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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TylerJ on March 6, 2006, at 9:20:04
Anyone use Neurontin for chronic pain? Please let me know if it has or has not been effective for your chronic pain? I'm looking for people who have taken it for either chronic pain ( I was in a bad car wreck many years ago and have chronic neck and lower back pain ) or insomnia. I was also wondering if it would help for drug induced insomnia ( Parnate ) I'm taking Trazodone and I keep having to increase the dose, I'm at 300 mgs. now-it works quite well for sleep but I am starting to get too much sedation during the day from it. I was thinking if I added neurontin maybe I could reduce my Traz. I've always needed high doses of any meds I have taken, my pdoc thinks I'm a *Poor Absorber* therefore needing high doses, hell I was on 120 mgs of Remeron at one time, 8-10 mgs. of Ativan, now I'm down to only 3 mgs. I've been ...oh hell, that's a whole nother story! Hey, I appreciate any info concerning the above-Thank you.
Tyler
Posted by SLS on March 6, 2006, at 11:13:10
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain??, posted by TylerJ on March 6, 2006, at 9:20:04
Sounds like a worthwhile medication to try. I've seen it help with both.
- Scott
Posted by Cairo on March 6, 2006, at 21:48:18
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain??, posted by TylerJ on March 6, 2006, at 9:20:04
I was on Trazodone for years and experienced some loss of effect, so was prescribed Neurontin 600mg and had some really great sleep on that combo! Neurontin for chronic pain was so-so as it seemed more to have an anti-anxiety effect in me and some muscle relaxation, though I developed tolerance to that quickly. I went through a period when I ramped the Neurontin up and down and off, then repeated to get the effect.
Neurontin definitely made weight gain worse and caused too many cognitive issues during the day, but at night it was a great adjunct to the Traz.
I'm now trying pregabalin (son of Neurontin). It, too, seems to give me better sleep (along with clonazepam) and some anti-anxiety as well as mood lifting (bordering on euphoria), but I just started it and need to find the right dose for me. Some pain relief at times, but not at others, so far.
After trials of amitriptyline, nortriptyline, the SSRIs, Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and Topamax for chronic pain, I can say the best thing that works for me is find something for the sleep, and stretch, moist heat and rest during the day. But I have chronic pain of Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.
Good luck.
Cairo
Posted by SLS on March 7, 2006, at 7:27:34
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain??, posted by Cairo on March 6, 2006, at 21:48:18
Hi Cairo.
Would you please keep us informed on how you continue to do on the pregabalin? I am particularly interested in any antidepressant effect it provides.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by TylerJ on March 7, 2006, at 10:05:41
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain??, posted by Cairo on March 6, 2006, at 21:48:18
> I was on Trazodone for years and experienced some loss of effect, so was prescribed Neurontin 600mg and had some really great sleep on that combo! Neurontin for chronic pain was so-so as it seemed more to have an anti-anxiety effect in me and some muscle relaxation, though I developed tolerance to that quickly. I went through a period when I ramped the Neurontin up and down and off, then repeated to get the effect.
>
> Neurontin definitely made weight gain worse and caused too many cognitive issues during the day, but at night it was a great adjunct to the Traz.
>
> I'm now trying pregabalin (son of Neurontin). It, too, seems to give me better sleep (along with clonazepam) and some anti-anxiety as well as mood lifting (bordering on euphoria), but I just started it and need to find the right dose for me. Some pain relief at times, but not at others, so far.
>
> After trials of amitriptyline, nortriptyline, the SSRIs, Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, and Topamax for chronic pain, I can say the best thing that works for me is find something for the sleep, and stretch, moist heat and rest during the day. But I have chronic pain of Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.
>
> Good luck.
>
> CairoThanks Cairo...this is what I was hoping to hear! What's the highest dose of Traz you took for sleep? Did it make you drowsy the next day?
Thank you, Tyler
Posted by cecilia on March 8, 2006, at 0:28:07
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain??, posted by TylerJ on March 6, 2006, at 9:20:04
Neurontin is a sugar pill as far as I am concerned. I tried it years ago to augment whatever AD i was trying at the time , no effects, now I'm taking it for peripheral neuropathy, and as far as I can tell it does nothing for that either, nor has it helped my insomnia or anxiety. Cecilia.
Posted by Cairo on March 13, 2006, at 7:13:15
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain?? » Cairo, posted by TylerJ on March 7, 2006, at 10:05:41
I was taking only 50-100mg Trazodone. That dose seemed to work for me, but I'm very sensitive to meds and side effects.
