Hi my name is Wanda, I am new here. I have a question. I was diagnosed with MS in August 2007 and have been taking rebif and Gabapentin(Neurontin) I have been taking 900 milligrams 3 times a day.Well my leg pain has gotten worse so I went to the doctor today and they told me they wanted to double my medicine to 5400 milligrams.Question: Is this safe I feel that is quite a bit and I have already gained weight from this medicine and been bad sleepy.Any help greatly appreciated thanks.

I'm not a dr but that seems like a lot, I was just put on that and was told I could only take up to 400mg per day.

Hi Wanda, and welcome.

Yes, but apparently only very rarely because high dosages don't normally get you the incremental improvement you might expect, and because of possible side effects.

It is rx'd at this level occasionally though. I guess you'll have to see how it works for you, and if it doesn't, probably wean slowly.

Cherie

Welcome, Wanda.. Nice to meet you. So sorry for you DX, but so glad you found us. I hope you like it here.

I'm no help..I didn't like Neurontin...made me dizzy and sick, so stopped taking it.

If you're worried that he told you the wrong dosage, you can always call a pharmacist and ask if that's a safe level to be taking.

Hi Wanda and welcome!

I take Neurontin and have gradually increased mine (through dr's orders) to 600 mg 3 X daily. I don't always take it 3 times a day - usually just when I need it. At this dosage it makes me sleepy and very light headed.

I cannot imagine what an 1800 mg dose would do to me. I would be very careful about this and ask the doctor before taking that much. I'm not able to drive when I take my full 3 doses a day.

Good luck!

Hi wanda and welcome!

I have no idea if that's a safe level or not - I second talking to a pharmacist. Some other things you might want to consider - trying alternative meds or trying meds in combination with each other. My mom takes lyrica with some other nerve med to help with her trigeminal neuralgia. One drug didn't do it, but the combo seemed to help. Maybe you could also get a referral to a pain clinic - they might have a better idea of how to help you best.

I had always thought 3600 - 4200 mg was the MAX, but recently heard that others were taking 5400 mg (and/or higher). When I heard that, I googled "Neurontin 5400mg) and got several hits.

The one thing I recall though (from prior forum conversations), is that people should not make a huge jump in dosage, up or down. If you opt to try this (and your doc should be more clued up on how to do this then we or any pharmacist is), I would touch base with him first to see if there are instructions for increasing the dosage slowly.

Cherie

Hi Wanda and Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry about your DX, but glad you found us. I can't advise you on the RX, but I do think a chat w/either the Dr or Pharm is in order.
Please take a look around and make yourself at home here.

hey Wanda!

I wanted to say hello! I'm glad you found us!