Which Anticonvulsant works best for you? Gabapentin? Lyrica?
 

I'm currently taking Gabapentin. It helps with the burning, but I have brain fog and memory problems on it. Docs have suggested trying Lyrica. I am open to it, but don't want to jump around on meds if I'm just going to have the same issues... I'm pretty sensitive to meds, and it seems like if there's a side effect I'll get it.

I'm only 24 and am trying my best to improve my life. It's so hard to get straight information from doctors, so I would appreciate any info you might have, especially if you've taken Gabapentin and another anticonvulsant so you can compare. But all accounts are helpful!

Sending you all lots of (gentle) hugs!!!

~Pamela

hey pam. I was put on neuron tin(gabapentin) and in the 3 months i was on it I can't tell you about much because it clouded my mind sooo bad . my kids called me ten second tom. I went to see i am number four in the movies and I didn't remember even going let alone anything about it. plus if it wasn't a regular pattern of life I didn't do it. that bad plus It made me bloat Baaad. I WENT FROM A SIZE 38 TO A SIZE 44 IN ONE WEEKEND . and it did nothing for my pain. I was finally taken off . then my psych dr put me on Lyrica to try and help with pain. well it didn't help that but it addressed my insomnia. it actually made me go to sleep. where ever i was. so waking up is an issue now but I can get a cple of solid hours a night of sleep . good with the bad. drug treatment is trial and error. I also take amitrypaline(elavil) with is an antidepressant also used for pain management and it helps with sensitivity. not a lot but enough where i can feel a difference. I also take amrix with is a muscle relaxant. that helps calm the spasms some and vimovo for an antiinflamatorant and antacid combined. it helps the joints and of course the heart burn. its a lot and its still not as effective as it needs to be but its life. speak with your doctors though and explain the best you can what you are going through if it helps keep a journal and bring it with to your drs appt,s. good luck and god speed

Pamela,

Your question is one that has been asked many times. While treatment of many conditions is unique to that individual, it REALLY seems to be even more unique with treating CRPS. I have done quite a bit of research on it and what works for one person may (or may not) work for the next.....

Many doctors will initially prescribe neurontin (gabapentin is generic for it) and then go from there. That is what my podiatrist did for the CRPS in my foot.

The gabapentin works reasonably well for me, but I will agree that there is a bit of brain fog. It has cleared some over time as I have gotten used to the drug, but I still am not as mentally sharp as I was before I started taking it. I now make lists every morning to help me remember things!

The doctor tried weaning me off of the gabapaentin to see how well it really was working and boy did we find out in a hurry that it IS working! So back on it and the pain was definitely much better controlled. I take gabapentin, amitriptyline and trazadone (for mood/sleep). And another VERY important medication for me is naproxen for inflammation and associated pain. Oftentime docs will prescribe the 500 mg version of this drug, but to save a few bucks I just take two of the 220 mg of generic naproxen sodium available anywhere. Really the same stuff. I take 440 mg twice a day (always take naproxen with food and long term under doctors order) So that is my meds cocktail. It took me a year to develop this meds mix and while I would never rule out experimenting with Lyrica, etc.......as you always wonder if the grass is greener on the other side, for now I'll stick with what is working relatively well.

So there is no definitive answer. Sometimes you have to experiment a bit, which isn't fun, but if it results in better pain control, it's worth the effort.
Keeping a pain journal and notes about what works/what doesn't is definitely a good idea so you have some "history" to refer to as you work through this roller coaster ride. And never hurts to revisit what you are taking periodically as "tweaking" is often necessary.

Good luck to you and keep us updated!

Lyrica worked MUCH better from me. The neurontin/Gabapentin really didn't do much for me at all whereas with the Lyrica it was definitely a noticeable difference. But everyone is very different. Sometimes finding the right combination of meds is the key. But if one of the symptoms is particularly bothersome then it may be worth it to try something new. Just make sure to taper on/off the meds. I had a few doctors that were putting me on and taking me off meds abruptly and it really messed me up big time last year and I ended up with seratonin syndrome in the midst of a whole bunch of new RSD symptoms. NOT fun. Always be careful with any meds you take.

hey birch lake... just some info u may like I took napraxen too and yes u r right eat first but it still caused me problems. so my PM put me on vimovo with is basically napraxen and nexium in one. I hope that helps...
Pamela I hope these responses show how different each of us is ..ie treatment and what works and what doesn't . all we can do is tell u how it works for us so like catra said search for your ideal treatment but use caution. know the drugs pros and cons first then ask the dr what they are hoping for with that drug and a journal will only help.

