I didn't try Neurontin, but tried Lyrica, which helped PN remarkably but made me feel like I had trouble breathing. I am usually better off without drugs, even if struggling with symptoms, but sometimes I find a drug which is just right. Zyrtec, for instance, an anti-histimine, helps with itches. As others say, a lot of tweaking is necessary if taking drugs or supplements.

Hello and welcome. I tried gabapentin and WHOOO! it was not a good fit for me. I felt horrible on it, and after 3 weeks of feeling like I was walking thru jello I told the MD to take me off it. He agreed my side effects were more severe than most and perhaps It wasnt a good fit for me.

Loads of folks say they get used to it, and my cousin takes it like its pez. I have no idea how she is able to walk, but she says now without it, she is struggling and really needs it.

I hate all these drugs! I just want to wake up and find it all went away.

btw, I was dx in my 40s as well.

Welcome to NT...
I used to take it for neuropathic pain...just make sure not to take yourself off it...you have to wean yourself off gradually.
Have you gotten som physical therapy? I have back problems which include spasms from MS. I find that my stretching routine really helps.
Keep us up to date on what's going on...

Dragging up an old thread here, sorry.

Does anyone know why you can't take antihistamines or opioids at the same time as Lyrica/ neurontin/pregabalin/gabapentin?

Welcome! My daughter and Mom have been on Gabepentin and it worked wonders for them. They had to go through the adjustment phase of getting used to it. It's not fun feeling like a jombie but it passes.

Apparently mixing opiates with Gaba-based medications can decrease the effects of the opiates and enhance the effects of the Gaba-based medications.

Below is a summary of some information from a drug research site:

When Neurontin (gabapentin) is taken along with hydrocodone (a.k.a. Vicodin), it decreases the bioavailability of the hydrocodone by up to 22%; while the bioavailability of Neurontin (gabapentin) is increased by 14%.

When the two types of medications are taken with a time frame between the doses the interactions of the medications can be emphasized or altered in unpredictable ways. If an opiate (such as morphine) is taken first and then the Neurontin/Gaba-based medication is taken a couple of hours later, the opiate will be on its way to reaching peak plasma levels when the Neurontin is just entering the bloodstream. That scenario can leave the opiate's effects unchanged, but the Neurontin (gabapentin) bioavailability may be increased by as much as a whopping 44%.

Similarly taking naproxen (a.k.a. Aleve) increases Neurontin's bioavailability by 12-15%, while there is no apparent affect on naproxen's bioavailability.

It is uncertain if this type of bioavailability effect carries over to the artificial opioids, like Demerol or buprenophine.

As each person's reaction to Gaba-based and pregabapentin medications is highly variable when these medications are taken by them selves, combining them with opiates has the potential for making a real mess of things.
That isn't to say that they can't be taken together (fairly often they are), but one needs to be supervised fairly closely, at least at first by an MD/pharmacist.

Overdose symptoms of Neurontin and other Gaba-based medications is a strong possibility when combined with opioids; and the first sign of this would be enhanced CNS depression.
It is interesting to note that some doctors refer to Neurontin by its rather unkind nickname (morontin) which describes its general mind slowing effect.

Antihistamines might have the same or similar effect on bioavailability when taken together with the Gaba-based medications.
It appears that a great deal of caution should be used in combining the Gaba-based medications with anything.

Welcome and glad to meet you - Tshirt is forthcoming (once we design one and figure out how to pay for it, argue over color, sizes) and we will teach you the secret handshake soon! {as you can tell we can get a little goofy around here)

As for neuontin, it gave me a bit of space cadet feeling which gradually wore off after 2-3 weeks. Do not stop it cold turkey as this can cause problems. Patients are generally weaned off it. Hope it helps you!

Currently taking it...other than a few days of "whoo hoo, where are my legs & do those hands belong to me," I'm not having much problem with it (my family has a history of weird side-effects & mine are: not feeling hungry & not being able to tell if I am full after eating--makes for small meals, when I remember to eat).

I was started on 1 capsule (300 mg.), after a 2 wk period, it was upped to 2 capsules a day. I didn't want to take anymore until I was sure that it wouldn't make me funky. It' now been upped to 3 capsules a day (900 mg.). I have a hard time remembering to take them; but am adjusting now.

I don't like taking pills...never did. However, I like the symptoms of itchiness, numbness & crawling feelings on my face, ears, hairline & back less. It works for me.

Never have taken it for pain.

Erika, thank you thank you thank you so much.

Just what I needed to know and put so simply.

I've only taken two 75mg capsules and whilst they gave me freedom for the 8 hours they were in my system, the 'coming down' effect is absolutely awful. i could quickly become addicted to these pills.

Is it worse to Not take pills and have pain, or to Take pills and be dependent on them but be pain free?

I have NO idea what Lyrica is doing ot my brain!! woke up this morning feeling like an evil Dragon!

Now I know why I didn't like Neurontin. I do take a low dose of Morphine. I didn't like how I felt on both of them together at all! I got very depressed, and felt just terrible. Have PN and maybe first stages of RSD, that is why it was prescribed. I didn't last a week on a low dose. I actually felt sick. Thanks for the medical information. I have also heard not everyone can take it even without narcotics. ginnie