Neurontin (Gabapentin)

Shayenne
Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
When I went to the Pain and Palliative appointment yesterday, I told him I was now on Folfox, with the Oxyplatin in it, and was afraid I was going to get neuropathy from it, and he actually gave me this drug, which signals the brain to where it should relax some of the tingling and all that.

Has anyone ever used this? My first time trying it last night, it made me alittle dizzy, alittle sleepy, but I tell ya, it gave me the best sleep I have had in a LONG time. I was also able to be in front of the fridge, and woke up to an air conditioned room, and not be too cold, maybe a little tingle on the cold cup, but that's all I've had with the oxy so far.

I may get more side effects of course when I am disconnected from the pump tomorrow, but it be nice if I didn't have much.

Let me know who tried this..I have to take 3 times a day.

Hugsss!
~Donna

Comments

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #2
    Neurontin will help you sleep as it calms the nerves
    Its better than Ativan for those with anxiety but it may increase appetite.....Hmmm, ought to try it myself as I do Ativan......steve
  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #3
    started out to treat epilepsy
    It’s a drug that started out to treat epilepsy. I took it back when I had the bad night time leg pain from the lumbosacral plexopathy thanks to chemo/rad. It did help.

    You have to be careful not to just stop taking it. You have to cut from 3 to 2 times a day for a few days. Then drop to once a day for a few more.

    I did not like the way it made me feel in the head. I was in kind of a brain fog. Was on it for about 3 weeks.
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #4
    Kerry S said:

    started out to treat epilepsy
    It’s a drug that started out to treat epilepsy. I took it back when I had the bad night time leg pain from the lumbosacral plexopathy thanks to chemo/rad. It did help.

    You have to be careful not to just stop taking it. You have to cut from 3 to 2 times a day for a few days. Then drop to once a day for a few more.

    I did not like the way it made me feel in the head. I was in kind of a brain fog. Was on it for about 3 weeks.

    Hi donna
    nope never heard of it.....hope it works for you.....just sending hugs.....

    mags
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    #5
    Neurontin
    I just finished my prescription. Did nothing for me - neuropathy till driving me nuts, but for some it works well. There are at least two other things my onc wants to try (if/when he comes back from vacation), but I can't recall what are their names.

    It is reported that some people respond well to glucosimine (usually taken for joint problems). It is an over the counter med and pretty cheap. I have been taking that too, but I have seen no change in the severity of neuropathy from that either.

    Best of luck beating that oxi side effects. If your neuropathy is mild you have a good chance that it will go away by itself in time!
  • zenmonk
    zenmonk Member Posts: 198
    #6
    gabby
    My moms takes this stuff and it totally made her loopy. I also had a buddy that was injured in Iraq and they put him on it and it messed his mind up too. He finally found a doctor that said that this medication should only be prescribed for a short period of time or it makes you lulu. I definatly saw that in my mon first hand with this stuff. My buddy is off it now and doing much better. I would be very careful if I were you.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #7
    zenmonk said:

    gabby
    My moms takes this stuff and it totally made her loopy. I also had a buddy that was injured in Iraq and they put him on it and it messed his mind up too. He finally found a doctor that said that this medication should only be prescribed for a short period of time or it makes you lulu. I definatly saw that in my mon first hand with this stuff. My buddy is off it now and doing much better. I would be very careful if I were you.

    I bet
    It's stronger then Ativan, it knocks me out, but instead of just getting me to sleep, it gives me a good sleep by keeping me asleep, whereas I'm up every couple hours on Ativan. I didn't feel loopy, he wanted to give me the more then 100 mg he has me on now, and I said "no, let me just try the mild dosage" and if I wanted more he would give me a higher dosage, but I don't want to be loopy. I'll make sure if I feel funny, I'll stop.

    So far with my 2nd treatment, it hasn't been too bad, I feel my thumbs lock up abit, some tingling when picking up cold cups and bottles, I'm able to stand in front of the fridge ok, though I haven't been to Walmart yet, where I hope the freezer sections don't get me. But all in all, it's been very tolerable. Just 2 more to go, he only wanted 4, I hope it stays like this...tolerable lol...

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #8
    Shayenne said:

    I bet
    It's stronger then Ativan, it knocks me out, but instead of just getting me to sleep, it gives me a good sleep by keeping me asleep, whereas I'm up every couple hours on Ativan. I didn't feel loopy, he wanted to give me the more then 100 mg he has me on now, and I said "no, let me just try the mild dosage" and if I wanted more he would give me a higher dosage, but I don't want to be loopy. I'll make sure if I feel funny, I'll stop.

    So far with my 2nd treatment, it hasn't been too bad, I feel my thumbs lock up abit, some tingling when picking up cold cups and bottles, I'm able to stand in front of the fridge ok, though I haven't been to Walmart yet, where I hope the freezer sections don't get me. But all in all, it's been very tolerable. Just 2 more to go, he only wanted 4, I hope it stays like this...tolerable lol...

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    Stay out
    stay out of the freezer section! :):)

    seriously girl you are doing so well....you are one half done....well done

    hugs back to you

    mags
  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #9
    It could be
    Donna darlin,

    It could be that those of us that are a few notches towards the loopy side naturally, just get pushed the rest of the way with it. I was also stoned on percocet when I took it.
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #10
    Kerry S said:

    It could be
    Donna darlin,

    It could be that those of us that are a few notches towards the loopy side naturally, just get pushed the rest of the way with it. I was also stoned on percocet when I took it.

