V8 or chocolate and gabitril started

[Guest guest]

Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices, and strawberries all count

as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

I'd rather be asleep.

On Dr appt. Got a new med.

Gabitril (Tiagabine Hydrochloride)

Has anyone else be prescribed this anti-seizure med for neuropathy?

Cheers,

Alan

Raleigh, NC

[Guest guest]

--- " happaining " wrote:

>Got a new med.

> Gabitril (Tiagabine Hydrochloride)

> Has anyone else be prescribed this anti-seizure med for neuropathy?

>

>

Alan -

I've been on Gabitril for several years for several neuropathy. It is the only

seizure med that has ever done anything for my neuropathy pain, and I've tried

them all. It's also the only seizure med that has not given me unbearable side

effects.

It will make you sleepy, so only take it at night. But as far as I'm concerned,

that's a good side effect! Anything that helps me sleep through the pain is a

good thing.

Otherwise, it has given me no side effects.

You need to have your liver and kidney function checked regularly (simple blood

test, but doctor must know what to check) while you are on this med. It does

have the potential to cause some problems there for some people - it's a rare

condition, but one that must be monitored. As I said, I've been on it for years

with no problems. Do blood checks every six months to start, then you could

probably go every year if you have a couple of years with no problems.

Gabitril also has the rare - but potentially dangerous - possibility of actually

causing seizures. You must start with a TINY dose and titrate up VERY VERY

slowly. And your top dose will seem very small compared to other seizure med

dosing - I only take 12mg a day, but it's just a different drug and that's all

it takes.

NEVER stop it (or any seizure med) cold turkey or you WILL experience seizures.

Also talk to your doctor and pharmacist to make sure you know the subtle

symptoms to watch out for as you start to take it. Things like shaking or

compulsively tapping fingers, twitching eyes or lips, unconscious tongue

movemets, are all signs that this med could cause seizure problems. Again, this

is RARE, and every drug has its risks, so don't let it stop you from trying it,

but be knowledgable and aware so you don't suffer any bad repurcussions.

Don't expect any of these off-label drugs to magically take all your pain away.

This will be a successful drug for you if you see a noticable reduction in your

symptoms. I actually saw an improvement within a few days or week of starting

it. You may not respond quite so quickly, but if you get to a top dose without

any change, it probably isn't going to work for you.

As far as I'm concerned,this is one of my " miracle drugs " that in combination

with my continuous release opiods make my life worth living again. I hope you

have the same good results.

Cheryl in AZ

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