Re: Need help deciding what medication to take

[Guest guest]

Carol, I know you've had the brain tumor so things are a little different for you.  I have taken both Neurontin and Lyrica for nerve pain and fibromyalgia.  The Lyrica works much better for me.  In fact, I ran out one weekend and after a couple of days I could barely move.  But that is just me.  I've not had any side effects that I'm aware of, not even the swelling of hands and feet for the Lyrica.  My SIL also takes it and she gets the swelling.  But then, my husband told the judge my medications make me delusional so maybe he's aware of something I am not.  NOT!!

PeggyOn Fri, Apr 29, 2011 at 11:48 AM, carolmarie20041957 <dcvaughan@...> wrote:

 

Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my " pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements, slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head. I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side effect.

I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be appreciated!

Carol V.

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I've taken both and I've tried Lyrica twice. Neurontin gave me severe memory

problems, slurred speech, & headaches. It was so bad that I had to have scans to

rule out a stroke. Both attempts with Lyrics caused worsening of my depression

and weight gain. I'm sure lots if people have had success with it but for me the

side effects outweigh the benefits.

Cindi

Tallahassee,Fl

carolmarie20041957 <dcvaughan@...> wrote:

>Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side

effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my

" pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

>

>There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to figure

out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both medications

list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may be a

question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening of

mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

>

>I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

>

>Carol V.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,I take both Neurontin & Lyrica for severe Restless Leg Syndrome that started after my first fusion 20 years ago. I tried everything but back then there wasn’t much available. I finally was put on Mirapex & Neurontin, & starting them was awful. My neurologist said to give them a week, which I did, & the symptoms lessened but didn’t go away entirely. The Neurontin really bothered my speech, & I was concerned because I have to speak to groups a lot with my job. Finally I tried just taking it at night, & after a few days my slurred speech went away. This is not the recommended way to take it; my neurologist said you’re supposed to divide up the doses so that you keep a level dosage in your body. When Lyrica came on the market a couple of years ago my neuro. put me on it right away, along with the Neurontin & Mirapex. Lyrica is my miracle drug!! I have no side effects & the only time I have leg cramping =and spasms is if I’ve been standing or walking a lot. I feel completely normal for the first time in years. Everyone is different, of course. Hope this helps!DorcasSt. Louis From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of carolmarie20041957Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 10:49 AM Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my " pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it. There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements, slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head. I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side effect. I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be appreciated!Carol V.

[Guest guest]

Carol, I’m on neurontin –600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver for me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best, Kate

From: carolmarie20041957

Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my "pinched nerve" about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it. There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list "worsening of mood, etc..." (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than Neurontin. Neurontin lists "difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements, slurred speech". I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head. I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say "weight gain" as a side effect. I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be appreciated!Carol V.

[Guest guest]

Carol - How it was explained to me was that Lyrica is the same stuff as

Neurontin but has a long lasting effect so it can be taken twice a day whereas

Neurontin gets " peed out " (docs words not mine) and so has to be taken on

schedule three or four times a day. I was extremely crabby, and brassy, when I

was on Lyrica and Cymbalta together. I now take 600 mg Neurontin twice a day

since I just can't manage to remember the third dose. I'm 'normal' as long as I

take it on time - still have pain but it is down to the 2-3 level. If I forget

a dose I'm miserable in short order - up to the 4-5 level. The docs claim that

if I feel bad when I forget to take it then it is doing something for me. I

feel that if it isn't getting rid of all of the pain, then I'm trading too

little reward for too much risk/cost, i.e. long term side effects. If I forget

for several hours, especially in the morning, I can have a little bit of a

problem with balance - that goes away after I take it again. --Beth

>

> Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver for

me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the

general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if

I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to

meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best,

Kate

>

> From: carolmarie20041957

> Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

>

> Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

>

>

> Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side

effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my

" pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

>

> There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to figure

out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both medications

list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may be a

question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening of

mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

>

> I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

>

> Carol V.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all your responses. The only side effect that cause me to pause is

" Loss of memory " . I don't need that side effect on top of the other ones. If I

have more questions, I'll let you guys know. I don't like the side effect of

" slurred speech " either.......!!!

Carol V.

> >

> > Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver for

me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the

general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if

I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to

meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best,

Kate

> >

> > From: carolmarie20041957

> > Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

> >

> > Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

> >

> >

> > Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side

effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my

" pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

> >

> > There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to figure

out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both medications

list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may be a

question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening of

mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

> >

> > I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

> >

> > Carol V.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I have had a bad memory lately, besides forgetting to take Neurontin - now I can

blame it on the meds!

