Jess good morning hope the meds start helping real soon, I was on lyrica for a while and it helped ease the pains in my arms, the other med elavil, well I am bias so shall not say i just didn't like that med, and i never took Neurontin but have read about others and some with great success. Remember as with so many of these conditions meds will effect each of us differently, and depending on illness or trouble. I hope you find relief real soon, good luck

Thank you so much! I know. I get impatient. I have only now been onthe Neurontin for 19 days. I suppose I can't expect miracles. I suppose I don't now what my expectations should be. Should I expect an overall drop on a pain scale of (0-10) .. to be around a 3-4, or should I expect with the drugs that they should be a 0-2?? i guess I don't know since I never had to go through nerve pain before.
By Monday I will be on 1800mg, for neuro burning pain. I have had a decrease in my pain from a month ago when I was waking up every 3 hours and couldn't find a comfortable position to sit, stand or lay down. The difference was the Neurontin and Lexapro 10mg. So there has been SOME progress. Like I said, what should I be looking for with my treatment, a manageable amount of pain, or 0-2 everyday? I suppose i have been lucky too, as I have not had any side effects thus far.

thank you all. :grouphug:

Good Luck on 1800 mg ! (that is my current dose--just be aware you might experience some sleepiness and increased appetite )

:) L2L

Yes, I am going to try and stay on that dosage for 4 weeks and see how i do. Like i said, no side effects.. and tiredness I think just come with the territory of all of these meds. As far as hunger, that has already increased. I am 5'9" and 125 pounds, so I can gain some, no biggie.
How would you describe your nerve pain with the meds, on a scale of 0-10?
Do they help significantly?

thank you! jess:)

pain med
 

I am not taking that pain medication, but I know your dilemma, and I just want to call my doctor that same night. Actually I did. She did say it may it may be hard but I do have to let my medication build up. She told me to keep a pain journal ( to track the changes or the lack of changes in my pain) and if I didn't she any changes I could call. Right now the dr. is trying administing a different way beffore a diferent dose but, I pushed the dr.
Your doctor probably would be willing to work with you during this month while your trying a new drug, if not, do what I do, be a squeaky wheel. don't let them forget how much pain your in. Good luck let me know what you end up doing. I hate anyone being pain.
Shelly

Thanks Shelly:)
What did you end up doing with your meds?
My doctor added Elavil 25mg, so I am taking that along with the gabapentin 1800mg, I am seeing how they both do together over the next 4 weeks in deciding whether I need to up any dosages.

If you have intractable pain
 

and it's mild to moderate and nerve related I've found that Tramadol really mutes nerve type pain. I take it for peripheral neuropathy. Neurontin made me suicidal among other negative sides. My pain increased (may have been due to the Neurontin wiping out Vit B-12, etc) so my dose of Neurontin had to be increased. The second increase to 300 mgs, I think it was, was what made me suicidal. It was horrible. But anyway, when I first began the Neurontin the results were almost immediate for me. So I don't know if this means it's not going to work for you and you a need a different drug or what. I *do* hope you find relief. Chronic pain sucks. :mad:

Hi Jess !
Sorry I've been kind of MIA lately... But, just wanted to check in and see how you are doing. I got off Elavil about a week ago, and so far, not missing it too much. My neuro and I changed the timing of my neurontin schedule, because it was making me incredibly sleepy. Still really sleepy, but not quite as bad, lol. I'm not gaining weight from the neurontin, but its definitely causing a lot of fluid retention in my face and lower legs. Its pretty "interesting" to see a 95 lb person with a puffy face & legs, with a tiny waist, small torso, and normal arms.... Drinking lots of water & trying to find low sodium, but high calorie snacks (i am trying to gain weight) is a little frustrating. But, the neurontin seems to really be helping, so....

Anyway, check in when ya can !

:) L2L

Thanks Jarrett and lov2laugh,
I have tramadol on hand, but I take Elavil and Lexapro, so i am too scared to take it. There are interactions for both drugs.
I am now up to 2400mg of Neurontin, and no side effects and 25mg of Elavil. The only thing with Elavil is that it makes me tired,but i take it right before anyhow. i take 25mg. I am going to see how this works for the next 3 weeks. My pain levels are down when laying down, standing or walking, sitting is still the issue.. but I am supposed to avoid it mostly if I can.
I hope you can diminish or get rid of your puffiness, I have a hard time drinking tons of water too.. I need to as well.

Hi Jess--
I take Tramadol on a PRN basis for Endometriosis and ovarian cysts (it doesn't have any effect on the nerve pain... ). Like you, initially I was afraid to combine the Tramadol with Elavil--especially after reading about them online & the fact I also have epilepsy (siezures can be a side effect of the combination); but my GYN assured me the chance for interaction was really low given the small dose of Elavil I was on and the fact that I don't take the Tramadol on a regular basis. I decided to go ahead and trying it-- the endometriosis and/or cysts were causing much more pain and making me much more miserable than any of the OTC stuff.... Thankfully, I didn't/don't have any problems with either drug and the combination.

But, I have no experience with Lexapro...

Hope thing go well for ya-- L2L :)