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Gabapentin

Started by D Hagens, November 05, 2011, 01:34:17 PM

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D Hagens


So the Doc prescribed me this yesterday for the pain in my back, shoulders and knees.
For the duration of the summer he asked me to think long and hard about taking morphine. I came to the conclusion that the addiction that goes along with morphine isn't worth it.
Has anyone been on this stuff and is there any bad side affects?

Jeff

Yes!  They had me on it in 2006 during my problems with my left shoulder. That was one of the worst times of my life, and I blame much of it on that drug. My mind was messed up big time. They told me it was a nerve pain medicine. I also remember having to be brought down off from it, but I don't remember much about that. I'd never take it again.   I can't say my experience relates to what you might experience, as everyone is different, but you asked, and I'm telling you. Never again.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

doctorb

Also called neurontin.  It's used a lot.  It's not a pain reliever, but a medicine used to decrease the irritability of peripheral nerves.  Given to diabetics with bad neuropathy, spine issues related to nerve root compression, and people with nerve injuries.  I have seen people on it for an extended period of time without a problem, but some complain that it may lose it's effectiveness over time.

Jeff, they must have felt that you had some  brachial plexus nerve irritation to be placed on neurontin.  I have never seen it used in a situation like yours, with a torn up rotator cuff.  There's no indication for it in that clinical scenario.  I simply don't understand why you were put on that medicine.  Tell everyone that your shoulder's doing well now!

It can make you drowsy and irritable, just like me ;D
My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor.  So far, he's only become a doctor."

D Hagens

 Thanks for the reply Jeff.
I'm finding that I feel very confused, seem to be out of it. The pharmacy lady said that it will hit me fast and to be careful if I have to drive. Really don't think driving would be a great idea at the moment.
I talked to a lady the other day and she told me about hot yoga, never heard of it.
It's suppose to be really good for pain, must look in to it.

Jeff

Doctorb, in the beginning of my adventures back at that time, remember, this is a totally different shoulder and event this recently, my pain and disfunction was not diagnosed as a cuff problem. I was sent by work to a specific doctor. He insisted that my job was causing some sort of repetitive movement nerve damage. They had me on all kinds of stuff including the gabapenton and other pain killers. Eventually I sought my own doctor and then was diagnosed after an MRI with the cuff problem. Comp then sent me to another one of their doctors who did something arthiriscopically that still did not cure the problem. Then they did another procedure called a Mumford procedure. (probably spelled wrong.) This still did not help. I then sought my own doctor again, and via another MRI they saw that the original tear was still there but worse. I had surgery again and eventually got better.  This all started with the drugs and cheap comp doctors wanting cheap cures and ended with my not having a job, or anything to show for 25 years of work in order to get myself healed up. Through much of this whole ordeal, they still kept giving me drugs.
Just call me the midget doctor.
Forestry Forum Founder and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.

Commercial circle sawmill sawyer in a past life for 25yrs.
Ezekiel 22:30

Reddog

Quote from: D Hagens on November 05, 2011, 02:13:51 PM
  I'm finding that I feel very confused, seem to be out of it.

I took it and had the same issues. Also watch it with alcohol, I found a couple ounces of beer could put me out.
Finally decided it didn't do anything for me and quit using it. I had no issues or side affects stopping.

What is causing the pain issues?
The reason I ask is maybe some thing like injections could be used to help at the nerve issue.

WH_Conley

I took it with an outbreak of shingles, never saw any side effects, only on it for a short time,  I, or my wife, couldn't tell anything mentally. I guess I was hurting too bad to know, or was already crazy. My wife has been on it for years for "restless leg syndrome" I believe, she is getting contrarier every day, doubt the drug has anything to do with that. Her sister can't take it at all.
Bill

doctorb

These varied responses are exactly what I would expect from different patients taking thismdrug for different reasons.

Jeff-  sorry about your saga.  Some people really feel there's some sort of collusion between employers and workmans comp docs.  I have seen a lot of significant delays in diagnosis and treatment when patients have been forced to take the path that you did.  Seems odd to me though, while there are some nerve entrapment syndromes in the shoulder that can develop from repetitive actions, rotator cuff tears are very common and should always be ruled out as the cause of the pain.  Go figure.  You should have called me back then. I could've found you a real doc! ;)
My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor.  So far, he's only become a doctor."

