Gabapentin, anyone?

When I first started this nightmare, they gave me the Gab in a high dose to help with the nerve ending healing after my masectomies.  And then I was on it for awhile throughout the chemo and 14 months later I was as all of us were or are, beat down and sloshy and thinking geez oh pete!  I am taking all these meds and I hate them!  So when chemo was over and it was time for the Arimidex I said, I am not taking all these pills anymore and Gab was one of them.  So I went off.  Then the Arimidex was too hard on me so he switched me over to Tomoxifen and I had less bone pain.   So I was flashing so bad to the point there were no breaks in it at all.  So the doc gave me Effexor.  He wanted me to take a doze of 75 mil and I said nope, I will take half of that.  So he said, ok.   A couple of months went by and I was getting bad flashes and soaking the bed everynight in night sweats.  So I broke down and added a low dose of the Gabbepentin and it is working.  I think now I am getting the normal amount of flashes and sweats that people get.  I dont like taking it just like I dont like taking any other pill I have to pop, but thus is the life of a cancer patient.  So I said suck it up buttercup you will get through this.   I take all my meds at night simply because that is my pattern or else I forget. 

Hugs and prayers to you,

Annie

 effexor 37.5 mil  and Gabbepentin 300 mil.  ea 1 X day

Raysbabe said:

Effexor, you're not my friend!

Hello beautiful ladies! I too tried the gabapentin, but ceased taking it. I have thought now that my mastectomy is giving me fits, it may be time to reconsider. Annie, word of warning...I went on the effexor for the hot flashes etc. and noticed that it was making me pack on the weight. I'm not expecting to be model skinny every again, just too cheap to buy new clothes. Anyway, the effexor helps a lot with nerve pain it seems? It didn't help me at all with hot flashes or the menopausal symptoms I was praying it would ease off some. Anyway, long story short, I took effexor for around 5 months. I gained around 20 lbs and decided I may need to cease taking them because my cons outweighed (literally) my pros. That particular medicine was the worst, absolute worst I have ever had withdraws from! Be warned if you decide to stop, taper off and not pull a me and cold turkey. I had brain zaps for around 3 weeks, and the neuropathy sensations were outrageous. After everything we've already been through, they need to prescribe something a little less crazy. Good luck with your journey and I'm relieved these are working for you. Not trying to scare anyone, but thought I would offer a warning. I was shocked into a reality check, or brain zapped lol.

Prayers and hugs to all

Tam

I totally get the brain zap thing.  Been there done that.  ahhh!  In 2001, my son was diagnoised with cancer.  My world just fell and I was a complete mess.  Then my mother was diagnoised, then my grandma.  So I had 3 of the most important people in my world with cancer and I was a mess.  So the doc put me on a low dose of Lexapro to be able to cope with it all.  Then they all got better and bam, my son's returned, and I was a mess over it.  Back to the Lex for me and it helped.  And we repeated this cycle 3 more times before he was "healed".  He would then have to like we do go back for testing.  He had to do that for 10 years.  In the meantime, my mother's came back 3 more times in different areas.  There was no sense in going off the Lexapro for me.  I was PTSD by then and in order for me to cope and help them, I had to have that help.  Now Praise God my son is cancer free and doing well.  My mother passed away 6 years ago and my grandmother passed 8 years ago.  And there is a total of 20 family members who have had cancer and only a 3rd has made it. 

So then I get the diagnosis and I was not surprised and I think for the most part, I was really calm.  But because of the medications that I had to be on, not all of them mixed with Lexapro so it had to be changed.  Not just a well instead of taking this pill, just pop that one tonight.  No, not so easy.  So coming down from the Lex was a many brain zapping moments.  I need the effexor for my anxiety and it is reported it does aid with hot flashes so that was a postive for me.  However, I insisted on a the lowest dose so when I go off it, and I will one day, it will be a lilttle easier.  

Hugs to you and many blessings,

Annie

Raysbabe said:

I surrendered!

I'm so sorry to hear of all the trials you have been through Annie. I completely understand what you mean with medication and coping. I can't imagine how hard that had to be with your family, sending hugs. I had quit the effexor, but still continued to have the brain zaps..I decided to go back on it about a week ago. Neuropathy is feeling better, mastectomy feeling better, and brain zaps gone thank God. We have to do what we have to do to get by right? I may have to invest in some bigger jeans, but I honestly need to watch my food intake now too. Menopause is the pits, but hey it's also a blessing I think?

As for the family portion of life. Cancer is such an evil thing, and I hate to hear you have also been affected by so many loved ones. We lost our stepfather, mother, grandmother, and several others to the various types. It's so sad that we all have to battle such a hideous beast. Praise God your fella is cured, that is a true blessing. What are we but Mother's always. I can't imagine how you dealt with that journey. Our parents are so difficult, but our babies are entirely different. I've always heard that God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. Sending prayers, and I'm on 75 mg of effexor myself. If it helps you cope with the struggles we deal with, you go with yourself! We have to stay strong not only for ourselves, but for all those that need Mama.

 I will also pray for better days for you Ray

Hugs,

Annei