advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-31-2009, 12:15 PM #1
Point Blank Point Blank is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
15 yr Member
Point Blank Point Blank is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
15 yr Member
Default How Does Gabapentin Work?

There is no narcotics in it but after taking 800mg i feel kinda "high"

My 2nd dose in the afternoon of 800mg seems stronger as i guess the mornings dose is still slightly affecting me.

How does this medicine work.Does it numb nerves in the brain / feet or something different?

Can doing 1600mg's - 2400mg's per day wreck havoc on my body,brain,organs?

Thx for any insight.It helps with my foot pain although it does not take 100% of the pain away doing 800mg's twicw per day.Thinking of calling my Dr and asking him to increase to 3 times per day.
Point Blank is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 08-31-2009, 02:42 PM #2
Trishann Trishann is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 89
15 yr Member
Trishann Trishann is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 89
15 yr Member
Default

Hi there, I know that everyone is different, so what may be good for one person is not good for another. And sometimes it just takes time to get adjust to the gabapentin.

For me, it was bad and I was on the low dose end. I gave it time and still wasn't able to adjust to it. I was put on Lyrcia afterward and it is so much better for me. It cost more for me because my insurance makes you pay higher price for brand names.

Some people do bad on Lyrcia and do good on gabapentin. Really just have to listen to your body.

Trish
Trishann is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 09:59 AM #3
nide44's Avatar
nide44 nide44 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Land O' Pleasant Livin'
Posts: 1,660
15 yr Member
nide44 nide44 is offline
Senior Member
nide44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Land O' Pleasant Livin'
Posts: 1,660
15 yr Member
Default

It is in the classification of an anti-seizure medication.
It was first developed for epileptics.
It stops the jumbled signals from the damaged nerves in PN,
send to the brain.
It has something to do with the GABA, but is beyond my ability to interpret.
It says in the literature that the exact method is unknown.
Lyrica is in the same classsification.
Neither is classified as a pain medication. It diminishes symptoms.
Used along with pain medications such as opiates. or synthetics, like Tramadol(Ultram) - they work very well to control both symptoms and pain.
Many of us take a 'cocktail' of meds.
__________________
Bob B
nide44 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 10:12 AM #4
Trishann Trishann is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 89
15 yr Member
Trishann Trishann is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 89
15 yr Member
Default

Nide is right, I do take pain pills with the Lycria. I think Lycria is suppose to be a little stronger, but I don't understand this because I could not take the gabepentin.

Hope Nide was able to help you.

Trish
Trishann is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-01-2009, 10:17 AM #5
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Lightbulb

Gabapentin and Lyrica are mysterious drugs. Basically the way they work is still not understood. But the general public does not know this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin

Quote:
Gabapentin was initially synthesized to mimic the chemical structure of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but is not believed to act on the same brain receptors.

Its exact mechanism of action is unknown, but its therapeutic action on neuropathic pain is thought to involve voltage-gated N-type calcium ion channels. It is thought to bind to the α2δ subunit (1 and 2)[2] of the voltage-dependent calcium channel in the central nervous system.[3]
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 06:32 AM #6
freeinhou's Avatar
freeinhou freeinhou is offline
In Remembrance
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fairfield Glade, TN
Posts: 847
15 yr Member
freeinhou freeinhou is offline
In Remembrance
freeinhou's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Fairfield Glade, TN
Posts: 847
15 yr Member
Default

I had a discussion recently with my doctor about this.

He told me Gabapentin came first and Lyrica was an "upgrade." Why they work is unknown.

I've never taken Gabapentin. I tried Lyrica but it didn't help and I gained weight. I started Cymbalta - worked like a charm for a week. I stopped taking it when I got sick (unrelated). I'll be starting up on it again shortly - after I get past a certain event at work (after the shuttle lands).

Why Cymbalta works is unknown.

I usually just lurk here at PN. It's just the most recent extension of the MS I've had for 22 years.

