Neurontin, long term use

[maxj]

I have been taking Neurontin for 12 months now, since nerve damage occurred during total hip replacement surgery last year.  I am currently taking 3600mg/day (900mg x 4) and have been at this dosage for 6 months, previously at 2400mg/day.  I have recently had a neurostimulation system implanted for the neuropathic pain, but use of Neurontin is still called for at this point due to symptoms.  My concern is with long term use and side effects of Neurontin (mid-forties male, 170 lbs).  Can you please enlighten me regarding this question?  
Thank you in advance.

[deb52]

I have been taking neurontin for fibromyalgia pain. 600mg daily in 3 doses. It worked pretty good for about 6 mo. It did decrease the pain level I was suffering and I thought I had found a wonder drug. 3 weeks ago I noticed a tremor in my hand every morning. It lasted about an hour and would reappear thru the day. I also became unable to follow a conversation as my memory seemed to be failing. It only got worse from there with problems focusing my eyes, dizzy. I became unable to remember what I had just said. I too tried to stop the med cold turkey and found out within 8 hours I could not do that as I became ill with stomach cramps, headaches, shakes and even more mental fog than I suffered from the med.  I have been cutting back over the last 3 weeks and am finally stopped suffering withdrawal. I am still feeling foggy and anxious. But the tremors stopped and the numerous adverse effects I was feeling are fading away. My Dr. said the neurontin was not causing my symptoms but when I asked to be referred to a neurologist to see what the problem could be, I was told I didn't need to be referred that I was just having fibro symptoms. Well I can tell you it was not fibro symptoms. It was nothing more than an adverse reaction to neurontin. All these symptoms are described in the adverse reaction section of any PDR. I really wanted this drug to work for me as I am in quite a bit of pain and don't want to take narcotics.  But I think not enough research has been done on this medication. My Dr had told me I was not taking a high enough dose and we tried to raise the dosage over a few weeks. But I started having adverse reactions similar and some were exactly the same as what I began experiencing before I took it upon myself to stop the med. So please folks. Do pay attention and be careful. I still don't know if all the adverse symptoms this med caused me will leave entirely. I sure hope so.

[Bad Billy]

I experienced Neurontin withdraw symptoms back in March similar to those described above.  It took me 2 months to get off it.  I suffer from Bi-Polar Type II and think that maybe that had something to do with the problems I experienced.  A couple weeks ago I woke up with the same feeling that the abscence of neurontin presented back in March.  Now I went 6 months without a problem, then wham.  Has anyone ever heard of that occurring?  Can the neurontin withdraw be protracted or cause permenent damage?

[Bunni]

I had a menengioma brain tumor (5.3 cm) frontalobal removed in August'03 - it was benign and completely removed.  The neurologist placed me first on Dilantin for seizure control, although the only seizure I ever had was one prior to finding out I had a tumor - Dilantin adversely affected my liver so I was removed over a 2 week transition period to Neurotin - 1600 mg per day and 25 mg of Topamax per day. I keep reading that Neurontin is not particularly good for seizure control so why am I taking it? It is very expensive and I am expected to take it for up to one year- I have been told that I need to take this to normalize my brain waves that are presently too active.  I'm reading about Neurontin as a pain reliver but I'm experiencing constant aches and pains, particular in my legs - also have swelling in my right leg, and ankle, painful left toe, what is this all about - the doctors say it is not related.  I also have mood swings and can't seem to tolerate much stress.

[DryInTexas]

I have been on neurontin now for 11 months. My use of it is a little unorthodox. In January of this year, my psychiatrist preprescribed it (along with other meds) to ease my anxiety after stopping drinking alcohol. She ramped me up on it slowly and I eventually reached about 2,000 mg/day. Currently, I take 600 mg in the a.m. and 300 mg again at noon. I don't know when or if she plans to get me off it. She says it's a harmless drug and that a patient can be weaned off of it at any time. The only side-effects I've experienced (and still do, but to a lesser extent than in the beginning of treatment) is dizziness and sleepiness, but both are manageable at this point. I found this site because I was concerned about long-term use of the drug. Does anyone else here take it for reasons other than pain?

[n2flying]

Hi folks...I appreciate this nice forum.  

I have been taking neurontin for six months for polyneuropathy at low doses and it reduced my pain and increased my endurance without discomfort.  My side effects were just a little nasal dryness and initially (first two weeks or a month) some slight fuzziness just after taking the dosage.

Does anyone know what would be a natural (herbal, supplement) replacement for this drug?  I read above that Magnezium might be one.  Has anyone tried this, or know of something else that would work?

Thanks

[n2flying]

Hi folks...I appreciate this nice forum.  

I have been taking neurontin for six months for polyneuropathy at low doses and it reduced my pain and increased my endurance without discomfort.  My side effects were just a little nasal dryness and initially (first two weeks or a month) some slight fuzziness just after taking the dosage.

Does anyone know what would be a natural (herbal, supplement) replacement for this drug?  I read above that Magnezium might be one.  Has anyone tried this, or know of something else that would work?

Thanks