thecfarm

My wife has taken it for about about 8 years. It's a wonder drug for her. Started to use it for a bad wreck,she was up to 3000mg down to 200 now a day. She was having alot of "spells" due to the wreck,but is much better now.The Dr wanted to get more blood flow to her brain. Seems to help out the pain in her knees too. She has not noticed any side affects from 3000 to 200 that she takes now. She also the type that will have any and probably any side affect that is listed too. Have the Dr start you out with a little than slowly increase until he/she gets it to where they want it. I cannot say enough good about it from what I have seen with my wife.
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

Ron Scott

VA doctor had me on it years back when I had a nerve problem in my left arm before I had carpel tunnel surgery. I had no effects from it that I was aware of.
~Ron

D Hagens

Quote from: Reddog on November 05, 2011, 04:23:02 PM

What is causing the pain issues?
The reason I ask is maybe some thing like injections could be used to help at the nerve issue.

I'm not sure what's causing the pain, either too many years of construction or bones just getting old.
It seems like about 5 years ago this all started and it's at the point that I'm almost blind with pain in my knees when I'm working hard.
My back is so bad that most nights I don't sleep because of the pain.
I'm thinking the doc just put me on this stuff to see what happens. The big picture down the road if nothing works is another MRI or try morphine.
He knows that I have really bad arthritis and there's not much that can be done about that.
Hopefully he has a solution when I go see him again at the end of the month.

Reddog

Quote from: D Hagens on November 07, 2011, 04:27:07 PM
The big picture down the road if nothing works is another MRI or try morphine.
He knows that I have really bad arthritis and there's not much that can be done about that.
Hopefully he has a solution when I go see him again at the end of the month.

I would advise for a MRI to find the root of your back pain. You may find some of your knee pain is tied with it.
And arthritis can be treated quite well now days.
My other advise would be to find a better Doc for a second opinion.

doctorb

Your level of discomfort and dysfunction dictate the need for a second opinion and work-up, without question.  What type of doc/specialist are you currently seeing?
My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor.  So far, he's only become a doctor."

D Hagens


Reddog, yup, an MRI is what I'm going to be requesting at the end of the month.
You state that arthritis can be treated but I've never heard anything about treatments. Is there something out there that I've overlooked?

Doc, my level of discomfort and dysfunction has pretty much put me out of work and the mental side affects that I've created in my own mind is hard to deal with as well.
At the moment I'm just seeing a family doc that does more work in the hospital then spending time in the office. He's a really great guy that listens and asks lots of questions. Like he told me he wants to take everything one step at a time.
The other doc I was seeing really pushed the narcotics and that's why I changed docs.
As this is a new doc he hasn't sent me to any specialists yet but I'm sure he will.
In the past I've seen a nerve doc and he said that I have fibro but I'm told there's no such thing. Also seen bone docs, and a muscle doc with no results.
When you say a work-up what exactly do you mean by this?

doctorb

D Hagens

1)  You need someone to do a detailed neurologic exam.  This can differentiate and isolate where your nerve disfunction is arising within the spine.  A normal neurologic exam means that the nerves are not involved enough to be detected by sensation and strength testing.  This is a most important step, and is usually not done properly by local MD's and family practicioners.  As helpful as this group of docs are on the front line of care, spinal issues are best diagnosed by someone who does this sort of thing over and over again.  I find many offices have a physiatrist, an MD who used to be called Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, who performs this function.  Seeing a spinal surgeon is not helpful until you know you need surgery.  If you go to a spinal surgeon for screening  and diagnosis of your back problem, only 2 outcomes are possible.  they either don't think you need surgery, and they ignore you, or they think you do need surgery, which means an immediate second opinion is required.

2)  MRI  gives good indications of nerve impingment and compression.  By itself is NOT an indication for surgery.  Only provides an anatomical correlation of the abnormalities found on physical examination (PE) and the anatomy.  If the PE and the MRI don't correlate, don't have an operation.

3)  Epidural steroids, facet injections and discograms are used tio diagnose and treat spinal problems.  They are secondary tests once an abnormality has been found.

