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neurontin as preventative ??

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 2/12/2006 7:16 AM (GMT -8)
Well I just finished a month on Topamax and have stopped it as of 4 days ago. Side effects: irregular heartbeat (skipping beats) mood swings, terrible focus (I am a CPA and would just forget simple things while doing my work, couldnt even remember how to listen to my voice messages). I am so disappointed as the headaches were dulled (but still there) but I cant just tolerate the side effects.

Anyway I am now going to start another preventative (Ive already tried Depakote, was totally vomitting nauseous from that) then topamax.

Neuro wants to try the elavil-type drugs, i am scared cuz he says heart palpitations are a common side effect. Triptans also cause chest pain for me. I have had my heart checked, it is fine but i do have  heart murmur which is supposedly harmless. Plus i dont need fatigue with my schedule.

A friend is suggesting neurontin and I know i have seen people here on it. What are your experiences?. I am on an antidepressant (Effexor), i hear neuronton helps with anxiety so maybe I could eliminate the effexor if I am successful on neuronton. But does it really help with the migraines? Could I hear some of your experiences. I am not realy a depressed person, emotionally, I feel it is the headaches causing the depression. I started having migraines about 5-6 years ago (i am 48 and perimenopausal, with mom and sister suffering from migraines) . I take fiorocet for pain which my neuro is trying to get to me reduce (I am ) but it is hard, to help with rebound issue. But I have to function, I feel like they just dont get it sometimes. He suggests Advil for paint. If Advil handled my pain I wouldn;t need a neuro!!! duh, is it me??

Not in a good mood today. Thanks for your help.

 

Posted 2/13/2006 6:21 PM (GMT -8)
Is nobody taking Neurontin?

Posted 2/13/2006 9:16 PM (GMT -8)

Natali-

Neurontin is a good medication for those that have tried Topamax but could not continue due to the side effects.

Talk to your doctor of course, but I think its a good next step...

Sara

Posted 2/14/2006 3:10 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks for the reply, I probably will, and ill let you know how I am doing.

Posted 2/14/2006 5:15 PM (GMT -8)
I was on Neurontin a few years back for my migrains. I started to loose my hair. I also had trouble consentrating and not feeling good in the morning. I felt dizzy and had to hold on to the faucet while taking a shower. I finely went off everything for a year, even hormone replacement therapy . I only took Amerge when I had a very bad migraine. I finely had to go on elavil a few years ago because they started getting frequent again. The elevil worked for a while and now I am taking Topamax only and have been on it for 3 weeks with so far no side effects. Everything seems to work for a while. I keep waiting to out grow them, I will be 65 next month. I hope this works for you.

Take care, Margie in Canada

Posted 2/15/2006 4:13 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Margie,

 Hope the Topamax works for you; it did help my headaches, this week since ive been off it

has been a bad headache week. What dose of Neuronton were you on? Did it work, besides the

side effects? thanks for the reply, and good luck to you.

Posted 2/15/2006 7:44 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Natali,

I was on the maximum does of Neurontin the entire past year for nerve pain in arms and legs from Lyme Disease.  I found Neurontin to be very helpful for that type of pain.  Neurontin, however, has a new successor called Lyrica, which I am taking now.  Max dose is 300 mg per day.  Lyrica is a "cleaner" drug that is easier on the liver.  You might want to ask your doctor about Lyrica too.  I'm lucky because I've been able to take the Neurontin(3600 mg per day some months) and Lyrica and not have bad side effects.  Drowsiness has been the main one I've had.  I hope this helps.

Posted 2/26/2006 8:17 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Natali,
Many years back, I took Neurontin for 8 months, had no side effects to speak of, in fact i have much more side effects with topamax.
Neurontin helped a lot, so well that my neuro and i felt we could discontinue the treatment. once i stopped taking it, i felt very good, the migraines were down to only a few a month (the good old days !). When i returned to neurontin, it did not work its magic. i still remember neurontin as a "clean" medication, one that made a significant and positive change in my life.
Do take care,
Rabbit

__________________________________________
I'm not a "migrainer" : I suffer from migraines. I can feel them, observe how they weave into the fabric of my life and hurt my sense of self. When they hit, I try to be a spectator and cradle the part of me that hurts.
Posted 2/27/2006 10:44 AM (GMT -8)

Thanks, I have an appt with a new neuro on 3/21 and will talk to him

about the Neurontin. The past weeks have been tough, had a 4-day migaine

with my period, I just read your Closing message, I have to remember that

as lately I am getting really down, it is such a struggle living with headaches.

Best of luck to you and hope you get some relief.

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