F.Michael Ferrante, MD: The Treatment of Neuropathic Pain with Neurontin and Lyrica Rx

[xBabyDragonx]

I was prescribed Neurontin for cervical stenosis, etc. and once the pain disappeared I stopped taking it. Luckily I went back to the dr and told her...I am back on it now, but my question is this: why did she not tell me about the possibility of seizures?? All she said was to keep taking it until my appt with neurosurgery. What were the chances of a seizure?

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@xBabyDragonx : We can't guess why other people do the things they do...we are only here to try to inform and educate. Your doctor and/or your pharmacist will know your medical history, your other medications, and they should both be able to answer your question about your specific chances of a seizure. (Actually, no one really knows....but each drug is given to a patient so that the "Benefits" outweigh the "Risks".

[rusureuwant2know]

"It may not help you but it won't hurt you" - Don't you believe it!!!

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@rusureuwant2know : each person is different and we appreciate your perspective. Fair and balanced.

[rusureuwant2know]

@VirtualMedSchool1 Neurontin was not created for neuropathic pain - they wanted it as a psychiatric drug, but could not get it approved for that so they got in the "back door" of neurology. Placebo effect.

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@rusureuwant2know : There are many drugs that are used for pain, even though they were developed for other reasons like seizures (gabapentin now used for pain from shingles), depression (amitriptyline hcl). We hear you and would like you to continue to give us your input.

[rusureuwant2know]

I had a nerve problem and this stuff didn't do me any good at all. What a crock - especially when you find out that they wanted it for psych purposes and couldn't get it approved for that - it was fraud from the start!

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@rusureuwant2know : Both psychiatry and pain management are difficult areas wherein there are many drugs to choose, but each person's body is different. What works for one person will not work for another. Some people try 7 or 8 different medications before finding the 1 that works. Please keep up your feedback...it is important for us all.

[edmondopowell]

took it for epilepy and tried to commit suicide a week later was even pulling the hair off myself. thats 7 years ago now and im cured from surgery neurongtin does more damage than help. complete profit scam

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@edmondopowell : every drug has side effects, and yours were intensely serious. I'm glad you have had the last 7 years to live, and I wish you the best. Thank you so much for reminding us that some medications can make matters worse, hence you need to keep following up with the doctor that gave you the prescription. We Thank God that you are ok and have the Best Wishes for you.

[edmondopowell]

@VirtualMedSchool1 way i look at it today is i cant understand how a doctor can be paid so much like a laywer to help? any1 earning that salary is noting near help but more corrupt in behaviour longterm like a businessman or banker. from the salery they earn. in other words there salary reflects their character for there knowledge of wanting to help later in life. i just dont understand how those who go into helping end up detroying in some cases and the pharmacutical is the same

[edmondopowell]

medications for to many things with side effects and less cures even doe the cure is probley found

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@edmondopowell : It is all a work in progress. Something as simple as a pill can not cure every one, but many drugs work for diabetes, for example. So it is not a perfect world and it is through this site that we hope to bring forward more education and communication. Wishing you the Best in 2012!

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@edmondopowell : Wow. So sorry to hear about the serious side effects you encountered, and we are glad that you got the help that you needed. Wishing you the best in 2012 and encouraging you to keep providing feedback.

[jd450lh]

Very interesting information Dr. Ferrante. I have been on Neurontin since last Tuesday and it worked extremely well in relieving my neck pain which is due to D.J.D. but on the other hand, the side effects that I encountered were very uncomfortable; dizziness and severe nausea. These side effects are now minimal but the pain relieving characteristics have seemed to worn off somewhat (I am presently taking 100mg 1-tablet at bedtime) to be continued.....

[jd450lh]

I have an appointment with my doctor on this coming Tuesday and I am going to discuss the side effects with her and the fact that the Neurontin has become less effective in relieving the neck pain which was allowing me to get a full night's rest with little or no pain. Would increasing the dosage of the Neurontin again cause the side effects to return?

Thanks for posting; I found the information to be very helpful.

God Bless,

Your Brother In Christ,

Jeff

[VirtualMedSchool1]

Make sure you are receiving Neuronyin because you have radicular pain, which is neuropathic. For just everyday DDD, it won't work; you have to have neuropathic pain for it to be effective.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike

[jd450lh]

Thanks Dr. Mike. I am going to see my neurologist on the 15th of this month and will discuss this with him and hopefully, I will gain more insight on the type of pain that I have.

God Bless,

Jeff

[DysautonomiaMD]

I just gained some insight myself, not being a Pain Specialist. What a wonderful case in point. Good thing you have a neurologist appt soon; that is a great answer to prayer! God is watching over us :-)!

Lots of Love,

Margaret

[jd450lh]

@ DysautonomiaMD ~ I am doing a video response to your video; Invisible Disease, Invisible P.J.'s (I hope I got that correct), describing what experiences and side effects I had while taking the Neurontin. I am going to study Dr. Mike's video in depth and through medical dictionaries and just common sense, I hope to be more informed when I visit my Neurologist on the 15th.

to be continued...

[jd450lh]

God is guiding each of us through our journey one step at a time and the longer we wait upon Him, the greater our faith will become (Isaiah 40:31).

Love

Your Brother In Christ,

Jeff

[VirtualMedSchool1]

As I head into surgery, your words are exactly what I spoke to Sandmancasthisspell......that these trials make our Faith stronger, and increase our Spirituality as we put our lives in His Hands. :-).

Lots of Love,

Your Sister in Christ,

Margaret

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@jd450lh : Wishing you the best, always. Hoping your pain is now much better, and hoping you have some bright prospects in 2012!

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@jd450lh : Most likely, you will have a better pain effect if the drug is taken 3 times / day. There is a chance that the side effects will continue. On the other hand, you really won't know until you run the 'experiment'. i.e. take 3X/day and see if it helps.

Discussing all with your health professional is wise; please continue to do so.

When Neurontin is used at night, it may have a beneficial effect on sleep, but it's pain-reducing effects are decreased.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike

[jd450lh]

@VirtualMedSchool1 ~ Thanks Dr. Mike. I had to discontinue taking them due to the side effects which were so severe, that I had to spend most of the day in bed. I have been very sensitive to the side effects of many medications throughout my lifetime and I seem to be tolerating the effects of the Verapamil that I am taking for prevention of migraines. It is effective for the most part, but I still occasionally have migraine headaches, but they don't seem to be quite as severe.

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@jd450lh : I take verapamil for basilar-type migraine, and I have not heard of many others that have the same Rx for migraines. It has helped me a lot, and our hope is that it becomes more effective for you, so your migraines become minimal.

God Bless You for all You Do,

Margaret

[jd450lh]

@VirtualMedSchool1 ~ Thanks Margaret. The Verapamil does help to minimize the amount of pain associated with the migraines that I experience, but I still do have them on a semi-regular basis. My prayers are with you too, my friend!

May Blessings and Good Health be sent your way,

Jeff

[VirtualMedSchool1]

@jd450lh : There are side effects to virtually (no pun intended) every pharmacological prescription drug. That is why we are looking at the Chinese herbal medicine patented formula and seeing how much it helps one person. Rejuvenate-U can be viewed on ArandaMD.com and it is still under construction. Hope that 2012 brings much good for us all!