okay... just have to write...and get of the internet search - i'm driving myself crazy.
My husband went in last week for his contrast MRI (requested a swallowing MRI too, but that didn't get coordinated in time)... he's been feeling GREAT with the gabapentin - just like his ole self!!!
My husband is to have his follow up with the neuro doc on Wed. of this week. Today i got a call from the nurse confirming the appointment... I told her that I was not going to be able to make the appointment as I have a conference out of state and will be flying out early. She was kind of quiet.. so i said..well, unless i need to be there... if the MRI is abnormal, or if there's bad news, i want to be there for the news.. but if it is normal, i probably need to travel for work. She said she'd check and call me right back. within 5 minutes, she called and said she'd talked with the doc and even tho he didn't say one way or the other, he did indicate a slight abnormality and it would be important that i was there with my husband. She also said she would be available to meet with us afterward and to call at anytime day or night if we need anything - she gave me her cell #. (this was a new nurse we had not dealt with yet). i was suspicious because she was so helpful and nice (kinda sad, huh?). So, I"m postponing my work trip for a day to go to the doc w/ my husband... it is hard not to obsess about this!!! i know.. i have to wait.. and it may be 'nothing'!!!! but, still... wow!!! what a trip (or not!)... just freaked out... will let you know...
The gabapentin is sure a relief!!!

You're a good wife. Hope everything turns out ok.

Gabapentin comes in a liquid form. It is not very stable and has to be refrigerated. The pills for it are very large, and would be difficult for some people. It helps to put large oval tablets on the tongue, with the point facing back and then drink some water and throw the head back and swallow. Some people find using a straw helps with swallowing.

http://www.brucemedical.com/mepiswsy.html

The B12 is typically a sublingual type tablet. These can be chewed up and swallowed --take on an empty stomach.

Most vitamins can be ground up and mixed into apple sauce or pudding.
If you give me a list of the drugs and supplements he takes I can look that up for you... which are safe to alter.

Extended release forms of drugs cannot be ground up. There are a few that may be broken in half, but one has to be very sure before attempting that. Always ask your pharmacist about extended release drugs and safety issues. Your pamphlet you receive with them, usually spells that out. Some drugs with tiny time beads in them can be opened into applesauce and swallowed WITHOUT chewing. There are a few of this type on the market.

If your husband has GERD, and doesn't realize it, he may be refluxing and irritating the throat during sleep. This may increase the gag reflex.

hi ididit. please try to keep a positive attitude, both of you.
even IF something is wrong it may be able to be treated. don't give up hope.
i know all too well how hard it is to schdule test, wait for the results and deal with it, good or bad.

i will be saying some prayers for both you and your dh.

Visited the neuro doc to hear about the results of the MRI... I had planned for the worst and got 'good' news. All he saw was evidence of "small vessel ischemic disease ". He said since the Gabapentin has solved the 'pain', we should just come back in 6 months for another MRI and compare to see where we are then.
It was good news.. but confusing. We still don't know why this happened nor if it will happen again. My husband continues to feel better - he says 'almost normal'!!! He still takes the Gabapentin (2 pills at night). I just can't believe where he was 1-1/2 month ago.. and where he is now.. it's day and night!!! Was it really just a B12 deficiency? And if so, why did he get deficient?
So... as healthy as he feels now, we're still going to the Mayo in Jacksonville in 8 days. What would others do, continue to look for a cause? Or, save our $$ because he's feeling better? So far he's been diagnosed w/ Axonal Neuropathy and Small Vessel Ischemic Disease.. (and i believe those are unrelated).
I feel almost embarrassed that we were so worried...if it was something as small as a vitamin deficiency.. i feel like we cried wolf for nothing... but the 'nothing' took the 'life' as we know it out of my husband.. that's scary!!!
thanks for listening... i'll let you know if the Mayo gives us any answers beyond what we've learned. thanks for being here... i don't know who else i could have talked to that wouldn't have thought i was a worry-wart!

Visited the neuro doc to hear about the results of the MRI... I had planned for the worst and got 'good' news. All he saw was evidence of "small vessel ischemic disease ". He said since the Gabapentin has solved the 'pain', we should just come back in 6 months for another MRI and compare to see where we are then.
It was good news.. but confusing. We still don't know why this happened nor if it will happen again. My husband continues to feel better - he says 'almost normal'!!! He still takes the Gabapentin (2 pills at night). I just can't believe where he was 1-1/2 month ago.. and where he is now.. it's day and night!!! Was it really just a B12 deficiency? And if so, why did he get deficient?
So... as healthy as he feels now, we're still going to the Mayo in Jacksonville in 8 days. What would others do, continue to look for a cause? Or, save our $$ because he's feeling better? So far he's been diagnosed w/ Axonal Neuropathy and Small Vessel Ischemic Disease.. (and i believe those are unrelated).
I feel almost embarrassed that we were so worried...if it was something as small as a vitamin deficiency.. i feel like we cried wolf for nothing... but the 'nothing' took the 'life' as we know it out of my husband.. that's scary!!!
thanks for listening... i'll let you know if the Mayo gives us any answers beyond what we've learned. thanks for being here... i don't know who else i could have talked to that wouldn't have thought i was a worry-wart!

"vita"min....vita meaning vital......you dont get, you die......so please dont "worry about worrying about it"......may he continue to be well