Does anyone else take Neurontin?

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prissykitty

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I have been taking Neurontin off and on for pain since my riding accident last January. I can't sleep at night unless I take it right before I go to bed. But when I take it before I go to bed and then I don't go right to sleep, I read or something then after a while I get so wired and I can't sleep.

This drug makes me feel like I think I would feel if I were taking speed or something. Although I don't really know since I;ve never done that. But I mean 2 hours after I take it my heart starts racing and I get all jittery and I clench my jaw and grind my teeth unintentionally and all my muscles feel tense.

I have talked to my doctor and he said I am taking a relatively low dose so not to worry about it and to just "deal" as best I can. He told me some people have to take the 600mg (I think, might be 500mg) pills several times a day or two at a time to control their pain. I just can't imagine taking that much, i think I would have a heart attack! I just take one at night and that is plenty.

Does anyone else take this drug? Does it have the same effect on you? it is 2:20 am and I am WIDE awake!!! I hate this, then I will sleep all day tomorrow and that really bothers me...
 
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mom of franz

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PrissyKitty said:
I have been taking Neurontin off and on for pain since my riding accident last January. I can't sleep at night unless I take it right before I go to bed. But when I take it before I go to bed and then I don't go right to sleep, I read or something then after a while I get so wired and I can't sleep.

This drug makes me feel like I think I would feel if I were taking speed or something. Although I don't really know since I;ve never done that. But I mean 2 hours after I take it my heart starts racing and I get all jittery and I clench my jaw and grind my teeth unintentionally and all my muscles feel tense.

I have talked to my doctor and he said I am taking a relatively low dose so not to worry about it and to just "deal" as best I can. He told me some people have to take the 600mg (I think, might be 500mg) pills several times a day or two at a time to control their pain. I just can't imagine taking that much, i think I would have a heart attack! I just take one at night and that is plenty.


I had the reverse effect. I took neurontin as one of my meds for bipolar disorder. It was used as a mood stabilizer. In the end it did not work very well as a mood stabilizer. I was taking, I believe about 2400mg/day--in divided doses, eventually, it was shown in studies not to work as well as let's say lithium or depakote as a mood stabilizer. That said, I took my biggest dose at bedtime, and I swear I did not dent the pillow before I was asleep like a bear in winter. Everyone is different. This is why I get my dander up when people say point blank, this med is awful, or this is the best med ever invented. Everyone reacts differently--you mileage WILL vary.
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prissykitty

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Originally Posted by Mom of Franz

I had the reverse effect. I took neurontin as one of my meds for bipolar disorder. It was used as a mood stabilizer. In the end it did not very well as a mood stabilizer, I was taking, I believe about 2400mg/day--in divided doses, eventually, it was shown in studies not to work as well as let's say lithium or depakote as a mood stabilizer. That said, I took my biggest dose at bedtime, and I swear I did not dent the pillow before I was asleep like a bear in winter. Everyone is different. This is why I get my dander up when people say point blank, this med is awful, or this is the best med ever invented. Everyone reacts differently--you mileage WILL vary.
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See that is just the thing, my husband has taken one of mine on occasion when he has had some pain and it knocks him out. It is just so bizzare to me that it has the absolute opposite effect on me! I mean I didn't get to bed until 4 am this morning!
 
scamperfarms

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I think there is a class action law suit starting reguarding this drug. Do not quote me for sure. But i would do a google on it ASAP. and smack your doctor for telling you to "deal" I wortk for an answering service. and we answer for several class action law suit lawyers..and if i am not mistaken..this is one for a firm called Jacoby and Meyers.
 
ollyextra05

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I can't believe your doctor told you to "deal"!
I suggest you get a second opinion from another doctor--are you seeing a specialist or a general practicioner?
 
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If you are taking it once a day for pain, and it works, why can't you take it in the morning if it is interfering with sleep? Or if you need it at night for pain, could you ask for a sleeping pill for the nights when you don't get to sleep right away? A doctor telling you to deal with it is very rude!

I am a psych nurse, and we use Neurontin quite a bit for bipolar, anxiety, and even nerve pain. Mostly, I have seen it have minimal side effects for people.

Good luck, I hope your doc starts listening better, or you find a better doc!
 
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Originally Posted by ScamperFarms

I think there is a class action law suit starting reguarding this drug. Do not quote me for sure. But i would do a google on it ASAP. and smack your doctor for telling you to "deal" I wortk for an answering service. and we answer for several class action law suit lawyers..and if i am not mistaken..this is one for a firm called Jacoby and Meyers.
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Jacoby and Meyers are a bunch of ambulance chasers. I have quite a few friends who are reputable lawyers, and they would be a laughingstock if it wasn't so serious. As far as a class action suit...I can see entering one if a med had caused you severe damage...but because you can't sleep??? Or if the med is not working as expected? That's utter nonsense and a waste of the judicial process. In this case it's the doctor who needs a talking to--not a suit against a pharmaceutical.
 
scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by Mom of Franz

Jacoby and Meyers are a bunch of ambulance chasers. I have quite a few friends who are reputable lawyers, and they would be a laughingstock if it wasn't so serious. As far as a class action suit...I can see entering one if a med had caused you severe damage...but because you can't sleep??? Or if the med is not working as expected? That's utter nonsense and a waste of the judicial process. In this case it's the doctor who needs a talking to--not a suit against a pharmaceutical.
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Woah..I was just passing on the info. I know nothing about the firm itself. I just take their after hours calls.

