[camyam73]

Well, I finally had a follow up with my physiatrist after the nortriptylene gave me side effects... He in turn prescribed gabapenten. I'm very unsure if I wish to take this medication... my headaches are not great, and yes, I still take advil, but not every day. I sometimes need advil three times a day, sometimes not at all. I just don't know if the benefits outweigh the risks, especially since I will once again start a new round of fertility treatments this coming month... I can say I feel I am about 60% recovered... I am thrilled actually, since I now have more good days than bad days (although I still get daily headaches, but I am able to simply ignore them, or sleep them off when I don't take the advil)

So - Advice, warnings, whatever... all welcomed.

[Mark in Idaho]

The research is incomplete. There are some issues about pregnancy with gabapentin in animal studies but no studies or data about use of gabapentin in pregnant women. The common comment is to avoid it unless it is necessary. If taken, be sure to take adequate folic acid.

Sounds like caution is warranted.

[DrAwkward]

Originally Posted by camyam73

Well, I finally had a follow up with my physiatrist after the nortriptylene gave me side effects... He in turn prescribed gabapenten. I'm very unsure if I wish to take this medication... my headaches are not great, and yes, I still take advil, but not every day. I sometimes need advil three times a day, sometimes not at all. I just don't know if the benefits outweigh the risks, especially since I will once again start a new round of fertility treatments this coming month... I can say I feel I am about 60% recovered... I am thrilled actually, since I now have more good days than bad days (although I still get daily headaches, but I am able to simply ignore them, or sleep them off when I don't take the advil)

So - Advice, warnings, whatever... all welcomed.

Camyam I cannot speak to fertility issues but I take Gabapentin 3600mg a day for Peripheral Neuropathy with any adverse side effects. They added Nortriptylene to that as well and that did cause side effects so I'm off of it now. Yesterday my neurologist started me on a low dose of 30mg per day of Cymbalta then up to 60mg next week. According to my neurologists studies have shown that some patients on Gabapentin receive some relief by adding a low dose of Cymbalta. We'll see I just start it yesterday.
I have non diabetic unexplained PN.
best of luck as we all gets our meds tweated trying to find what works best of each of us as individuals.
Doc

[camyam73]

Thanks guys... I was feeling uncomfortable about taking it, and since my headaches are already on a steady decline, it feels like I could make due without... If I'm suddenly overwhelmed with headaches again I may change my mind, but for now I think I'll use advil infrequently along with rest and self awareness to control the headaches.

[Mark in Idaho]

I think CamYam was more concerned about the health and development of the baby. This is a valid issue with neuro-active meds.

I have been on 900 mgs of gabapentin for 11 years with no side-effects but I am not expecting to get pregnant.

As I said, I believe caution is warranted.

[TooStressed]

I tried Gabapentin a few weeks ago and it made me anxious and may have given me worse headaches. But I may have just perceived all of this since I was only on the drug for a few days and it takes weeks for it to start working. My headaches were likely due to my vision convergence insufficiency as I have recently discovered this after a vision therapy evaluation. One of the fun symptoms of PCS, perceiving too much and getting paranoid about every little thing!

So trying Gabapentin again. On day 3, and feeling mellow so far. Trying to make myself more relaxed about it this time. I am also taking it on top of Amitriptyline 30mg.

__________________________________________________
10 months PCS from mTBI. Chronic daily headaches. Most likely reason for frontal headaches, vision convergence problem. Still have occasional occipital stabbing headaches.

[camyam73]

Thanks Drifting... I made the decision to go drug free... I still get low level headaches, but for the most part I find that I do just fine...

I am also making sure though that I am not over extending myself physically or mentally... If I feel lightheaded as I am walking around, I know it's time to stop, or if I am reading and I find I am reading the same page over and over, I know it's time to just stop....

I'll say though, I've never been more thankful than to be able to read again!!! IT's the little things right now, the small successes that keep me going!