Tom
freeinhou is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 07:53 AM #7
nide44's Avatar
nide44 nide44 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Land O' Pleasant Livin'
Posts: 1,660
15 yr Member
nide44 nide44 is offline
Senior Member
nide44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chesapeake Bay, Land O' Pleasant Livin'
Posts: 1,660
15 yr Member
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrsD View Post
Gabapentin and Lyrica are mysterious drugs. Basically the way they work is still not understood. But the general public does not know this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin
"...It has something to do with the GABA, but is beyond my ability to interpret...."

If you read that link, or insert- then you know why I said this

but thanks for trying Mrs D
__________________
Bob B
nide44 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
"Thanks for this!" says:
mrsD (09-02-2009)
Old 09-02-2009, 09:41 AM #8
Point Blank Point Blank is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
15 yr Member
Point Blank Point Blank is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 17
15 yr Member
Default

Thx all so much for the info

Sadly i am calling my Dr this morning asking him to up the dose to 800mg's 3 times per day instead of twice per day.

I have had "some" relief but not enough yet

He was going to put me on Lyrica but the Gabapentin is much cheaper and i highly agreed with him

Thx again..
Point Blank is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 04:20 PM #9
COLBEYMOORE COLBEYMOORE is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 107
15 yr Member
COLBEYMOORE COLBEYMOORE is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 107
15 yr Member
Default

I am a 45yr diabetic with stage 2 kidney disease and severe diabetic neuropathy. My current neurologist has me on 4800mg a day my pharmacist at first did not want to fill the prescription until he verified it with the doctor.

One neurologist told me that the benefits of the drug stop after exceeding 2400mg also updated change in label of these types of medications.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/...ders/UCM100190

I am currently up to 4800 mg a day and suffer from short term memory loss, hand tremors, weight gain, foggy head, dizzy and hot flashes see link below. I am in the process of switching to a different neurologist and considering switching to cymbalta or lyrica. My new neurologist has suggested trying Anodyne therapy (never suggested to me from my previous neurologist) he also ordered an arterial ultrasound to check my circulation.

http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/neurontin...e-effects.html

Last edited by COLBEYMOORE; 09-02-2009 at 04:57 PM.
COLBEYMOORE is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 09-02-2009, 06:28 PM #10
mrsD's Avatar
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
mrsD mrsD is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
mrsD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 33,508
15 yr Member
Arrow

Quote:
Originally Posted by COLBEYMOORE View Post
I am a 45yr diabetic with stage 2 kidney disease and severe diabetic neuropathy. My current neurologist has me on 4800mg a day my pharmacist at first did not want to fill the prescription until he verified it with the doctor.

One neurologist told me that the benefits of the drug stop after exceeding 2400mg also updated change in label of these types of medications.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/...ders/UCM100190

I am currently up to 4800 mg a day and suffer from short term memory loss, hand tremors, weight gain, foggy head, dizzy and hot flashes see link below. I am in the process of switching to a different neurologist and considering switching to cymbalta or lyrica. My new neurologist has suggested trying Anodyne therapy (never suggested to me from my previous neurologist) he also ordered an arterial ultrasound to check my circulation.

http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/neurontin...e-effects.html
As the dosage of Neurontin increases, less is absorbed. So one can reach a point where really high doses do very little.

One thing I am worried about is that Neurontin IS excreted whole via the kidneys. If you have reduced kidney functions, you may not be excreting it properly.
This may lead to it building up in the body.
__________________
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.-- Galileo Galilei

************************************

.
Weezie looking at petunias 8.25.2017


****************************
These forums are for mutual support and information sharing only. The forums are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.
mrsD is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
rds and gabapentin tannie Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) 5 07-11-2009 12:26 AM
Gabapentin to lyrica???? soxmom Medications & Treatments 9 08-16-2008 08:28 PM
gabapentin anyone? wakegirl Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) 23 09-02-2007 08:21 AM
Gabapentin hairdresser Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 3 05-17-2007 06:07 PM
experiences with gabapentin? Annie Poo Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD and CRPS) 6 10-05-2006 09:57 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:08 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.