By Sue R on Friday, June 02, 2000 - 01:20 pm:

I am taking neurontin for a pinched nerve in my back and restless leg syndrome. Has anyone had any experience with this drug? I am trying to build up to 3 a day but
I have noticed at one a day I am having probelms with my knees. They hurt so bad I can barley climb stairs. Is this a coincidence? I also am having some swelling of
my calfs. Whats could be going on?
Thanks for your help.

By Gwen on Friday, June 02, 2000 - 01:20 pm:

I've just checked out Neurontin (Gabapentin) in New Ethicals. Adverse effects listed are dizziness, ataxia (unsteady gait), fatigue, somnolence (sleepiness) and
blurred vision. Nothing about pain or swelling but if you are getting any unusual side effects get back to your doctor.

By Clint on Friday, June 02, 2000 - 01:21 pm:

Hi, Sue. I found this site for my wife who has the Ehlers danlos hypermobility disorder. I am a registered nurse, and I have given Neurontin many times. I don't like
it. I don't see where it helps, and I have seen many side effects. I have seen the swelling before in patients along with joint pain. The side effect that I have seen with
longer usage is blurred vision, pain in the eyes, and other ocular problems. My personal experience is that I don't like that drug. I don't see what Neurontin would
have to do with a pinched nerve either. Have you been on a tricyclic like Elavil (Amitryptilline) for the leg? Good luck and hope this helped.

By Kathy J. on Sunday, June 11, 2000 - 09:28 am:

Hi There,

I was prescribed Neurontin by a neurologist for my SI joint dysfunction. I took it for about a month until I saw another neurologist (I was having severe pain and swelling and trying to find solutions.) I hated the groggy feeling the Neurontin gave me, I was kind of out of it most of the day. Kind of in a cloud. But it helped relieved my pain so I took it. The second neurologist I had suggested Celebrex or Vioxx. I was given some samples of Celebrex. They are soooo much better. It is a long term anti-inflammatory drug without the side effects (although it has possible effects on the liver long term) of the old anti-inflammatory drugs. It's wonderful and helps do the job. I can even have 2 a day on a bad day. I later discovered from a pain therapist that Neurontin is for some kind of neurological disorder. I can't remember the name now, but anyway, it obviously messes with your brain. Get you an alternative drug if you can.

By Donna on Saturday, June 24, 2000 - 04:49 pm:

Nuerontin is an "add on" drug used with other medications to treat Epilepsy. I know because i have to use it or unfortunatly suffer the alternative of having seizures. But unfortunatly I feel like i've been hit by a mack truck most days.

Good luck to you,

Donna

By linda barber on Friday, December 15, 2000 - 08:56 am:

I was recently prescribed nuertontin and it has been really wonderful for me. I have had terrible pain in my legs for years. I have had back fusion surgery which cured my sciatica and numbness in left leg but did nothing for deep muscle pain -- my doctor thinks i may have EDS or fibromyaligia -noone seems sure, but it was my psychoatrist who was treating me for the residual depression from the pain who prescribed the neurontin. I have seen none of the negatives -- i'd tried celebrex and vioxx to no avail. I have seen an dramatic decrease in my pain to the extent that I have been able to cut back on ultram. Ultram is not an opioid as i understand it but it does have some long term addictive qualities. Keep an open mind - some drugs work wonderfully for others and don't do a thing for other people.
Linda

By Patrina on Friday, December 15, 2000 - 01:48 pm:

I've been taking Neurontin for a couple of weeks; my doctor started me at 900 mg/day. That dosage helped my arthritis in a couple of places, but otherwise did nothing. I called my doctor's office back, he doubled the dosage, and it seems to be holding a lot of the pain at bay.

My orthopedist, who's treating me for something else, said that it's often helpful for pain from nerves that are damaged or otherwise chronically pressured. My rheumatologist prescribed it primarily for my fibromyalgia.

I don't know if it'll work for me, long-term, but we'll see.

By Kimberly on Sunday, December 17, 2000 - 07:35 am:

I've finally found a combination of drugs that relieve me of my daily pain. It took almost a year, but I'm glad to say that I'm beginning to feel normal again. I take 2 hydroxychlorquine 200mg in the morning. When I start to feel some pain I take 1 oxycontin 20mg. Sometimes at night I take 2-3 neurotin 300mg. I hate the thought of all these chemicals in my body. But it's worth it not being in pain. I'm hoping that I can eliminate the oxycontin, soon.
My best to you all,
Kimberly

By Joan on Saturday, June 30, 2001 - 08:24 am:

I have been on Neurontin for almost a year now and have found it to be a miraculous drug. The only problem I have developed is a tolerance for it and have needed to have the dosage increased. I am now taking the maximum dosage: 3600 mg/day. I am taking this for nerve related pain from radiculopathies in my arm and leg due to nerve impingement. It may not work for everyone, but it has worked for me . . . and with virtually no side effects.
Joan