioned, the dose had to go up and up to keep helping. I started to notice that I was having extreme anxiety and mood swings, I didn't realize it was the Gaba until I went off it. As mentioned, Gaba is the generic of Neurotin not Lyrica. So, I went on Lyrica next and I have to say that it has had better effects. It is like Gaba put formulated differently, I still can't take it in the day b/c I get really dizzy and nauseated but I do take it at night. I still wasn't finding it to be helping all that much so my Dr added Amitriptyline as well as sort of an additive. That combination has been helping me sleep at night but I still have the same issue that by about 11 am every day that pain comes on full force again and I am pretty sure that is due to the meds wearing off. So MY mission is to find something that I can take during the day that won't compromise my mental function!!!! So frustrating...by my physiatrist mentioned trying to take small continual doses of Lyrica during the day, like in 25mg 3x's a day instead of one 75mg pill in the morning. Has anyone tried this or had luck with it? I am thinking I will probably give it a go but it will have to be on a weekend!!!

Carolyn

[chriss130]

I was on Gabapentin for a while. It did not make me have the IQ of a goldfish. The only problem that I had with them was they made me very sleepy. I started on 300mg a day then went up to 3xday. I had my own zip code, so I went down to 100mg a day, but still had the problem with making me sleepy. I also took Lyrica for a while, now that one made me feel like I was drunk all the time. If I was having a conversation with someone, my words were slurred really bad, believe me I don't need extra problems with slurred words. The Lyrica helped with the burning pain in my back and bottom lip, after a while, it finally quit working, so Dr. Bolognese in New York, told me to quit taking them, if they were not helping no need to take them. So now I have gone back to a muscle relaxer that one doctor gave me for muscle spams in my neck. They do help me sleep a little better. I only average about 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night.

Meds will interract differently with everyone. If there is someone home then it might not hurt to take them and see how the will effect you.

Kristi

[LisaM46]

I haven't read that anyone else had this reaction here, but for what it's worth, I'll give you my view.  I took gabapentin for about four days.  It made me VERY COMBATIVE!  And did absolutely nothing to help with the pain.  (And, really... who wants to fight with a goldfish?!)
I figured it wasn't worth torturing my family, so I quit taking it.
Lisa

[joyus12b]

I just filled my prescription for gabapentin today. I am about to google it now.

[Angel1781]

Thank you all for your help. As I said, I already seem to have the side effects from having this disease but I am nervous to take anything until I talk to an NS familiar w/Chiari.  This medicine was prescribed to me by my primary doctor prior to my diagnosis.

As for the pharmacy issues...i am very upset.  I had a wonderful pharmacy & pharmacist down the road from me but the Kroger pharmacy was right next door to it so they pretty much took my little hometown pharmacy over.  In my opinion the Kroger pharmacy here are nothing but drug pushers/dealers.  They take hours to days to fill prescriptions and they have lines in the middle of the grocery store so w/my anxiety and all the angry customers the pharmacist never explains the medicine they give me and I don't want to ask when I have a line of people behind me.  My old pharmacist used to just glance at his computer and see if the medicine i was getting was something I've had before, and if not he would explain it to me & tell me to eat food w/it or whatever.  I really miss them :(

[slt1021]

Gabapentin is primarily a anti siezure medication but is often used with chronic pain and chronic headaches.  Usually when being used for chronic pain it isnt always initially covered until other avenues have been exhausted as this is condider the off-label use.  It is getting covered more often though because it works for many.  Definately read up on it first and hopefully find a pharmacy that is more helpful because pharmasists can be an untapped wealth of information and supportive member of your health care team.... best of luck  ....

[sleepypea]

Hi just wanted to add I have buldging disks and a cervical fusion with bone spurs which caused nerve damage. The Gabapentin/neurontin was really good with dulling the nerve pain, but all the other complaints people are posting were also true for me. It will def. make you feel and talk stupid..lol...I would even find myself sitting around with my mouth open almost drooling. The side effects outweighed the benefits for me...Good Luck :)
Oh and btw lyrica wasn't much better but that was just my experience.

[Mazie1209]

Thanks selma, ok im going to google ibs, as I've told my hubby so many times I sometimes think I have that, but I want to see the exact symptoms, as I do have to watch what I eat, or my bowel movements are very, very, painful in my abdomen area...i never knew there could b a connection!
Mazie

[selmaS]

  IBS= Irritable Bowel Syndrome...many with chiari have both bowel and bladder issues.....

  Well u r lucky, but the fatigue is a chiari symptom too, so not sure it is a side effect of the med.

  "selma"

[Mazie1209]

I'm not familiar with what is ibs?? Im sure the abbreviation is throwing me off!
Tiredness and a small bit of weight gain are my only side effects!
Mazie :o)

[selmaS]

  Well the info I gave u was on Lyrica...I really should give u info on gabapentin....from what others with chiari have noted on this med....it can appear to help in the beginning but the longer u r on it the effectiveness wears off.

