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Posted 11/20/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone - had a question that I am hoping someone can answer.

I took neurotin 2 years ago (300mg) and it gave me an ulcer after 3 or 4 months so I had to stop taking it.  In the last 2 years, I still haven't managed to find another drug that can help with my neuropathic pain.  I take one tramadol a day and one vicodin an night if it is bad.

The pain has become so searing that when I try to go to sleep at night, it feels like I have a knife stuck in each side of my hip (piriformis) so there is no way for me to get comfortable to sleep.  This sort of piriformis/sciatic pain started up bad again because I got hit head on last month by a teenager who was texting while driving.  I didn't have any sharp pain right after the accident but 3 days later the burning pain started and I just haven't been able to get it to quite under control with all my usual techniques of pilates, stretching, trigger injections and even cortisone.  I asked my pain doctor to try neurotin again and started at 100 mg this time and then built up to 300mg over the course of a week.  Within 3 weeks I was back to terrible burning and cramping stomach pain.  The neurotin doesn't get rid of the pain at this dosage but I do feel it takes away that burning, stabbing sensation at night so I can at least sleep.  I have tried taking a priolsec about 2 hours before I take the neurotin at night but no luck.  I feel like this has been the only medication that has been a little helpful so I am a bit anxious to be able to take it so I can function in my day.  If it wasn't for this one side effect, I would be okay.

If anyone has any suggestions.  I stopped drinking any alcohol, chocolate, coffee, mints as to not aggravate it.  I also haven't tried Lyrica because my insurance company denied that first until I tried Neurotin.  I have different insurance from 2 years ago so I had to try neurotin again this time around.  I don't know if Lyrica is more 'slow release' or less irritating.  Any suggestions, I would be greatful.

Posted 11/20/2011 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta and Lyrica are the other two drugs that are most commonly prescribed for neuopathy type pain.

As far as how bad either one of those may upset your stomach no one can really say because this is a very individual thing. The only thing I can tell you is that if you do try either of those to make sure your doctor starts you out at the lowest dose and slowly increases it, no faster than every two weeks but a month is best, until reaching a therapeutic level in order to avoid or at least minimize side effects. Cymbalta should be started out at 30mg once a day and Lyrica at 75mg once a day. The max dose for Cymbalta is 120 mg a day and I do not know what the max dose is for Lyrica.

With each of those medicines it is not uncommon to have to go up at least one level before any noticeable improvement occurs.
Posted 11/20/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest that if your insurance company is going to put you threw this
about the neurotin then ask your doctor for a stomach medicine as well, protonix works
great as well as other stomach medicines, I too have had ulcers (not the h.plori type)
and I do have to take stomach medicines, due to mtx (Methotrexate) hurting my stomach
and I find protonix a good medicine, I also have used Zantac, take both of these medicines
on an empty stomach, I take protonix at 5 a.m every morning then go back to sleep
and ready to wake up and eat and start the day...Zantac is best
to take 20 to 30 minutes before a meal and you might want to go with the 150 mg twice a day
it's otc now, but protonix is a prescription. then after you've had your time in with the neurotin then
ask about Lyrica and Cymbalta like Jim mentioned...
Hope this helps and many well wishes to you...
Posted 11/20/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chatreaux - thanks for the advice.  I think I am going to try the neurotin again tonight since I have weaned off it but start at the 100mg and try that for a few weeks.  It takes more than a month to get in with my pain doctor every time so I might just go to my family doctor tomorrow and see if he will give me this protonix to try with it.  He did give me a 2 week PPI type medication the first time I tried the neurotin and a prescription but when I went to fill it after that 2 week trial the pharmacy said my insurance denied it because there is OTC medication to take.  It costs close to $200 for a one month supply so I just couldn't afford it right now.  I am hoping that I can find one that is generic then.  I will try that along with the zantac.  It is fustrating when you find something that might help but can't control the side effects. 

I did try Cymbalta earlier this year but had insomnia from it and had to give it up.

Thanks again.

Posted 11/20/2011 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
HI a pain like me who would have guessed it would come to this I had and still have an ulser and took nurontin or generic gabapentin for 6 or 7 years my ulcer did'nt change. I was taking 8 capsules a day, the maximum 2400.IT DIDN;T qite work for me when I got fibromialgia,osteoperosis ,degenerative joint desiese and ruptured disks...............................anyway for me it was no problem going off them.

Well after 2 weeks of being on Lyrica my fibro. was much better. I am on a very low dose. Of course I will have to live with all my other pain since I CAN NOT take pain med. due to another yes another. good luck june
Posted 11/21/2011 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Ask your doctor if taking protonix and zantac together is okay, if you do this then take the lower 75 mg of Zantac and before
your evening meal and take the protonix in the morning...Protonix is an older medicine has been around for awhile
and just works better with ulcers...some of the newer medicines for stomach have more side effects,
priolsec didn't work for me either, I've tried most all stomach meds out there and Zantac and protonic work the best,
but usually I take one or the other but if I need a zantac with the other I take a low 75 mg before evening only meal...
Remember these must be taken 20 to 30 minutes before you eat in morning and evening....and don't use any anti acids...
Fingers crossed this help..but next time you talk to your doctor maybe ask him if you can switch to Lyrica and then
hopefully you'll be able to get off the stomach meds....keep us posted...
Posted 11/21/2011 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I had really bad acid reflux whilst I was on Humira and so doc prescribed omeprazole and this worked really well. I am now on gabapentin (neurontin) for the nerve/joint pain caused by the Humira, just had blood test confirmation that it has given me Lupus and currently take 200mg gabapentin three times a day and 10mg oxycodone 3 times a day and 30mg amitriptyline. This doesn't get rid of all the pain but keeps it at a level so I can go back to work. Don't see the rheumy again until Jan 12th next year but my GP gave me the results of the blood test last Friday.
Posted 11/22/2011 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Stripey,
heads up but omeprazole is priolsec...However, I'm glad it helped you out...
Hope your feeling better and I'm so very sorry you got lupus from your Humira.
Many well wishes to everyone...
Posted 11/24/2011 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I take 3000 mg of Gabapentin a day. Have been on it for 5 years and it has not bothered my stomach at all.
The gabapentin no longer takes care of all my neuropathic pain.
I started on Cesamet a couple weeks ago (as well as the gabapentin) and it helps the neuropathic pain quite a bit. (didn't take it at bedtime the other day and was I ever in pain in the morning).
I don't recall any discussion about Cesamet on HW.
Sure helps me.
Bonnie
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