Thank you so much for all of your perspectives. I know everyone is so individualized, but even so I find your stories helpful in making leaps to try different medications... I think I'm going to give Lyrica a try. I figure if I don't like it I can always go back to Gabapentin.

Gentle hugs to all :hug:

gabapentin or lyrica
 

For well over a year I have taken gabapentin first 300 and until 2weeks age 1200 mg 3 x day and I had a block in the front right under my collar bone with the last one causing excruciating pain all over my body and I had already had 6 from my lower spine all the way up to my neck with no relief from them either.. I went to see my PM Dr and they wanted me to try lyrica. Tapering me off the other I was feeling so much pain already I couldn't tell ya if it was good bad or indifferent. Yesterdays Dr visit she decreased gabapentin To 2 a day for 5 days and 1/2 for 5 days then stop. The lyrica 1 in the am and 3 at bedtime then increase to 150mg.. I know it has to get in my system but anyone know how long it takes. I am also on ms contin, percocet
, zoloft and zanax, the last 2 I've been on for over a year since I lost my oldest daughter in a car accident. According to the Dr 3 surgeries on my right foot and a hand injury plus chronic depression caused Mr RSD/CRPS to come settle in with me. The death of my child was bad enough.....and now this. It has been the absolute worst past year of my life. This pain is unbelievable not to mentioned my broken heart.. Entire right side and yep you got it it wasn't diagnosed until after 11 months. There's a special little window with this disease and if you don't catch it well I don't believe there's any going back. My stage of this I'm told is full blown and irreversible. The only thing not done to me is my last visit on Tuesday we dicussed a neurostimulator trial both in my neck then one later in my spine. Wow was my thoughts. This disease has taken over my life and not ONE DAY goes by that I'm not severe pain.....it gets really hard trying to cope with everything.

Saralee...please don't give up hope. And don't let the doctors take it from you either. I can't tell you if going with a stimulator (SCS) is the right decision for you because you are the only one that can make that decision. It's not for me and that decision has been made based on the risks associated with it and the high percentage of failure rates in RSD/CRPS patients. But there ARE other options and don't let the doctors tell you different and make you feel like you have no other choice.

Please see this thread that CRPSjames posted for you and another new member:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread168953.html

And this one about tDCS:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread168953.html

There's also ketamine out there as an option that has put many patients into remission. I don't know as much about it because it was far too expensive a treatment for me where as tDCS is very inexpensive and I can treat myself at home with no side effects and it is not invasive at all.

I'm not knocking SCS, as there are some people who are very happy with theirs, but I just want you to know that it is not the ONLY option out there. So when you are making decisions about whether to go ahead with a risky procedure, you should have the information about the other treatment options available.

Don't lose hope. If you read the tDCS thread started by ballerina I think you will be inspired by her journey with tDCS and the difference it has made in her life. Things CAN get better and don't you listen to any doc that says they won't. A year ago my family doctor who had been my doctor my whole life told me that I was just going to have to learn to live with the fact that I was stuck in a wheelchair. I left the office that day and never went back. I found a GOOD doctor who didn't give up on me and I am now walking and hope to never see that stupid wheelchair again. Don't let yourself give up...you have to keep fighting for your future without pain.

Originally Posted by ballerina
Hi Alt,

Please do your own extensive research regarding Spinal Cord Stimulators of any kind and CRPS.


*edit*
As with any treatment for CRPS, becoming educated is the best path to becoming a good advocate for yourself.

Do not include me on this list!
 

James, I have asked several times before not to be included on this list! I am having VERY successful results from both my cervical and thoracic stimulators. They had to change out the percutaneous leads for paddle leads in my thoracic SCS. This is not what I call a failure. To me, that "revision" was not a big deal, it was necessary and produces better results. I have NOT experienced spread because of them either.

I will not try tDCS, it's not for me. I cannot tolerate any of the medications or PT (or medication in the blocks any longer). SCS saved me! It gave me use of my hands and arm, so for now I continue to work because of SCS...that is success!!

Nanc