[duffer]

For over 12 years I used Gabapentin and 1 year ago it quit being effective. My Doctor who is a G.P. switched me the Lyrica. (we had to battle insurance company for two months to get it covered)
Dulring the first month I believed that Lyrica was going to be the answer. However, its effectiveness has deminished. Since Feburary I have been taking 600mgs per day of Lyrica and 1200mgs per day of Gabapentin.
Question: Are the two drugs working against each other? I have on occasion increased the Gabapentin by 400 to 800mg in a day to a total of as high as 2000mg.
I have never had any nerve tests. The only thing I was told regarding my "burning pain" is that it was caused after my neck lamanectomy in 1998. After surgery my neurosurgeon sent me to a neurologist. But, he was not interested in my pain.
Should I try to find another neurologist? I haven't seen one since about 2000.

[dahlek]

What harm could getting a second opinion do? If nothing else, you'd learn that 'nothing can be done', but only after more tests. That being said? I got that same line at first, and had I not persisted [as my pain got worse and the numbnesses progressed at a frightening rate?] in getting both a second and third opinion? I'd likely be far worse off than I am. I have an autoimmune neuropathy which can be kept at bay by expensive therapy, but luckily my insurance covers it.
As for taking both gabapentin and lyrica together? I'll leave it to Nide44[aka as BobB] and Mrs D to respond.
In the meantime? READ and memorize this? As it is a serious med that can cause reactions, if you don't read it? You won't know when anything [IF anything] happens.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsa...013s014lbl.pdf
That all said? Meds tolerances by us can become either more or less sensitive. I'm one of the 'sensitive ones' and have had some bad reactions to several meds. I hope that you are not and can get along with this well.
Also? Confusing at times the Stickies at the top of this forum are? There is a wealth of good info in them. Just do a bit at a time, or your brain will definitely short-circuit! Lots of quality info there, which, when one is in pain? May not be taken in too well at first. Nibble at it, digest it? Then ask questions. Not one question here is too silly to ask! I've had my share for sure! 's and keep at it! - j

[duffer]

[QUOTE=dahlek;757741]What harm could getting a second opinion do? If nothing else, you'd learn that 'nothing can be done', but only after more tests. As for taking both gabapentin and lyrica together? I'll leave it to Nide44[aka as BobB] and Mrs D to respond.
In the meantime? READ and memorize this? As it is a serious med that can cause reactions, if you don't read it? You won't know when anything [IF anything] happens.
That all said? Meds tolerances by us can become either more or less sensitive. I'm one of the 'sensitive ones' and have had some bad reactions to several meds. I hope that you are not and can get along with this well.
Also? Confusing at times the Stickies at the top of this forum are? There is a wealth of good info in them. Just do a bit at a time, or your brain will definitely short-circuit! Lots of quality info there, which, when one is in pain? May not be taken in too well at first. Nibble at it, digest it? Then ask questions. Not one question here is too silly to ask! I've had my share for sure!
Thanks for the reply: I have used all of the anti seizure drugs aat one time or another. I can tolerate a lot of drugs. I took 3200 to 4800 Gabapentin at different times.
I will look over the "Stickies" and see if I can glean any info. I would love to schedule an apointment with a Neurologist (non surgeon). Can I do that without a Dr. referal? I spend winters in Palm Desert, Ca, but my home Dr. is in Washington and I do not have a G.P. in the desert to give me a referal
Thanks,
Duffer.

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

I think who you need to see is a spine doctor. Some of these are combined pain/spinal specialties.

Having a GP treat a spinal condition is iffy. Something might have changed and you need further evaluation?

Some people do report here that their gabapentin/Lyrica stops working or does not work very well.

I do think you need to see another doctor.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by duffer

I would love to schedule an apointment with a Neurologist (non surgeon). Can I do that without a Dr. referal?

Hi duffer,

That may depend on your insurance; a call to your provider (or review of your policy) should get an answer. They may even be able to provide you with a list of potentials in whichever area you're in.

You might also want to consider which location you'd like a neurologist based in. I understand the urgency, but if you spend the majority of your time in WA, and you'll be returning there soon....

Doc