Prayer Please

[caressa]

Looked up gabapentin on the Internet. Called the pharmacist about 2 hours ago and told him I was going off of it. He said he would call my doctor. I said I am coming off of it, no matter what my doctor says. He says I can't come off it all at once.

The ones with the * are the ones I DON'T HAVE!
drowsiness
tiredness or weakness
dizziness
headache
uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body
double or blurred vision
unsteadiness
anxiety
memory problems
strange or unusual thoughts [glow=red,2,300](beginning to sound good to me)[/glow]
unwanted eye movements
nausea
vomiting [glow=red,2,300](just the once before I went into hospital)[/glow]
heartburn [glow=red,2,300](don't think I have a heart to burn)[/glow]
diarrhea [glow=red,2,300] (have had it in the past, switches about)[/glow]
dry mouth
constipation
increased appetite
weight gain [glow=red,2,300] (lost 15 lbs. according to hospital scales. I think it was because I was not swollen, most of it is fluid)[/glow]swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
back or joint pain
fever [glow=red,2,300]( feel like I have a low grade one)[/glow]
runny nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms
ear pain
red, itchy eyes [glow=red,2,300](sometimes with swelling or discharge)[/glow]

Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

rash - have edema, broke out in several places
itching
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing or breathing
seizures [glow=red,2,300](Thank God not yet)[/glow]
Gabapentin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

When I take this pill, my feet generally end up hurting more!

Now you can see why I have been feeling b*tchy, miserable, and in so much pain, although that is no excuse for rudeness and a closed mind. When I told him they didn't help the pain, he said take more. He has me on 3 capsules 3 times a day.

I need to get some sleep. The pain does not let me lie down.

I would appreciate your prayers.

[SunnyGirl]

You are in my prayers Caressa....

This drug has been used to prevent seizures and was
considered a a standard anti-epileptic medication for
many years.

Do not stop taking gabapentin for seizures without first
talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have
increased seizures if you stop using gabapentin suddenly.
You may need to use less and less before you stop the
medication completely. I strongly agree with your pharmacist
and I would talk to your doctor before suddenly stopping
this medication. It's possible you are allergic to it, but every
thing I've ever read said, do not stop taking it suddenly.

Hugs, SG

[caressa]

The medication was not given to me for seizures. I have never had them and there was no threat of them unless I continue the medication having the side affects that I do have.

The medication was given to me for the pain in my feet, which is neuropathy caused by my diabetes. Thank you for your thoughtful words. I know you meant well.

They tookd me off the medication when I was in the hospital for the 3 1/2 days. They told me I could start them back up. They did not say anything to me about discussing them with my doctor. They contacted him only about taking be off the Celebrex for my arthritis. So now I have learn to deal with the pain, because I can no longer take two of the pain medications I have been on. They also took me off Tyenol Arthritis. I am allowed two extra-strength tyenol a day. If I can't stand the pain, I am allowed 1-2 Tyenol a day although I am only given 40 tablets a month, which means I can't always take two a day. It will be difficult because many people who have fibromyalgia and osteo without the pseudo gout that I have, are on pain patches.

[SunnyGirl]

Knew your gabapentin was not prescribed for seizures...

It's now commonly prescribed for nerve pain and
all kinds of pain problems, tremors, various psychiatric
disorders. Could be you were alergic to it... you've
already made your decision so I wish you well.

Honey takes this medication for his neuropathy and
the pain in his feet and legs that comes with this
diabetic complication...

I wish you all the best and will keep you in my prayers..... SG

[Lin]

My hubby has been on it for several years. He takes three of them each night. He also has many of thsoe same side effects, but the doctors tell him he needs the meds, so he continues. (He also takes other meds that have similar side effects.) For a while he was running low and needed to get them refilled so he jsut took one each night instead of three. He still had the side effects, so when he got them filled he went back to three.

LIN

[caressa]

Thank you ladies. I had several friend who were on it and they told me it didn't work for them, but I took it because my doctor kept saying a good pill. I have had not seen that it helped, the pain is still there, so why take a pill which is suppose to take it away, when it isn't working and giving me all the side affects? I am use to dealing and living with pain, I do not want to be taking something that affects the rest of my body that way. I chose a long time ago, to live inspite of the pain.

Your hubby is taking three at night Lin, my doctor had me on 3 tablets 3 times a day and it wasn't working. I kept telling him wasn't working, he kept saying take more. We all know that more doesn't work. If some works, more isn't going to work either. I learned that a long time ago, but again, I discounted myself and didn't listen, because I wanted this magic pill make the pain all go away.