having some nerve flare-ups lately and considering going on neurntin. For some reason have been very hesitant I guess because of the cimmitment to it. also the weight gain and fatigue. have you had any of those side effects? I use ice alot too.

I haven't had any noticeable side effects. I recently went back to work after 6 months off for medical leave and have been really tired. However, I suspect that is just the transiston back to a whole new routine.

do you think it helped you go back to work? Do you take anything else?

Well, after resisting for 1 1/2 years, I finally am trying neurontin. I was prescribed it for hot flashes and bad sleep of all things and since I have been thinking about it and have been prescribed it for nerve pain I thought I should give it a try. I am trying to get off Lunesta which I have been taking but isnt working for long enough-i can get 5-6 hours of sleep and you cant up the dosage, plus it is not addressing the cause.

They are starting me on a low dose of Neurontin 100mg and then go to 200 mg. This seems so low as compared to most people on the forum. Does everyone start this low? So far it my sleep feels weird. like I am half awake all night. also Dry mouth and a metallic taste . I am hoping it gets better on 200. My doc said I could go up to 300 but that still seems low. They also said dont take the neurontin and the Lunesta at the same time.

Has any other women out there noticed it helping for hot flashes as well?

I have tried every nerve med there is, w/o much luck. Had side effects to all of them so was told to stop taking. Narcotic meds. don't help nerve p. Much. I found muscle relaxants help some but not wo. Side effects for me. I have burning /sore deep pain from my upper back down thru. Scapula & shoulder area. Also sharp stabbing pains in clavicle and base of neck w/numbness, more so after any simple activity.
I started taking Neurotin again, just at nite 600mg. at 7pm, when I'm at my worst. I found 900mg to make me unable to get up in am. No doing whole lot for my pain, but helping me to sleep w/o having to take narcotics or tramadol. I also take ativan at nite. U can go as high as 2700mg., usually 3x day.
I did prolo a lot of different areas for different problems and found some relief, especially for planetary fascitis, elbow tendonitis and thumb arthritis. I remember my prolotherapists said Neural Therapy was for scar tissue from surgery. He did this too.
Good Luck!

My system doesnt tolerate pain and anticonvulsant meds well either. I always have to cut the lowest dose in half to start with. If the side effects are worse than it helps is it worth it? Some docs say your body has to get accustom to the meds. Personally that didnt sit well with me if I couldnt function or ended up in the ER. Anticonvulsants didnt like moi'. But I know others who it works well for. We are all made differently and have to go thru the process of elimination. Yes, anticonvulsants, pain meds, antidepressants leave you high and dry. Keep hydrated very well.

Havent heard of Neurotin for hot flashes. Normally they prescribe an antidepressant for a short period of time. If you research a bit Antidepressants do work for pain patients. The section of the brain for depression and pain is located next to each other. TMS Transmagnetic Stimultor can also be used for not only depression but for pain if the operator is told to incorporate the pain area. Patient's normally get off most of their meds. Sounds good...

yes a new study came out and they are using it for hot flashes as an alternative to anti-depressants. I am up tp 300 mg. So far so good!

I have peripheral neuropathy in addition to TOS (actually, the PN was first I think). When I tried Neurontin I was ok on the super low dose, but it wasn't helping the PN, so they upped it (to what dose I'm not sure). Then I started becoming irritable (******) and finally homicidal/suicidal. So they switched me to Lyrica only to have the same thing happen. I know I wasn't taking a high dose & I wasn't even super regular on when I took it (3x/day but at different times), so I'm not entirely sure what the problem was for me. I just know that I would go to work & want to rip everyone's heads off & while driving I'd think about driving my vehicle into the underpass supports. I never did anything on those ideas, but I really disliked having those ideas every day for most of the day -- especially since I'm typically a very mild mannered congenial happy type person.

I take amitriptyline (Elavil), hydrocodone (7.5 Lortab), and cyclobenziprine (Flexeril) now for my TOS/PN and Imitrex for migraines when absolutely necessary. The Elavil & Lortab are in my daily meds, but I only take the Flexeril when I'm having a bad day/night.

Good luck!