> > >

> > > Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver

for me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the

general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if

I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to

meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best,

Kate

> > >

> > > From: carolmarie20041957

> > > Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

> > >

> > > Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

> > >

> > >

> > > Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side

effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my

" pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

> > >

> > > There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to

figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both

medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may

be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening

of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

> > >

> > > I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

> > >

> > > Carol V.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Carol V.

> > > >

> > > > Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver

for me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the

general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if

I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to

meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best,

Kate

> > > >

> > > > From: carolmarie20041957

> > > > Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

> > > >

> > > > Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing

side effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for

my " pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

> > > >

> > > > There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to

figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both

medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may

be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening

of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

> > > >

> > > > I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

> > > >

> > > > Carol V.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I too was on Neurontin. Personally, I couldn't wait to wean off of it as it

caused terrible memory problems for me. I didn't realize while I was on it, but

I have a relative who told me that he was having memory problems and had to

change the medication he was taking. I was curious what it was and he told me

Neurontin! I immediately started weaning off it as this was after my revisions

and I desperately wanted to be off all meds anyway. I took me a few weeks to

wean and everything was good again. I've heard of other people who claim that

they didn't have a problem. Sometimes it's just the chance you take!

D (RI)

> > >

> > > Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver

for me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the

general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if

I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to

meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best,

Kate

> > >

> > > From: carolmarie20041957

> > > Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

> > >

> > > Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

> > >

> > >

> > > Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing side

effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for my

" pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

> > >

> > > There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to

figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both

medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may

be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening

of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

> > >

> > > I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

> > >

> > > Carol V.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

That is interesting about Neurontin. I looked at the insert that was given to me

when I got the Rx...didn't say anything about memory loss or memory problems. I

will have to watch it. I may not take it very long anyway. Contrasting with the

side effect of Lyrica, Neurontin sounds like a better bet. (with side effect

anyway)

I read your post & sounds like you're doing very well!! When I went to Dr. Hu

recently (maybe you read my post) she said the problem with the revision

surgery, et al, is tailbone problems. So I have to watch how I recline or sit in

my chair. The same thing with the car...can't recline the seat back too far.

Have to basically sit upright in the chair & the car. Oh, well, that's the way

it goes!

Hope to hear from you again. Good luck!

Carol V.

> > > >

> > > > Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a lifesaver

for me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts down on the

general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d be a bear if

I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react differently to

meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a trial run. Best,

Kate

> > > >

> > > > From: carolmarie20041957

> > > > Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

> > > >

> > > > Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing

side effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for

my " pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

> > > >

> > > > There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to

figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both

medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may

be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening

of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

> > > >

> > > > I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would be

appreciated!

> > > >

> > > > Carol V.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

No, I didn't read your post. I haven't been on in quite some time. I will have

to find it as what you are saying interests me! Good luck with the Neurontin!

D

> > > > >

> > > > > Carol, I’m on neurontin †" 600mgs 3 x’s a day and it is a

lifesaver for me. I don’t have any side effects I’m aware of. It just cuts

down on the general hypersensitivity I have from 30yrs of arachnoiditis. I’d

be a bear if I didn’t take it. Good Luck with your decision. We all react

differently to meds. so it’s impossible to know how they will work without a

trial run. Best, Kate

> > > > >

> > > > > From: carolmarie20041957

> > > > > Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 11:48 AM

> > > > >

> > > > > Subject: [ ] Need help deciding what medication to take

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Dr. Hu gave me a Rx for Neurontin last Monday. I have been comparing

side effects for Neurontin & Lyrica. My family dr. recommended taking Lyrica for

my " pinched nerve " about 2 mos. ago, & I didn't want to do it.

> > > > >

> > > > > There are many side effects for both medications, but I was trying to

figure out which is the better drug, or not taking ANY medication(?) Both

medications list tremors as a side effect, and many other side effects. This may

be a question for my meningioma (brain tumor) site. Both drugs list " worsening

of mood, etc... " (basically, depression). Lyrica has more side effects than

Neurontin. Neurontin lists " difficulty walking or controlled muscle movements,

slurred speech " . I don't need to fall down since I have no bone flap in my head.

I already have trouble with aphasia. They both say " weight gain " as a side

effect.

> > > > >

> > > > > I am pretty stumped. If anyone can give me any direction, that would

be appreciated!

> > > > >

> > > > > Carol V.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>