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Skelaxin and Neurontin combo?

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Posted 7/26/2008 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
My insurance denied my prescription for Lyrica so the doc wants me to try Skelaxin and Neurontin together.  I have used both of these meds in the past just never at the same time.  I have been back on Skelaxin for 2 days and even though it says may cause drowsiness, it only makes me mildly so for about a half hour.  I have to start slow on the Neurontin to avoid side effects but I'm concerned about the drowsiness that it states it can cause on the bottle.  Has anyone been on both of these at the same time and if so, were you like totally zombified??
Posted 7/26/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Red,
I'm on neurontin and I also had to start slow and ease up. I've never been on skelaxin - is it a muscle relaxant? Because I was on a mild muscle relaxant for awhile after my surgery - along with the neurontin and percocet. I couldn't stay awake! But sorry I can't speak to the combo you're on. Someone else probably can, but still you know everyone's different. Maybe just do as you said - try adding the neurontin very slowly. I had to get my neurologist to give me 100mg tabs. He kept saying that doesn't have any effect, but it did for me. I finally built up to 400 mg, 4X/day but it took months and months.

PaLady
Posted 7/26/2008 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Red. Don't you just get SO annoyed with insurance sometimes? I just don't understand how they can say their "doctors" know better than the ones who treat us what is and is not an appropriate medication. ARGH! eyes
Posted 7/26/2008 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Umm Annoyed wouldn't be the word I would use! I was very angry and I got an explanation letter in the mail today and it stated that Lyrica hasn't been CLINICALLY proven to be safe in neuropathy's. And since it hasn't been studied properly, they won't cover it.

PaLady, yes Skelaxin is a muscle relaxant. I really like Skelaxin, it helps ease my muscle spasms and I was going to try and stick with just that but after my muscles relax I still get the sharp "electrical" type pains up and down my neck. Doctors orders - 300mgs of Neurontin take 1 pill for 5 days, then 2 pills for 5 days and then 3 a day. I just don't want to be a zombie - no I take that back - I CAN'T be a zombie because I am the primary caregiver to my 89 year old grandmother who has Alzheimers. So maybe by starting slow with the Neurontin it won't have that drugged up effect??
Posted 7/26/2008 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Red,
I'd just say start out according to the instructions for the neurontin and if it becomes too sedating call your doc. They do make 100mg capsules in neurontin (generic, too) and if going up 300 at a time (the same thing my doc had first instructed me) is too much, ask your doc if you can try going up more slowly. But maybe you'll be fine, too.

Lyrica is also a lot more expensive. I think that's primarily why the insurances either won't pay or have special authorization protocols. Just like with a lot of the newer meds. And your insurance plan (any insurance plan) can decide which drugs it's going to have as part of its plan and which ones its not. Sometimes there might be an appeal procedure, but it depends on the fine print in your insurance plan.

Palady
Posted 7/26/2008 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I was on both for awhile...The Skelaxin is a muscle relaxer where as the Neurotin is a nerve pill that is suppose to discourage the nerves from hurting. It worked for awhile but after a few months it stopped working and they took me off of the Skelaxin and tried something else. Nurotin can be taken up to 300 mgs in 100mgs capsules (or at least that is what I was on)
Posted 7/26/2008 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
FYI: My cousin is a pharmacist and has told me that at 1600mg/day, I'm on a mid-level dose of neurontin. In other words, some people take almost twice as much. I think it also has to do with how much you tolerate the side effects. If I take any more I really get groggy, and I think I tripped once inside my own home because I was trying to increase the dose - as per my doc's instructions. It was at that point that I told him I couldn't handle anymore, regardless of what other people can manage!

PaLady
Posted 7/27/2008 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Well so far so good. No major side effects. I have been on the combo now for 2 days. I am only at 300mgs nightly of the neurontin and I go up to 600mgs on Wednesday. So after the build up, that makes 2400mgs of Skelaxin daily and the 900mgs of neurontin. Yesterday I felt pretty good - no pain in my neck which was a good thing because I had a pool party with some girlfriends of mine. I didn't want to be the stick in the mud because of the pain. So I'm glad my body cooperated at least! :)
Posted 7/27/2008 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Oh forgot to mention - pool parties are fun but the sunburn is NOT! lol
Posted 7/27/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Sherry. I'm so glad to hear this seems to be working for you! No pain in your neck! Wow! That's just so exciting! Maybe once you get to the full dose this will start to help your back too, huh? That's what I'll pray for! :-)

On a side note - Please forgive me in advance whilst I act all "parenty" for a minute... Many of these medications we all take can cause a greatly increased sensitivity to sunlight and the potential for more than average sun-damage to your skin. And I see you have a sunburn... So.... PLEASE tell me you will wear a big floppy oh-so-stylish hat and LOADS of sunscreen for your future pool parties! cool

Okay, I'm done. devil Now I'll just say I hope you had a WONDERFUL time at the party and ummm... next time can we all come?

tongue

Ry
Posted 7/27/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I did wear sunscreen with a high spf but I guess the sun was too strong. :) My hubby is out of town on a Harley trip so us gals decided to get together and hang out by the pool. So the next "gal" party is at my house! :)
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