I don't want to come at you too hard after reading your posts, because I obviously don't know your case well, but my gut reaction is that your head is in the sand a bit here.  No offense intended.  If you can't live the way you are, find someone who can do a real spinal exam and let him try to diagnose your problem.  Your local doc can not do that, IMO.  As you know, not all spinal related issues have good outcomes or are even amenable to treatment.  But it's better to find out what your problem is and deal with it, than not finding out, increasing your frustration.  My advice is to go after it, now.
My father once said, "This is my son who wanted to grow up and become a doctor.  So far, he's only become a doctor."

mooleycow

i have osteo arthritis and degenerative disc disease.  I have had numerous x-rays and mri's.  So many that i sleep in mri tube.  I had my first epidural this summer.  i have been living with chronic pain in back and down both legs for almost 20 years.  I live on celebrex.  Flare ups get prednazone.  i been through about 10 surgerys. none  on the spine.  i still enjoy a high adrenaline lifestyle.  i went to the sugeon for right rotator cuff.  He told me i did not have a tear.  i told him to do an mri.  Results were a massive tear.  5 years later back to same surgeon again.  Again he told me no tear.  i told him to do mri. He said ok we will do it with contrast. Results were massive tear left rotator.  Swimming will give you back full range of motion.  Did not tell surgeon or pt but i was swimming half mile before completed  pt.  Had radiculopathy last nov.  Got right doctor. Kenalog and toradol.  Getting old hurts.

Paper Maker

   I took it for about a week. I could hardly keep my eyes open the whole time and no break from the pain. I've been taking lortab for the last four or five weeks just so I could keep working. In the morning I'm having surgery on my neck and I hope I'll be through with them.

D Hagens

Quote from: doctorb on November 08, 2011, 02:28:48 PM
D Hagens

1)  You need someone to do a detailed neurologic exam.  This can differentiate and isolate where your nerve disfunction is arising within the spine.  A normal neurologic exam means that the nerves are not involved enough to be detected by sensation and strength testing.  This is a most important step, and is usually not done properly by local MD's and family practicioners.  As helpful as this group of docs are on the front line of care, spinal issues are best diagnosed by someone who does this sort of thing over and over again.  I find many offices have a physiatrist, an MD who used to be called Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, who performs this function.  Seeing a spinal surgeon is not helpful until you know you need surgery.  If you go to a spinal surgeon for screening  and diagnosis of your back problem, only 2 outcomes are possible.  they either don't think you need surgery, and they ignore you, or they think you do need surgery, which means an immediate second opinion is required.

2)  MRI  gives good indications of nerve impingment and compression.  By itself is NOT an indication for surgery.  Only provides an anatomical correlation of the abnormalities found on physical examination (PE) and the anatomy.  If the PE and the MRI don't correlate, don't have an operation.

3)  Epidural steroids, facet injections and discograms are used tio diagnose and treat spinal problems.  They are secondary tests once an abnormality has been found.

I don't want to come at you too hard after reading your posts, because I obviously don't know your case well, but my gut reaction is that your head is in the sand a bit here.  No offense intended.  If you can't live the way you are, find someone who can do a real spinal exam and let him try to diagnose your problem.  Your local doc can not do that, IMO.  As you know, not all spinal related issues have good outcomes or are even amenable to treatment.  But it's better to find out what your problem is and deal with it, than not finding out, increasing your frustration.  My advice is to go after it, now.

Doc, been thinking this evening about how I can explain to the doc exactly what you wrote and I decided the best way is to print this off and let him read it. I'm thinking that you guys talk the same talk, it all makes sense to me but me thinks it's better if he reads this. :)
I'm going to keep this thread updated as I progress just in case anyone ends up going down (up) the same road that I'm on.
Lot's of great advise and experiences here :)

mometal77

Gabapentin is also used for anti seizure medication for Epilepsy.  Injections i was told to stay away from by my PT over the steroids they use will eventually do hard to your bones.  But that is with repeated usage and with injections and PT and massage can help. Acupuncture i was told to try and works wonders from a friend who is an mri tech in arizona who had leg pain.

Ripleys believe it or not on number 4.  For back pain man uses his hands that heats up. Kinda neat.
http://www.ranker.com/list/10-amazing-real-life-superhero-technologies-and-gadgets-and-powers/john-barryman

Along with Cyclobenzapr is another one. Good subject glade it was brought up.  
Too many Assholes... not enough bullets..."I might have become a millionaire, but I chose to become a tramp!

D Hagens


Well so far it seems that my back pain is about 75% gone, all most all my knee pain is gone. I go walking everyday and it's like a chore as the pain nearly knocks me out but the last few days I've been feeling great 8)
Now with all good there's all ways some bad :o
I seem to have lost my emotions, have no great feelings towards the wife, almost treating her like a buddy :o I feel like I just want to grab my dog and go to the cabin and hike the mountains everyday........feel like I just got a new lease on life and I want to be alone to enjoy it :o
I'm really feeling tempted to break all Christmas plans and just travel up the coast, just me and my puppy :)
I haven't talked to Darla about any of this, I'm hoping that it's just a side affect that will go away.
The other thing I notice is that I shake alot and I really don't like that :o

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