Historically in the older days, drugs were put alphabetically on the shelf in the pharmacy. So chlorpromazine generic would be filed in the T's for the parent drug name Thorazine.

Today, more pharmacies put them alphabetically by GENERIC name, instead, because Techs are not trained in everything and don't know all the names and cross references.

So Chlorpromazine may be next to or very close to cyclobenzaprine. Add to that fact, the alarming fact that most doctors cannot spell worth a darn, and thread out letters in long names to fudge syllables, you have fodder for a big error!

It is inconceiveable that you were given this drug... so something is wrong. There are new doctors out there now who don't even have experience with this drug, because it is not used anymore commonly.

Another common error I've seen on boards like this, is clonidine/clonazepam. The brand name for clonazepam is Klonopin, and the brain mixes them up. It is similar to the confusion when Xanax is called Zanax..which resembles Zantac.

When Prilosec came out it was called Losec. This looked like Lasix when written out sloppily like doctors do, and many errors happened in the first year in US. It was then changed to Prilosec. In other countries it remained as Losec.

Omacor was changed to Lovasa because of written confusion and errors. (RX fish oil).

My family physician must be a quack I just called my neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic and left a message for her. Now I play the waiting game. But...other than feeling like my skin my burst due to the swelling I do not feel so bad this morning. And below you will see two of the reasons why! I love my fur babies

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You'd think with a drug like chlorpromazine, that is seldom used anymore, that a pharmacist would have the sense/training/moxie to pick up the cussin' phone and ask - I know my pharmacist(s) have often enough (though admittedly, my PCP's handwriting can only be read under an electron microscope...) I know, I know....

Doc

Alot depends on the dose too.

Karen is already on 3 psyche drugs... chlorpromazine makes it
4. That is alot for a family doctor, IMO

When patients say things "like my skin feels like it will burst"...that may be misinterpreted by a poor doctor as psychotic ideation?

Most chain pharmacies have drug interaction software, and insurances will block some fills and require a pharmacist override.
Some pharmacists just override without much thought, I'm afraid to report. Some interaction screens give confidence intervals too, and if low they may pass without verification. There are many variables here in this case, and none of them in favor of Karen, IMO.

I really think the edema from the Neurontin is not serving you, Karen, well. I think you should discuss discontinuing it with your doctor. Your day to day comfort is important. All that fluid retention may also raise your blood pressure.

that should be submitted to a pet photo contest!!

If you already know that you have SFN, it sounds as if it's non-length dependent which can be wicked. The sweating/heat thing - were you ever tested for autonomic nervous system dysfunction?

And as to the meds you're taking - that's a pretty potent cocktail. Two anti-depressants, one anti-seizure and one narcotic analgesic.

It's possible that one or more of these are contributing to some of your problems.

I also have a neuro at The Cleveland Clinic. If I were in your boat, I'd ask for autonomic testing and very carefully read all of the side effects of each medication on the Internet, not just the sheet of paper that comes with the Rx.

Good luck,

Sheltiemom

The swelling is most likely caused by the Neurontin. Ask your Dr. at Cleveland Clinic about it. It's a common side effect.

If I were you, I would try some lasiks for the swelling, and if youre going to use lasix, take potassium as it strips your body of natural potassium

Lasix also loses thiamine for you and magnesium... and loss of THOSE will make PN begin or become worse!

I ditto that the neurontin can cause the swelling. It may also be the reason for the blurry vision (another side-effect).

Your neuro should be able to advise you...likely better than your family doc is doing.