Gabapentin Fog

Comment

Comment by Julie on April 22, 2010 at 3:30pm

Sabrina,

You are a fighter, remember that. I'm sorry taht you have atypical TN, that's very painful. Thank you so much for the comment. The temp at my doctor's office told me she's on nerve medication, & keeps going. My hats off to her. But, there are people that are strongly affected by the medicine, & worn out from the pain. I understand, people don't see the pain on us, we look fine to them-but we're fighting the pain the best we can. There are so many of us that have the same situation. I have nerve pain in my arm, & am having a deja vu w/ people reacting to my TN pain. I think these meds really do mess up your system, I'm not the same person I was before. Hope you have a pain free day.

Comment by Lee on April 21, 2010 at 9:18pm

Hey Julie,Thanks for your welcome.Sorry the gamma knife didn't work out so well for you.I have not tried any procedures yet but plan to get a surgeons opinion.I have atypical tn and have heard there has not been much success with procedures or surgery for this type.I talked with an RN from Fl hospital and he told me they usually treat it with medication.Thats not what I wanted to hear because I have so many side effects from the meds.I am on neurontin 800mg three times a day along with 20mg of Baclofen three times a day.I feel like a stoner and act like one too.My memory is poor,I am very drowsy,and slow.I was an RN for 22 years but am on disability now.I went into nursing to help people,not kill them!With me having memory problems and being so slow but needing the meds for pain,I felt it was only right to give up my career.I know alot of people with tn continue to work everyday,I just don't happen to be one of those people.I feel my friends and family,except my mom,just don't understand and I feel they look down on me and think I have just turned into a whiner.I am thankful I have found this support group and thanks again for your welcome.

Comment by Julie on April 7, 2010 at 12:04am

James,
No, I'm only on 15oomg a day, & of course they want to up the dosage more. Oh heavens, that is so much medicine James. I'm sorry to hear that you have to take that much. I can barely take my other pills w/ the Gabapentin. I feel like a light weight. My husband & I have started taking are medications at the same time @ night, what a couple! Hope the rest of your week is better.

Comment by Julie on April 6, 2010 at 11:53pm

Melodye,

Thank you. I hope your week is going well, & your feeling better each day. I remember reading on the UCLA website a patient's blog about not picking up objects after the MVD surgery. I think your are an inspiration.

Comment by Melodye Olsavsky on April 5, 2010 at 8:22am

Julie, I hope you have a good day today :-)

Blessings, Melodye

Comment by James Curley on April 5, 2010 at 8:00am

Hi Julie,
One thing I didn't note-are you taking your 1500mg of gabapentin all in one dose in the morning? You mentioned that you felt particularly exhausted two hours after taking it. I took my 2700mg in three doses-900mg in the morning, 900 in the afternoon and 900mg at night. I know some people take it in two doses but I have not heard of anyone taking it all at once. I hope you have a great week, as well.
James

Comment by Liz K. on April 5, 2010 at 12:27am

Hi Julie,
I know how difficult it is to get to work. My problem is also getting there on time. I may be having a gabapentin fog because I am confused and have memory problems. I take 3600 mg of gabepentin and have been for about 17 mths. This past week I have been thinking about retiring. It is getting hard for me to function. And I am concerned about my work performance. But my problem could be the trileptal since I have increased it.
Liz K.

Comment by Julie on April 4, 2010 at 11:56pm

James, thank you so much for your comment. I think patients of TN offer so much guidance & support over a doctor because they know what it's like. I hope that it disappears for all of us. Hope you have a wonderful week.

Comment by James Curley on April 4, 2010 at 6:10pm

Hi Julie,
I've just joined this group today-didn't know it existed. I've had TN for 20 years-actually atypical and I have been on many meds. I was on neurontin for about two years-2700 mg. Some days I could get by with less. Trust me Iknow about the drowsiness impact of neurontin. Mornings were very difficult for me and there were many afternoons when I needed to lay down. I am now on lamotrigine 100mg and 1.5mg of klonopin. I also take a little gabapentin as nedded-usually 300mg/day-sometimes 600mg. I've pretty much run out of any non-opiates to take since I have been on almost all of them. What I am on now provides me with the best pain relief with the fewest side-effects but I am weening off of the klonopin because it is potentially adeictive-so far it has not been a problem but I know I have grown dependent, hence my decision to ween off. One effective med I took in conjunction with the gabapentin was cymbalta but my psychiatrist took me off of it(I am bi-polar) because he believed it was kicking me into hypomania which I am prone to. I'm not a Doctor but I have seen many neurologists in the pst 20 years. I hope you have one who truly understands TN-alot don't Good luck! James

Comment by Julie on March 9, 2010 at 10:35pm

Ro,
Thank you for your support. You are so strong to be on all that medicine. Does it seem like the longer you're on the medicine, the stronger the medicine becomes in your system? I would've thought the opposite. I remember being on Keppra for my ulnar neurapathy, that's some strong stuff. I'll never forget the name. Thank you for the comment, it helps immensely.