New PMdoc, New Rx for Neurontin, Still in Pain

[el_em_en_oh]

So, I've started seeing a new PMdoc here in sunny Houston, as my old PMdoc filled me full of Opana & Dilaudid, which only lead to...

Carl: "Hi, my name is Carl, and I'm an addict."
NA Group: "Hiiii Caaarl."

Not saying that it was the PMdoc's fault that I ended up hooked & abusing my meds or anything. Step 1 (I am powerless...)

So anyway, I started seeing a different PMdoc, just yesterday as a matter of fact, and she took a pretty comprehensive look at both my medical history as well as my opiate abuse/addiction. My wife was there, so there was no hiding any of the meaty'bits that I'd rather have kept to myself. We get through my medical history/profile, and she mentiones all the different non-narcotic drugs she can put me on, and NEURONTIN comes up. I've heard of Neurontin, but don't know a lot about it.

I started last night with 300mg before bed, and she wants me to do that for a few days to see how I react. Then it's 1 at bedtime, 1 in the morning, to see how i fair. Then it's 1 at bedtime, 1 in the morning and 1 at lunch/dinner). And so on and so forth, building up to 3 in the morning, 3 at lunch/dinner & 3 before bed (a total of 2700mg's a day).

Question: Has anyone experienced any lasting pain relieving effects of Neurontin? I've been digging high and low on this site, and I've heard great things, and horrible things.

"Don't take Nuerontin... you'll get addicted!";
"Neurontin is a life-saver and has given me a new lease on life";
"Nerontin is the Devil! Stay away at all costs!!!";
"Neurontin is your best friend and will save your life";
"I took 65, 400mg, Neurontin's at the same time. I'm surprised I'm still alive".

I'm just curious what others have experienced, as far as Neurontin, managing their chronic pain. This PMdoc now knows my history of use/abuse and will be reluctant, at best, to prescribe anything narcotic in nature, so I'm stuck with the non-narcotic route. I'm putting my eggs into the Neurontin basket here, and have hopes that it works, because my pain is real, it's big, and it f*cking hurts all the time.

Does anyone have any feedback on Neurontin?

[mellie4]

Neurontin wasn't a good fit for me.  I found the side effects to be too much.  I had trouble word finding, speaking; I'd lose track of what I was talking about.  If someone asked me a question, I'd respond with some totally off the wall answer.  It helped with the pain a little but not enough to justify all the side effects.  I also tried Lyrica but I gained 15 pounds in 2 or 3 weeks on that (it came off when I stopped taking it.)  Some people can tolerate the side effects of Neurontin (or they don't get them) but I definitely couldn't.

[opus88]

I've been on neurontin for 7-8 years.....and I wouldn't be without it, I never ever miss a dose. It works on me for my nerve pain.
Originally started with 300mg at bedtime(8 yrs ago)...gradually built up to 1800mg thats 600mg 3x a day...its not working as good as it once was but I sure know when I'm an hour late taking the next dose....
I can't complain about side effects either, gained a bit of weight yes, sleepy yes but only for the first month or so (if I can remember correctly)...can't say I notice being overly fatigued now....
I was trialed at 2700mg for a month and it didn't work any better than the 1800mg did. My PMP put me on the higher dose, than my internist said it was a waste because studies have shown it was non therapeutic beyond the 1800mg.
but give it a go, don't worry about the side effects everyone is different. and almost any side effect is better than 'nerve pain'
good luck

[toolmaker]

I have been taking it for a few months and it seems to help, but has not been a wonder drug.
The memory loss is annoying to say the least.Give it some time it is not an overnight cure.I do hope that it helps you.

[Sarajmt]

Neurontin may do the trick for you.  If it does, great.  Don't worry how others react.  We all react differently.  

I couldn't take it but that doesn't mean you can't.

