Neurontin Or Topomax?

  • Thread starter Thread starter debbie363636
  • Start date Start date
D

debbie363636

Guest
Hi everyone, its a very cold day here in central Ohio, with huge snowflakes that have been falling all day. Its beautiful. Of course I don't have to go out in it. I am going to the doc next week and am considering nerve meRAB. I have narrowed it down to neurontin or topomax and would like to here from anyone who has an opinion as to which one works the best with the least side effects. I hope to use it temporarily until this ankle and leg pain goes away. I also have a burning back ache at L5/S1. Could that be nerve pain too or is it just post op pain? I really appreciate this site and all of you who participate. Have a great day............................Debbie

P.S. FYI there is going to be a report on the CBS national news tonight at 6:30PM on new pain meRAB that are not addictive. (Katie Courics station). Just thought us spineys might be interested.
 
Hi Debbie,
Just read your topic and thought I would let you know my experience with Topamax. I took it (in varying dosages) for about 4 years. The side effects for me were memory loss, drowsy & tired all day and weight loss :). The pain was controlled pretty well by taking this but after 4 yrs I just couldn't deal with the side effects so I stopped it and now have my back pain again.
Hope this helps a little but remeraber that drugs effect everyone differently.

Good luck,
Nancy
 
Hi,

I have not yet tried Neurontin, but I had tried Topamax on two different occasions. The first round, my sleep improved and I lost weight, but the memory loss, difficulty speaking (due to inability to put worRAB together), tingles in my feet/hanRAB, and dizziness got to be very frustrating. When the weight loss stopped, I went off of it. After about a 7 month break, I went back on it, since my sleep had deteriorated and appetite was huge. I did NOT experience the same benefits on the second course, and in addition, I experienced depression/rage/anger, along with the dopey effects mentioned above. It was not a good experience for me.

I am currently taking Lyrica. It's great for sleep, and pain relief, but I am sleepy many days and have gained 27 pounRAB in 6 weeks. I am going to talk to my doctor on Monday about Neurontin as an alternative to the Lyrica. Hopefully, I can take it and get pain relief as well as lessen the weight gain and puffiness I am currently suffering.

Of course, everyone reacts differently. Many do no suffer from side effects while taking Topamax, and I will say, many of the side effects taper off as you are on the drug for a while. If you had asked me during my first round, I would have recommended it. I wouldn't now.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out. Hopefully you will get some relief soon!
 
Yes, different drugs affect different people differently.

That being said, almost every single person who takes topamax says it makes them lose brain power. It's nickname is "dopamax" and it is well-named. People report being unable to put sentences together, forgeting simple things, just generally feeling "dopey." This goes away after a period of time for some people, but not for all.
 
I currently use Lyrica (which is essentially Neurontin) and Topamax together and my PM doc says that the Lyrica augments the Topamax. Although I feel I have benefitted greatly from the addition of the Topamax to the Lyrica, he told me that Topamax is not a good "stand alone" drug compared to either Lyrica or Cyrabalta (another choice) used alone. Clear as mud? Best of luck with your appt next week!
 
Hi,
I was on neurontin 2700mg a day for over a year. Biggest thing that was wrong was my memory and foggy feeling. I take Lyrica now, 450 mg a day.Dr. said thats a lil more than I should be on but after the high doseage of neurontin they had to match it up to get the same relief. I don'thave the foggy feeling and the memory is pretty good now. I drive now, didn't feel alert enough on the neurontin to drive at all. Never took the topomax. But I have to applaud the lyrica, it has given me back some of my life. I suffer from severe permamnet nerve damage in my left foot & leg. I will be on this for life along with lortab and flexiril. There are some who need a lil more than just the nerve meRAB to help with the nerve apin. It sometimes is a cocktail of a few meRAB to get the best pain relief.

I hope I was of some help to you.

Good Luck

God Bless

Carol
 
Back
Top