Got to meet my new NP (Nurse Practitioner) this morning. She's wonderful!! She even knew about Neurontin depleting B-12 and that the test used isn't accurate as well as stating that if the B-12 level even hinted at being a bit low she'd give B-12.

We discussed treatment options for the PN and I expressed my concern about becoming addicted to Tramadol. She said that the risk is there but it's small. We discussed alternate treatments and I asked about Lyrica. She said she wouldn't give me Lyrica because Neurontin made me suicidal. Lryica is related to Neurontin. I never knew this. Instead we've agreed to try Mirapex. She stated that if I don't have any weight gain in the first 6 weeks with Mirapex I'm not going to. If I do gain weight we simply stop the Mirapex. I told her I was sensitive to meds and she said to stay at the initial loading dose of 0.125 mg. She also gave me samples and said to give her a yell when I needed more, that she has plenty. She even knew about the problems with Statins and PN issues as well as other problems with the Statins.

Get this, my last NP, the one that I was having issues with never documented that Neurontin made me suicidal. And she told me she would make a note of it in my chart. Guess what...no documentation so Jennifer (the new NP) made a point to document it under drug allergies. My last NP was simply lazy and sloppy. Apparently I wasn't the first one to comment on problem's with Beth to Jennifer.

Can you all tell I'm just tickled pink about this new NP?

I had to look this up....the reference I use didn't have this in it:

http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-1390003.htm

This site is really good... when you start to click on things, you get more and
more information.

The B12 effects involve the CNF..spinal fluid....
B12 is also low in spinal fluid of patients with fibro.

I am bookmarking this site, BTW... it has alot of new information on it.

That is wonderful that you found a health care person who knows these things.
I guess there is still hope on that frontier?

That's a great site! Thanks for finding it. I'm bookmarking it also.

I am happy for you, she sounds great
I was on Tramadol for a few years and just stopped taking it one day a few months back, no side affects and defiantly no addiction problems for me anyway.
Actually i have never heard of a nurse practitioner, i don't know if we have them in OZ, perhaps , i don't really know for sure.
all the best,
Brian

NP is a Registered Nurse that's gone on in school and can perform as a doctor as long as they're working under a doctor. They can do almost as much as a medical doctor. I prefer a NP because nurses learn medicine and such in a different way than doctors. To me they're better all the way around. Well, except for Beth... Sigh.

ETA: Duh, I seem to have a problem today with not finishing my thoughts. Thanks for the info on the Tramadol. I'm worried about addiction especially now because one of my daughters has a SO that's addicted to pain killers and God only knows what else. She's been with him for 14 years and they just had a baby 6 months ago. It's scary and heartbreaking. I don't want to go there.

I can't take tramadol....severe reactions, but if you can take it, that is good because you don't get the 'looks' from the pharmacist that you get when you have other narcotics.

As far as neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica...I can take lyrica but neurontin makes me really crabby, but yes they are related.

Did they put you on Mirapex for restless leg....I have been on that for almost 10 years, recently haven't been taking it, as the RLS calmed down, but now that we are dinking with pain meds, I am sure it will rear its ugly head. I had to grab for the bottle a few nights ago after my go around with fentanyl that didn't work out so well. I have issues from a 55 mph head on 'kiss' with a truck, so no the fentanyl isn't for PN. It is for what is left of my trunk, no, not the one on my car....that would be my thoracic spine and rib cage. It has missing parts and is rearranged.

It is good you have a nurse to have some rapport with. It is refreshing to get decent providers....I found an internal medicine person I really like too. What a relief.