And no..I didnt say she could join because she cant sleep. But i personally like to know anything and everything being listed about a medication. Especially when there is a class action law suit. that no doubt has more dangerous things, like you stated.

I was just offering info that might not be known. not saying she should join up.I for one wouldnt take meds that were involved in a class action big time suit. but thats just me. I also will never take premerian or anything affiliated with it. and I agree the doctor needs the talking too.
 
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mom of franz

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Originally Posted by ScamperFarms

Woah..I was just passing on the info. I know nothing about the firm itself. I just take their after hours calls.

And no..I didnt say she could join because she cant sleep. But i personally like to know anything and everything being listed about a medication. Especially when there is a class action law suit. that no doubt has more dangerous things, like you stated.

I was just offering info that might not be known. not saying she should join up.I for one wouldnt take meds that were involved in a class action big time suit. but thats just me. I also will never take premerian or anything affiliated with it. and I agree the doctor needs the talking too.
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Why you may not have intended it you were just passing on the idea of suing...It's the American Way, now a days. There is nothing wrong with suing for legitimate reasons but we have here in the county SUE-MANIA!
 
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I took Neurontin after I got hit head on by a man driving 55mph. --I'm lucky to be alive! But I had neurogenic pain and it did help, to some degree....
Here are the list of side effects as written on Webmd.com
The following side effects are associated with Neurontin Oral:

Common side effects:
Involuntary Eye Movement Severe
Voluntary Movement Difficulty Severe
Double Vision Less Severe
Blurred Vision Less Severe
Problems with Eyesight Less Severe
Muscle Pain Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Low Energy Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Fluid Retention in the Legs, Feet, Arms or Hands Less Severe


Infrequent side effects:
Depression Severe
Loss of Memory Severe
Easily Angered or Annoyed Severe
Mood Changes Severe
Change in Mental State Severe


Rare side effects:
Hyperactive Behavior Severe
High Blood Pressure Severe
Pneumonia Severe
Weak Reflexes Severe
Numbness and Tingling Severe
Large Purple or Brown Skin Blotches Severe
Decreased White Blood Cells Severe
Ringing in the Ears Less Severe
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Less Severe
Inflammation of the Nose Less Severe
Inflammation of the Gums Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Indigestion Less Severe
Irritation of the Stomach or Intestines Less Severe
Joint Pain Less Severe
Cannot Focus Thoughts Less Severe
Sensation of Spinning or Whirling Less Severe
Abnormal Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Puffy Face from Water Retention Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Weight Gain Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Throat Dryness Less Severe
Difficulty Speaking Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Throwing Up Less Severe
Gas Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Frequent Urination Less Severe
Exaggerated Deep Reflexes Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
Not Feeling Well Less Severe

--Hope this helps---OH--and I'd be looking for another doctor who is a bit more understanding and empathetic!
 
scamperfarms

scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by Mom of Franz

Why you may not have intended it you were just passing on the idea of suing...It's the American Way, now a days. There is nothing wrong with suing for legitimate reasons but we have here in the county SUE-MANIA!
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I agree. I roll my eyes nightly at what people want to sue for. But I dont see any harm in passing on the information...for a possibly harmfull medication. at least so it is made aware..
 
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gabapentin (generic name for neurrontin) is actually a pretty safe medication. I have both prescribed it AND taken it for chronic pain - and the ideal amt that you work up to for chronic pain is 900 mg a day (3 X 300 mg). It made me sleepy at first but my body adjusted to it. However, after aout a year, my pain became progressively worse so I've had to have procedures such as radiofrequency denervation which helped alleve "some" (but not much) of the pain.

The medication is not without its critics of course but among some of these meds that are scripted for so many things, it is at least pretty safe. And it affects everyone sifferently and no two ppl are alike. I really needed a good night's sleep and it actually helped me in that respect. But it made me too sleepy in the day time so I decreased the amt I took which may be responsible for its overall efficacy for me personally.

You should ask your pain management dctror - I am assuming this is who prescribed it for you - to try something else. I actually cannot see any reason for a GP tp prescribe it ort without the patient having tried every sort of alternative.

You should not take it if it bothers you and discuss alternatives with you pain mgment doc the next time you see him. (Tho the fact he suggested you "deal" with it really goes against any medical ethics I have ever heard of - and I serve on a medical ethics committee!! You might want to contact the local medical society and report that!
 
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