Cairo
> Thanks Cairo...this is what I was hoping to hear! What's the highest dose of Traz you took for sleep? Did it make you drowsy the next day?
>
> Thank you, Tyler
Posted by Cairo on March 13, 2006, at 7:24:29
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain?? » Cairo, posted by TylerJ on March 7, 2006, at 10:05:41
Upping Lyrica to 150mg BID causes a lot of unsteadiness. Definite antianxiety effect in me and elevated mood, almost bordering on euphoria. Seem to have more energy. Also tapping my foot alot lately (hmmm).
Two days ago I decreased dose of Lyrica to 75mg during the day, but kept 150mg at night. Still very good sleep, waking up with no stiffness, but not as much unsteadiness. Still feeling a bit of numbness in extremities and face (just like I did with Neurontin).
The only problem is that my weight is going up. I jumped up 6 pounds like overnight. I'm going to have to really count calories and walk twice a day to see if that will help or if it will have no effect. I suspected that when I took Neurontin, the weight gain was not affected by calorie control or exercise, but never really documented it.
So, pain is better, sleep is better, morning stiffness helped, less anxiety, better mood. Lyrica has not helped the popping in my joints nor the tendon tenderness that I have. I suspect that might be due to hypermobility (lack of stabilization of the joint) and metabolic factors.
I'm also taking clonazepam 0.5mg and nortriptyline 20mg at bedtime, and atenolol 10mg and Unithroid 0.05mg in the morning, but have been stable on these for awhile.
The weight might be a problem. I'm going to check my glucose levels periodically to see if they are affected.
Cairo
Posted by TylerJ on March 13, 2006, at 7:38:39
In reply to Re: Pregabalin update, posted by Cairo on March 13, 2006, at 7:24:29
> Upping Lyrica to 150mg BID causes a lot of unsteadiness. Definite antianxiety effect in me and elevated mood, almost bordering on euphoria. Seem to have more energy. Also tapping my foot alot lately (hmmm).
>
> Two days ago I decreased dose of Lyrica to 75mg during the day, but kept 150mg at night. Still very good sleep, waking up with no stiffness, but not as much unsteadiness. Still feeling a bit of numbness in extremities and face (just like I did with Neurontin).
>
> The only problem is that my weight is going up. I jumped up 6 pounds like overnight. I'm going to have to really count calories and walk twice a day to see if that will help or if it will have no effect. I suspected that when I took Neurontin, the weight gain was not affected by calorie control or exercise, but never really documented it.
>
> So, pain is better, sleep is better, morning stiffness helped, less anxiety, better mood. Lyrica has not helped the popping in my joints nor the tendon tenderness that I have. I suspect that might be due to hypermobility (lack of stabilization of the joint) and metabolic factors.
>
> I'm also taking clonazepam 0.5mg and nortriptyline 20mg at bedtime, and atenolol 10mg and Unithroid 0.05mg in the morning, but have been stable on these for awhile.
>
> The weight might be a problem. I'm going to check my glucose levels periodically to see if they are affected.
>
> Cairo
>Thanks for the update. So Lyrica is a good sleep aid? I'll have to talk to my pdoc about that. Do you still take Traz? I know Traz causes weight gain...because it's partially an anti-histamine. Take care.
Tyler
Posted by Cairo on March 13, 2006, at 8:13:54
In reply to Re: Pregabalin update » Cairo, posted by TylerJ on March 13, 2006, at 7:38:39
Stopped trazodone awhile back to try other things. Trazodone was pretty weight neutral for me. But the Neurontin/trazodone combo I took back then was a good sleep aid for me. Lyrica seems to have the same additive effect on sleep with the clonazepam for me.
I would like to get off the clonazepam and go back to the trazodone, but I'll have to see if I can do that without panic attacks reoccuring. Those started when I tried Topamax, thus the clonazepam was prescribed.
The thing about trazodone is that I stayed asleep all night on it, but never felt rested in the morning. Neurontin helped with deeper sleep, I felt.
My doctor wants me to have another sleep study to see what going on. I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, but that never seemed to help at all (I still use it, however, as I don't want any of the other problems that might occur with sleep apnea).
I was on 50mg trazodone when I had my first sleep study. I was still having 40+ arousals per hour on the trazodone. Never repeated the study after adding Neurontin, however.
Remember that everyone reacts differently to meds. Good luck and hope you find restful sleep.
Cairo
Posted by TylerJ on March 13, 2006, at 8:49:12
In reply to Re: Pregabalin update » TylerJ, posted by Cairo on March 13, 2006, at 8:13:54
> Stopped trazodone awhile back to try other things. Trazodone was pretty weight neutral for me. But the Neurontin/trazodone combo I took back then was a good sleep aid for me. Lyrica seems to have the same additive effect on sleep with the clonazepam for me.