Here is a link for gabapentin -http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000940&rct=j&sa=X&ei=W3NkTbqfG5G_gQeZt-mWAg&ved=0CCgQ4wEwAA&q=gabapentin&usg=AFQjCNGcGux8aEp5Y0gGDVauGGbbo_8xNw


I am so glad u r getting help from the forum : )
  "selma"

[Angel1781]

If it is for migraines then I do take Imitrex for that and it is the only thing that I have found that works but I know not for long.  The headaches are getting worse & more frequent.  I have an appt w/my second NS this Friday and will see what kind of meds he thinks I should be on.  I am too nervous to take it now after reading the side effects.  And I also have some IBS issues (which now I am seeing it is from CM) and do not want to aggravate that more.  Even the Motrin seems to upset my stomach and it's barely even touching my excruciating pain so that's pointless too.  

Thank you all for your suggestions!  

[Angel1781]

You always have the best information or where to go to get it.  Thank you and I looked up the website but I don't think it will help me.  I am currently taking Imitrex for the migraines which do help for now and baclofen (muscle relaxer) to help me sleep and I take Xanax when needed for my anxiety/panic attacks but it can also sometimes help for the pain I have noticed now.  However I am in horrific pain right now in my neck that radiates down my right shoulder and my right arm & hand go numb/tingling.  It's even hard to type or write for me lately.  And some pain in my lower back...it seems that the whole right side of my body is deteriorating.  I am in so much pain in that aspect & no relief because my family doctor does not like giving pain meds.  2 years ago my family doctor did not listen to me about my headaches & neck pain and he would just crack my neck and send me on my way so I never went back.  I finally got the courage to get a new doctor because the pain & headaches just were getting worse & more chronic and he doesn't believe in pain meds! I went to the urgent care a couple wks ago and got a shot for my migraine & Motrin 800mg and they gave me hydrocodone to take the edge off but just enough to get through the weekend cause I was going to my first appt w/an NS.  As I have said before that was a horrible appt and just left me more confused & upset and still no relief.  So now I am just taking a lot of really hot baths and hoping to find relief in my sleep...which sux because nightime used to be my time.  Being a stay-at-home mom it's the only time I have to myself and I used to enjoy staying up late and doing all my housework I can't do during the day.  It is so hard to just to the basic household chores anymore and I even have trouble doing simple things like putting my baby to bed.  This disease has already taken so much from me, I just really need help right now.  My husband is very supportive & works long hours and still comes home and helps me as much as he can but my family is still not understanding what is going on w/me.  Since I have only gotten my information off of the internet they don't get it.  They don't use computers, let alone understand the internet and how real & informative it can be if you know how to navigate it well.  Plus it's hard for them to understand something they have never even heard of it and I try so hard not to show how much I am suffering.  I am trying to be strong and I will fight!  I cannot and will not keep living like this.  What keeps me going is knowing that there are beautiful, innocent children out there who have this and do not even have a voice and if they can get through each day...so can I!

Thank you so much again for your responses.  I am so happy I found this Forum.  It is also what helps me get through each day.

[selmaS]

  I have to agree, it is how well u tolerate a med u have to consider, I was on it as well and it affected me in a diff way and did not help me at all....it was supposed to help me sleep.....it did not....and it affected my IBS issues I had under control until I started the meds.....so, I stopped them.

AS u mentioned we r all diff, and not all will respond the same...I do not know what caregiver was RX'd the gabapentin for, all I know, it was not for chiari.

  "selma"

[Mazie1209]

Lol @ caregiver, but I take it, and I'm pretty sure my mental capacity hasnt sunk to goldfish level!  We all react differently to meds, for me it controls/gets rid of my headaches. Might not hurt to try...and have ur hubby monitor ur mental state and I.Q. For a couple days?

Mazie

[Angel1781]

Wow are you saying I shouldn't take it? lol You are frickin' hilarious.  Thank you for making me laugh my bootie off!  I even brought my husband in here and he laughed hard too :) And it's been a while since I got a good laugh. Thanx for that! Also thank you for the info & brilliant analogies.  I do not want to go through my day w/the mental capacity of a goldfish so I will throw them away or give them to someone I don't like...just kidding...lol.  I am just looking for something to help w/the pain not make my memory, headaches, etc worse! I looked at the website and saw the side effects and figured I already have all that so why not....but I am glad I looked on here. You should do a commercial for them...lol.  Thank you so much & I will not be opening that bottle!!

[Mazie1209]

I take 400 to 700mg a day of neurontin and have since I was dx'd my nl prescribed it, and it controls my headaches, maybe it will give u a small bit of.relief?? I hope so! Let us know!
Mazie

[selmaS]

  Hi...Gabapentin is not a generic for Lyrica, but Neurontin...Lyrica is used to treat Fibromyalgia....and many times chiari is mis-dx'd as Fibro...the symptoms for chiari r similar  to many diff conditions which is y getting a dx can be diff and many drs r more familiar with the other conditions then they r with chiari, so they feel it can not be chiari.

http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000327&rct=j&sa=X&ei=111kTcCoNZDrgQeY1sG4Ag&ved=0CCUQ4wEwAA&q=lyrica&usg=AFQjCNHQmJd4MlBY8asm6JJ8T6gmtq7wZA

The above link is info on Lyrica.

  "selma"