I just had a very bad experience with this drug. The drug was originally prescribed for epileptic seizures but it is also used to treat neurotic pain like the bake pain or diabetic foot pain that I suffer. the drug made me incredibly sleepy but that is not the worst of it. This drug can have devastating mental side effects like the ones in the following article:
The Gabapentin form was prescribed for me as part of my pain management treatment for my back. In my chore of filling out all those new patient forms for my new doc I forgot to tell her that I suffer from mild PTSD. Once again it was Amy to the rescue. She became concerned about some of the behavior changes I was showing and when she finally dragged it out of me that some of the dreams had returned she talked me into calling my doctor. Right away the doctor had me stop the Gabapentin. Huge difference! Darned sure glad I didn’t do some of the things I was thinking of doing to myself.
I am not saying don’t take this drug but I am saying take it with extreme caution. Be certain that you tell your doc about any issues like PTSD, Bipolar or etc…BEFORE they prescribe Neurontin (Gabapentin) for you. If you do take the drug have someone monitor you closely around the clock and report any mood/behavioral changes to the doctor immediately. Of course the drug affects everyone differently so your mileage may vary.
I am back to good old ibuprofen once a day. The epidural shots have really helped my back pain.
They prescribed neurontin for some chronic pain issues I have. After a few weeks of taking it my wife asked me what is wrong. I didn’t know what she meant until we discussed it. She said I was becoming very irritable and looking back on my behavior the past week she was right. I quit taking the drug and I am now back to my normal, somewhat grouchy self.
I agree be careful of the drugs you are prescribed.
Kerry,
Very glad your wife was being vigilant. I am glad nothing serious happened to you. Perhaps some on here that are doctors know for certain but I think the drug takes a while to take full effect as it builds up in your system. My doc says it affects everyone differently to a greater or lesser degree.
Tough enough to deal with chronic pain like this as it just grinds on you non stop. Toss in the side effects of the drugs and OMG! I am starting to think just like Mikey the Ohiotuber that this having a drug for everything, just take a pill for it society of ours is over medicated.
Now I am scaring myself with that thinking like “Tuber” stuff.
Eric,
You start that thinking like 'tuber stuff & you’ll soon be (to quote my younger brother, Art), “…eating & drinking all the wrong stuff, resisting all types of meds, & you’re the healthiest one in the whole da*n Family!” My Dr is equally frustrated…I’m not a high profit patient! :razz:
Seriously, as we discussed, NO Dr will ever convince me that folks with different body chemistries (and we are ALL different) can take the same meds/combination of meds as everyone else with the same ailment & experience the same result. That just makes no sense to me. Anyway, I’ll stick (for the most part) with my “mind over matter + Prayer” approach to pain, etc & hope my good luck continues.
End of Sermon.
Mike