>
> I would like to get off the clonazepam and go back to the trazodone, but I'll have to see if I can do that without panic attacks reoccuring. Those started when I tried Topamax, thus the clonazepam was prescribed.
>
> The thing about trazodone is that I stayed asleep all night on it, but never felt rested in the morning. Neurontin helped with deeper sleep, I felt.
>
> My doctor wants me to have another sleep study to see what going on. I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, but that never seemed to help at all (I still use it, however, as I don't want any of the other problems that might occur with sleep apnea).
>
> I was on 50mg trazodone when I had my first sleep study. I was still having 40+ arousals per hour on the trazodone. Never repeated the study after adding Neurontin, however.
>
> Remember that everyone reacts differently to meds. Good luck and hope you find restful sleep.
>
> Cairo
Thanks Cairo. I reduced my Traz to 200 mgs last night and didn't sleep at all. :( All well, I can handle the daytime sedation of Traz at higher doses. Have you ever tried Benadryl for sleep? I think tonight I'm going to try 50mgs Benadryl w/200mgs. of Traz. Take care.Tyler
Posted by Cairo on March 14, 2006, at 18:10:53
In reply to Re: Pregabalin update » Cairo, posted by TylerJ on March 13, 2006, at 8:49:12
Benadryl didn't maintain my sleep. I fall asleep like a rock. I just can't stay asleep all night. Combining it with meds didn't work, either. Nor did hydroxyzine do much for me.
Amitriptyline made me sleep, but the last time I tried it, I had severe daytime drowsiness and fatigue at only 5mg. It was actually the first med I tried for sleep many years ago and I tolerated 50mg way back then with no problem. I feel my HPA axis dysfunction has worsened since then.
Today, I didn't take any pregabalin in the daytime because my doctor didn't call in the 75mg dose for daytime use. Didn't get the unsteadiness, so I'm sure that's a pregabalin side effect. Sweated for 4-5 hours, though. Not fun in a warm climate, where I live.
Have you tried Remeron? Lunesta? Ambien CR?
Cairo
> Thanks Cairo. I reduced my Traz to 200 mgs last night and didn't sleep at all. :( All well, I can handle the daytime sedation of Traz at higher doses. Have you ever tried Benadryl for sleep? I think tonight I'm going to try 50mgs Benadryl w/200mgs. of Traz. Take care.
>
> Tyler
Posted by Caedmon on April 7, 2006, at 20:47:30
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia and Chronic Pain??, posted by TylerJ on March 6, 2006, at 9:20:04
Just a quick bump on this thread as I am interested in trying Neurontin (gabapentin) for insomnia. Although it sounds like some folks on here have responded well to it.
I'm thinking of maybe 400-600mg at night to offset insomnia from Parnate. I don't respond to benzos or Z-drugs like Ambien for sleep, and trazodone and Seroquel are too strong for me. Sound like a reasonable trial?
- C
Posted by SLS on April 7, 2006, at 21:39:52
In reply to Neurontin for Insomnia??, posted by Caedmon on April 7, 2006, at 20:47:30
> Just a quick bump on this thread as I am interested in trying Neurontin (gabapentin) for insomnia. Although it sounds like some folks on here have responded well to it.
>
> I'm thinking of maybe 400-600mg at night to offset insomnia from Parnate. I don't respond to benzos or Z-drugs like Ambien for sleep, and trazodone and Seroquel are too strong for me. Sound like a reasonable trial?Parnate is some pretty potent stuff. I needed to use two benzodiazepines to treat the insomnia it produced. I used a combination of Halcion + Ativan. Actually, I had combined the Parnate with desipramine.
Since others have found Neurontin beneficial for sleep, I guess it's worth a try. Although some people experience cognitive side effects at higher dosages, it is overall a pretty benign drug.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by platinumbride on April 9, 2006, at 15:14:29
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia??, posted by SLS on April 7, 2006, at 21:39:52
Neurontin does make me tired. The combination of neur. and a book usually have me sleeping within a half hour. But it IS at high doses - of the neurontin, not the book. ha ha
Diane
Posted by Caedmon on April 9, 2006, at 15:46:41
In reply to Re: Neurontin for Insomnia??, posted by platinumbride on April 9, 2006, at 15:14:29
> Neurontin does make me tired. The combination of neur. and a book usually have me sleeping within a half hour. But it IS at high doses - of the neurontin, not the book. ha ha
Diane, how much would you usually have to take to zonk out for the night?- C
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