    Watch out with Neurontin as stopping it, if taken for awhile,
    may cause problems for you. Also, maake sure it doesn't impact liver......steve
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #11
    Gabapentin
    Hi Donna,

    I was prescribed Gabapentin (100mg X 2/day) along with Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Naproxen to address neuropathic pain from my sacral tumour. The combination has worked well for me. I was able to function fairly well throughout.

    My understanding is that it takes a few weeks to work. I hope it helps you.

    Be well... Rob; in Vancouver
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #12
    Donna
    This sounds like a serious med so please be careful with it. Of course, if you get rid of the kids, install a stripper pole and start swinging around hubby may just ask you to double the dose.

    Now seriously, please be careful with this stuff.

    Tina
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #13
    geotina said:

    Donna
    This sounds like a serious med so please be careful with it. Of course, if you get rid of the kids, install a stripper pole and start swinging around hubby may just ask you to double the dose.

    Now seriously, please be careful with this stuff.

    Tina

    Ha Ha Tina!
    My kids don't want to see me nekkid! LOL....but hubby wouldn't mind the stripping pole thing, and you know Kerry, I been on the loopy side, so this drug isn't phasing me, it's kind of "fun", and Rob, I did get a lil stoned on some MJ trying to calm my nausea, I think sometimes I'm having a little too much fun experimenting with these drugs together...but I sure did sleep good these past couple nights LOL!


    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    #14
    geotina said:

    Donna
    This sounds like a serious med so please be careful with it. Of course, if you get rid of the kids, install a stripper pole and start swinging around hubby may just ask you to double the dose.

    Now seriously, please be careful with this stuff.

    Tina

    rats
    I thought you were serious - I had the pole installed today. What am I going to tell my wife when she gets home from visiting her sisters? Maybe I can get HER to use it. I can't do a damn thing on it because it appears gravity is extra strong near the pole, I just fall down. maybe I can install a few lights on it and tell her it is a new lamp. Darn, it goes so well with the disco ball!
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #15
    RickMurtagh said:

    Neurontin
    I just finished my prescription. Did nothing for me - neuropathy till driving me nuts, but for some it works well. There are at least two other things my onc wants to try (if/when he comes back from vacation), but I can't recall what are their names.

    It is reported that some people respond well to glucosimine (usually taken for joint problems). It is an over the counter med and pretty cheap. I have been taking that too, but I have seen no change in the severity of neuropathy from that either.

    Best of luck beating that oxi side effects. If your neuropathy is mild you have a good chance that it will go away by itself in time!

    neurontin
    GF good with psyche meds as she needs them. Tragedon (Sp) is also supposed to be good for nerves and sleep......My numby/tingley feet and toes bother me in longish walks, more so now in warm weather than cold but I've so far avoided asking onc for med for it as I take meds for other ailments already. Both Neurontin and Tragedon are stronger than Ativan/Xanax but talk to doc about possible liver problems. Some psyche pills affects liver.....I'll stick with Ativan for now tho I skip nite everty few days....steve
  • Kerry S
    Kerry S Member Posts: 606 Member
    #16
    Shayenne said:

    Ha Ha Tina!
    My kids don't want to see me nekkid! LOL....but hubby wouldn't mind the stripping pole thing, and you know Kerry, I been on the loopy side, so this drug isn't phasing me, it's kind of "fun", and Rob, I did get a lil stoned on some MJ trying to calm my nausea, I think sometimes I'm having a little too much fun experimenting with these drugs together...but I sure did sleep good these past couple nights LOL!


    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    Donna, I counted myself in that semi loopy group
    I counted myself in that semi loopy group
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #17
    Yes
    Hi Donna,
    I take gabapentin too. Not for cancer related neuropathy but MS. It has helped me some. It has to build up. Like start with one tablet at night for a week and the two for a week and then two at night and one at noon. They is my routin. I don't get dizzy but it does make me tired. Hope it helps you. Keep us informed. Paula
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #18
    Paula G. said:

    Yes
    Hi Donna,
    I take gabapentin too. Not for cancer related neuropathy but MS. It has helped me some. It has to build up. Like start with one tablet at night for a week and the two for a week and then two at night and one at noon. They is my routin. I don't get dizzy but it does make me tired. Hope it helps you. Keep us informed. Paula

    LOL!
    Rick, you crack me up! I remember the days of even wearing those little disco mini's on my ears since they made earrings to look like them! ahhh...disco!

    Yeah, the dr. wants me to take 100 mg 3 times a day Paula, and said that was a small dose, but would rather me have a bigger dose, and just wants to start me out slowly on it. I thought 100 sounded like a lot! lol...but we'll see how it works. What's weird, is that sometimes I can't touch cold, because of the oxi, yet, I can drink or eat things cold, it's very strange. I will keep you informed about it though!

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • sheri22
    sheri22 Member Posts: 273
    #19
    Donna
    Seen your posts lately but was wondering how you have been doing, I hope things keep getting better for you I myself havent had the oxy yet Ill know about that next week, I got lucky in a way no chemo for 4 weeks chemo quit working so he did CT scan and pet we will decide next week, enough on me though just glad you are doing better, you are a trooper
    With every thing you have went thru you still manage to give hope to others take care wishing you feeling better and better Sheri22

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