[sandee1818]

If you have someone you trust to administer you an extended release narcotic formula then you may consider that if the other methods do not work. I know it would be a hassle for you as well as your trusted friend/family member but if all else fails then this would be a last resort kind of thing you could try.
I am not telling to end your sobriety it is just I know what is like to live in pain 24/7 with no relief. If there are no more options availble then you have to have some kind of relief as living in that kind of pain day in day out is not living in my opinion.
Of course you would need your doctor to be on board with this. If there are no other options available after trying all the others then I am sure the doctor would be willing to work with you.
Your a ways from this point though, you have many other options to try but I wanted to give you a suggestion if things did not work out on the route your on now:)

[BP88]

I feel for you, brother.  I used to self-medicate since I was 19-years-old up to early 21.  I'm currently taking MS Contin legitimately now and undergoing other treatments such as cortisone injections and nerve burning treatments but so far the self-medicating worked the best.  It was an expensive, illegal habit but it did work for the time being.

[sandee1818]

I also tried Neurontin and I was just so content to sit in a chair and stare at the wall 24/7.
I had to get off of it and did. My family was really glad I did:)
It was horrible for me.
There are those that it helps too so do not let the bad reviews scare you.
My Dad has been on it for years and it helps him a great deal.
As you know all medications work differently for different people.
I hope it works out for you:)

[jamlws]

I'm not going to lie to you for me neurotnin was the devil in pill form. I know of people that it really helps and people that it dont. For me it made me fall asleep while driving, it make me fall asleep while using the bathroom (sorry but it did) it made me swell up like a freaking ballon my hands and ankles was so swollen it hurt to move them. It made me forget stuff all the time, fall down the stairs, since stopping it I have not falling down the stairs once but on it I did 5 times. I was really confused while I was on it oh and it made me gain 30 pounds. My nerve dr just kept raising my doses til I said enough I'm done with that pill. He wanted me to take 8 pills a day and I was til I said enough is enough. I no longer go to that dr. It might work for you so I would try it and it takes some time for the side effects to get better, just keep a eye on your self and see how you do on it or have your wife keep a eye on you. Oh and it did help for a few months and then nothing, didn't help at all. That is the bad thing about meds in that group it can work good for awhile and then just stop working. Good luck
Jamie

[el_em_en_oh]

Oh yeah, and NO... I have not tried anything besides narcotic pain-meds. My last PMdoc fed me pills and didn't really tell me of other options, and quite frankly, at the time I was A-OK with that.

My new PMdoc has already suggested some herbal stuff, E-stim, some sort of spinal-block thingy, and acupuncture. I'm going to try the easy way (Nuerontin) before I start getting aggressive with this thing.

Let's see where modern meds can get me before I start trying the Eastern VooDoo stuff (that I think is mostly hooey, I might add).

[el_em_en_oh]

Hello there fellow Houstonian (Jaybay)...

You're not kidding about having a sh1tpot of PMdocs to choose from. I had my pick of the litter the first go-round, but it landed me with a nasty little habit and in rehab, so I'm going to let the experts handle my medication and dosing from now on. No more self-medicating for me!

My chronic-pain stems from left-side renal cysts (Bosniak Cat. 2F). They're simple cycst and only showing minor signs of calcification presently, so fingers crossed it stays that way or I'm a shoe-in for renal cancer (I'm more than likely going to get it anyway, cysts or no, with my renal history).

Anyway, renal cysts cause pain, mine happen to be mostly inoperable (everything that they can operate on they have operated on and removed), so I'm stuck with inoperable cysts that cause constant pain. Honestly, it's a walk in the park compared to some of the stuff I've seen on this site, but it's MY pain and relative to others, it may be slight, but to me it's pretty huge.

[Jaybay]

I never tried neurontin (or "morontin" as it's also known for mental side effects) but I did try topomax for a while.  Topomax is a similar medication.  I got every side effect listed including tongue paralysis.  These meds can be a great blessing or a great curse and there is no telling how a patient will react to them.  They act on the central nervous system, so weird things can crop up.  Usually you need to titre up slowly and taper off slowly.  If neurontin doesn't help or the side effects are too severe, there are plenty of other meds in that class to try.

What condition do you have that causes your pain?  Have you tried anything aside from narcotics to treat it?  I'm a Houstonian too.  At least we have plenty of pain docs to choose from.  :-)