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    Gabapentin

    I am with my third neuro. My second neuro told me he thinks I have ms, but can't make a definitive diagnosis, so he sent me to an ms specialist. Initially he also thought it was ms, but my mri's came back clean last April. Told me to come back in a year to redo the mri's to see if there are any changes.

    I went back last week because I was having trouble standing for just short periods of time and having a lot of pain in my legs. By he end of the day it was nearly unbearable. My neuro said all my symptoms appear to be ms, but without lesions showing up in the mri and then having a positive test with a spinal tap, they could not consider it ms.

    She scheduled me for another mri this week and another nerve conduction study and put me on Gabapentin. The Gabapentin appears to be helping with the pain, but I feel weaker and trembly. Has anyone had any similar experiences. I've been on this search for a diagnosis for about 2 1/2 years now and just seem to be progressively getting worse with no explanaation.

    #2
    For me Gabapentin is an evil drug. It does help with the pain, but I can not take it for more than two days without the side effects rearing their ugly heads. But it truly does knock the pain out of the Ball Park. Others have no problems with the drug.

    Have you had MRIs of the Spinal Cord? Lesions can be lurking on the cord, and they are particularly nasty. Some Neuros only order the brain.

    Additionally, have other diseases been ruled out such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Lupus?

    If these MRIs come back clear again, I would start looking at other possibilities.

    Good luck to you. I hope you find out the cause of your problems quickly.
    Katie
    "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
    "My MS is a Journey for One."
    Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

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      #3
      Other Tests

      They did do an mri of my spinal cord and it came back fine. All the other conditions you mentioned have been ruled out along with a lot of others. Initially my primary ran a series of blood tests that never showed anything. At the time I kept progressing with the fatigue, but he kept ordering the same tests and finally just started brushing me off because his tests showed nothing. Started with another doc who sent me to a neuro who ran test after test (mostly blood work) and nothing showed up. I switched to another neuro at the recommendation of my doc who was beginning to think it was something like ms. Still nothing showing up except a low vitamin d level. I'm concerned about the side effects with this medicine, but the pain is gone and haven't noticed anything negative yet.

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        #4
        When you see your Neuro this week, make sure you tell her about the Gabapentin.

        Your current Neuro actually believes that you have an issue or she would not be doing some of the tests she is doing. I would ask her what is your next step if she rules out Neurological Issues. Possibly an infectious disease doctor?? I am not sure. I would not settle for a Primary Care.

        I hope you find out something soon.
        Katie
        "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
        "My MS is a Journey for One."
        Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

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          #5
          Hello, sorry that you are stuck in this neverland. I was told that low levels of vitamin D can have serious effects on the body. Any of your doctors prescribe high doses to get your levels up? It can take a while so don't delay that.

          As for the gabapentin, I have found it very helpful and besides a little sleepiness the first few days I have not had any side effects.
          Newbie

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            #6
            More than one pill takes me to the moon. It takes the nerve pain away which is wonderful but I am weak as a mouse and half as bright for two days. A double edged sword in the arsenal of weapons we use to fight this war.

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              #7
              No help for me

              I've been on the gabapentin about 3 weeks now. Initially it helped with the pain but starting at the end of last week I could feel some mild discomfort. Today my legs are screaming in pain. Worse now than it ever was. Oh well, at least the only side effects I've noticed is dry mouth. I know I should probably call my doc, but I have an April 1 appointment and based on past experience I doubt I could get in any sooner or they would believe me that I am in pain. I'm waiting for my condition to get to the point they have to call the rescue squad so I'll be taken seriously. Excuse the wining.

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                #8
                I had an MRI incorrectly, or not read at all. 3 months later I was in a wheel chair and on the operating table getting a spinal fusion. A spinal cord injury of unknown origin gave me MS like problems.

                Now,,,,,,,, I am NOT suggesting anything Like that for you.

                Even though I have been around way to long to have something like that happen to me, I did not get another opinion. Instead I let my MS specialist (genius ?) call the shots.

                Get another opinion.

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                  #9
                  Missed doses and withdrawl

                  I have been taking Betaseron for over a year. I was forced to use Express Scripts who have now dropped the ball. I will not have my supplies for a week past my last dose. I am having some really bad pain and lots of mobility issues after 5 days. Has anyone else experienced the withdrawls or is it just me? My Neuro is totally unresponsive so far, calling for 2 days. Any suggestions for relief????
                  Judylee

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