Monday, July 5, 2010

Giving Neurontin another shot

I weaned off the Nortriptilene (Pamelor) because, although it helped me sleep, it was making me feel dizzy, my heart race, and a few times I felt very close to passing out.

I still had that old prescription for Neurontin (Gabapentin) sitting around, which is known to help nerve pain, so I thought I'd give it a try and see if it made a difference. I do think it has helped. The problem is that it becomes less effective the more you take it, so you have to keep increasing the the dosage.

I took 100mg @ bed time for the last 4 days, then today had to add a second 100mg around 3pm when I just couldn't deal with that deep burning feeling like someone's boring into the nerves of my upper jaw, where the root canals were done (which possibly further upset the already inflammed nerve).

I would give anything just to be able to lie on my left side, chew on my left side, rest my hand on my chin, wash my hair without any sensitivity, and feel 100% normal again, but the teeth pains don't seem to be improving any more. I've plateaued.

Burning has increased after a few day quieter days, too, but the weather front that just came through could definitely be a factor. I'm just glad I am feeling better than I was during months 1-5 of this injury. I continue taking the B complex daily and C powder almost every day, though it's tart - I mix with watered down OJ or cranberry juice so as not to irritate the burning tongue; little tough to take so I have with breakfast. And of course clonazepam usually twice a day for the burning tongue.

How's everyone else doing?

3 comments:

  1. Have you given Topamax a shot? I thought it helped a bit.Ptretty expensive though

    I didn't like the Gabapentin, does it really work for nerve pain?
    http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/02/22/gabapentin-neurotonin-lawsuit.html
    what about the side effects? http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_details.asp?channel_id=0&relation_id=0&brand_name_id=3491&page_no=2
    I had loads of them
    I've got the throbbing jaw too what a nasty double whammy.

    Kev

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  2. Please note Kev, Imo, and others, there is a problem with Blogger this morning and comments are disappearing (not just for me but I see on the help forum it's a widespread problem). I am trying to see what they are doing to get this fixed. Just a heads up, as some of you had sent me great posts but they aren't visible.

    Working on getting them published...

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  3. hi iijane,

    just checking in to say hi. i hope you are feeling better since this last post. i also increased my topamax a little bit and am feeling better. i screamed my lungs out at a lady gaga concert so i think i stretched the inferior alveolar nerve; having slight pain the last few days. who cares! it was worth it. : )

    take care,

    kritty

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