So, today was my first trip to the RSD Specialist/Pain Management Specialist (I just, thanks to Sandra learned how to post pictures on a thread, so, feel free to reference them). He then told me, essentially I had RSD, but that he needed a bone scan done and a sympathetic block as well (swearing that the sympathic block would be the absolute definitive diagnosis). When I explained to him that I was taking 1800 mg of Neurontin daily, coupled with low doses of Vicodin, and, that my quality of life, in terms of pain management was poor (I have left the house three times this past week and a half, this being one of the times, and, another doctor's visit accounting for the other of the three times), he put me on a drug called Keppra. I am sure some of you are familiar with it....interested in any positive or negative feedback out there...
I already feel drugged up, will I feel more so?

Have you started the Keppra?
Can you take it when Cindy is there??
Taking new things are ALWAYS scary, especially when you're on other things. I hope you found what I sent you useful about the Keppra, I had never heard of it before either.

I wasnt sure if Nuerontin was working for me or even made me feel different.

Also, if anyone in the Nuero Talk Commnities here is on Nuerontin as well as Keppra, please ring in here. The medical fact sheet says not to be taken with other Anticonvulsants and I'm just worried for my Rocker Pal!

So it seems clear here that you are getting some treatment, I'm glad the ball is now rolling for you. When will everything be scheduled? Fill a sister in!

Greyhound,

I do appreciate the info you sent me. I am concerned to start this treatment for a number of reasons (one of them being the one you mentioned). On one fact sheet for Keppra, it also said it interacts with anti-anxiety meds (specifically mentioned Diazapam, which I take 20 mg of daily), sleeping meds (it named generic Ambien, which I take), and narcotic pain relievers (Vicodin, which I take). I don't think I am going to start the medication until some other people can chime in on this thread with some knowledge, and, or I can talk to the pharmacist in the morning. Ironically, I told the "specialist", pain management specialist mind you, about all the drugs I am currently taking, and he never said a peep. I will be furious to know, if, by calling the pharmacist, to find out that the interactions could be very dangerous. But, it certainly wouldn't be the first time that has happened!

GREYHOUND THANK YOU SO MUCH for your vigilence and looking out for me for the potential risks/dangerous involved. You are appreciated!

PS, because my "case" is Worker's Comp, both tests (the bone scan and the sympathetic block) have to be approved by them (which, they can take up to 10 days just to approve it...scheduling it aside and a further waiting period. So, though the "ball is rolling," as you say, it is moving slowly. So, who knows how far in advance those things will be. I have learned to wait. Worker's Comp is nothing but waiting. After 6 months, it becomes second nature really.

However, on the good news front, Worker's Comp just approved 4 more physical therapy visits after a two week lag without and triple the pain in absence of. I am fortunate to have an excellent physical therapist who NEVER has me push past the point of pain, but, instead, STOPPING when there is pain. She has been such a great factor/assest in this "game" that is Worker's Comp/instrumental in getting me the treatment I need.

You know...I completely sympathize with the waiting game here...

Because I couldn't get the nerve block and more tests were ordered for nothing.
I had to cancel all of my Physical and Orthopedic (which helped my neck) because I'm waiting for my block. The block may have a better chance of working when I follow up with medication and therapy so I don't want to waste my 20 visits until I get it done. For now, when it gets out of control I'll ask Brian to massage a little of the muscle to soften things up...but really in the neck area it's a bit tricky and well...I don't trust just anyone to mess with my spine, not even LoveMuffin!!!!

Looks like we'll just have to keep dealing and dealing some more and keep as uplifted as possible!!!!!!

There will be an end, someday!

I took a Trazadone...I think it's actually working. Finally feel like I can rest a little...let's hope at least. I'll wake up a billion times stuck or like I'm a block of ice or in a pit of fire...which one will it be?

Please talk to the Pharmacist tomorrow and let us know!

Rock on Girl!

we have these med checkers in the useful stickys -

Medications /Interaction checkers and Pill Identification links


http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interac...,4109,,00.html

http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

http://gsm.about.com/interact/inter.asp

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz...gGuideHome.jsp

http://www.pharmer.org/identification

some are nicer to use than the others and some will let you add in supplements and vitamins to check

Thanx for this info, very cool to chime in and help!

thanks so much for passing on the info;..thanks a million

Hi there,
I believe that the drug Keppra is used to treat epilepsy.
I hope these links help you:

http://www.drugs.com/keppra.html

http://www.virtualneurocentre.com/drugs.asp?drugid=3142

http://www.medscape.com/druginfo/dos...notype=default

Thanks and if you need anything just as
Alison