Anyone use Neurotin?

I'm not sure this is the right place to ask this, but I'll try. I have RA,OA and a number of neuropathy problems in different parts of my body. I take prednisone for the arthritis before and after RNY. The doc just prescribed neurotin for the nerve pain and I'm a little worried about starting it. I have had ulcers and gastritis ever since my RNY, taking meds but just can't seem to get it healed up -- YET. Just was curious about anyone's experience with neurotin. Nut

Hi Honey!! Yes, I take Neurontin for restless legs and periphrial neropathy (spelling, sorry) I was deathly afraid to start it as it is origianlly for seizures, but I started it and now the one time I forgot it, I paid dearly and had my legs jumping all night. It used to be so bad that I would boot the little dog off the bed! Another thing that the rheumy has me on is vit. D-3. Something about that and the B-12 I already take has shown to help with Arthritis. They just started my older sis on those vits too. Elizabeth PS once you start Neurontin, do not stop taking it without tapering. I was off it for 2 nights for testing and had SEVER withdrawl symptoms.

Well Well!! Haven't heard from you for awhile!! I still haven't started the neurontin. I'm having a horrible time staying awake now, the fatigue is really bad, not sure why. I just want to sleep for days, not sure that adding another med that is going to make me tired is a good idea. Some other little item I just found out about, my B-12 levels last month are way high, the ref range is 199-732 my results are 968 don't know is that is a bad thing or not. Thanks for your input I DO appreciate it and hope you're doing well. Hugs Nut

Nut I took neurotin for several years with very little results, but I did not have a negative results. The Dr has put me on LYRICA CV which is a new medication. It seems to help with my neuropothy. I am just not sure about how it would effect it would had on ulcers and gastritis. Might ask your Dr regarding LYRICA CV. it is new and suppose to be better than neurotin. Dan

Hi Dan, I read about this new drug somewhere. I hope it helps you. I'm already on 23 meds a day, feel like a zombie all the time, (not that I was all that lively to begin with lol) So I'm nervous about starting another drug that is probably going to make me even stranger than I already am. Thanks for your input. Nut

I have Psoriatic Arthritis and I used Neurontin for about a year, both before and after RNY. It really helped with pain, but to tell you the truth, it made me very tired. i napped every day for several hours while taking the drug...I stopped taking it because my insurance wouldn't cover non-generics...It was a very hard drug to stop taking. I had heart palpitations and on overall feeling of weakness and dizziness for about a week... I didn't seem to have any Gastroinstestinal problems from using it, as a matter of fact, my Rheumotologist encouraged its use because it is not associated with stomach problems like NSAIDS, Celebrex and Vioxx are...And here does not seem to be absorption issues either. But again, it really worked for my joint pain...Sometimes you have to weigh your fears of side effects, and the quality of life you may achieve by going on a drug. In my case, it was worth the side effects....

Kelly, thanks for the input. I haven't started the neurontin, I just got a confirmed diagnois of Crohn's disease. It seems (Iwas told) that inflammatory arthritis is very common so that is why I'm having so much joint pain. They started me on Pentasa I guess it's supposed to help. I already take 23 meds a day, what's another one? not really funny but I NEED to make fun to survive. Nut

Nut, Have you heard of the drug Remicade ? It has been used by a lot of people for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but the good news for you may be that it also works well for people with Crohn's disease. I have an acquaintance who has been steroid dependent for his Crohn's disease since childhood...And he is doing great...He needed to gain weight and has...no diarrhea, no stomach cramps,no joint pain... Remicade is an intervenous drug that must be given every 6 weeks by infusion at a doctors office...But for some people it is a miracle drug..there is the potential for serious side effects, and only your doctor can tell you if it is right for you....There is information about it on the Arthritis Foundation Boards and the Crohn's Disease Foundation Boards also.... Just a thought....

I appreciate the input Kelly. I've heard of Remicade. My insurance doesn't cover it and there's the "little" fact that the doctor has to prescribe it. (sorry for the sarcarsm) The GI doc started me on Pentasa last week, two days into it I broke out into hives from head to toe, my mouth feels like one big hive, my asthma is flared and I just plain feel really sick. I've got call into him today. I stopped taking it of course. This doc is not really open to suggestions and this is the only one I've seen thats investigated this far. I read both the arthritis and Crohns sites, but bottom line is I still have to find a GOOD doctor. Thanks Nut

Nut, Your local Arthritis Foundation may be able to refer you to a good doctor or at least better doctor. Psoriatic Arthritis involves the skin, and I have had stomach problems also...Ii have found that the Rheumatologist has been the one that best manages all the problems, since they are all connected. I got my referral from the local arthritis foundation...Of course the next problem is whether they can find you one who is "in network" for your insurance. Isn't medical care just a joy... Good Luck, Kelly