Taking Gabapentin,Lyrica,Amitriptyline

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Janice1033

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Hi there was just wondering if anyone else is taking all three of these drugs every day. I have been taking Gabapentin for about 8 or 9 years but the dose is to high now to increase so the Doc has added Lyrica during the day and Amitriptyline for at night. I take the Gabapentin in the am and pm. I have asked my doc about just one drug that would work instead of having to take so much. She said no that these all work togeather.

I have recently had xrays done and she said that it must have been quite remarkable to see as the DDD and end plate sclerosis and disc space narrowing has gotten so much worse. I also have osteoperosis. If anyone else has some thougts on this I would appreciate hearing them.
Thanks Janice
 
MS Contin is a version of morphine (a narcotic pain reliever). This one is a Long Acting medication so I have to take it 3x/day and by doing so it keeps a steady level of the medication in my blood.

Norco is like Vicodin (a narcotic pain reliever). Norco contains 325 mg of acetominphen (Tylenol) vs higher amounts in Vicodin. This one is for break through pain not controlled enough by the MS Contin. I take it as needed, 1 tablet at a time, up to 3x/day.

Soma (carbisparidol) is a muscle relaxer. I take it as needed, 1 tablet at a time, up to 3x/day. The one I take is 350 mg. That dosage is generic and with most muscle relaxers I tend to develop a tolerance. So the 250 mg dosage, not available in generic, quickly became insufficient.
 
You are totally right about perspective. I to have some frienRAB that are not in great places with their health and other such stuff and realize how fortunate I am. I am trying very hard to get some normalsy (sp) back into my life. I will do everything to change how I think and feel. Just some days ( not all the time ) are more difficult. I guess I really came across as a poor me type and I am not really like that, Just had a bad moment. So thanks for the pep talk I did appreciate it. I was the caregiver for my husband when he was very sick for about 5 years and I thank God everyday for his health being restored to him. So I know that if we can get through that we can deal with anything. I am still going to try to get into my doctor and figure out what I need to do to keep going and get stronger. So thanks again and have a wonderful day tomorrow. Janice
 
Gapabentin (which is Neurontin) is usually a drug chosen instead of Lyrica. I've not heard of anyone using these two similar medications at the same time. I tried Lyrica and had swelling in my fingers and hand so I was switched to Neurontin which has worked quite well.

Are you seeing a Pain Management doctor and have you had a full exam and consultation with an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and/or Neurosurgeon?
 
I am going to my doctor in a couple of weeks so I am going to talk to her about a pain specialist and these drugs that you have mentioned here. The way she was talking it was like there were not a whole lot more options for me and I was feeling quite depressed when I left the office. I have had to apply for different jobs within the school district that I work for and some of them are physically demanding so am just not sure what to do anymore. I dont want to cripple myself but need to work. I appreciate the help you are giving me. SounRAB like you have not had an easy time of it either. Take care Janice
 
I was put on the Gabapentin by a Nerosugeon when he decided that there was not anything he could do for me. I thought it strange that even the pharmasist was questioning why I was on Lyrica as well. I am not under the care of a specialist at this time. I am going to start physio once I am back to work. I have been off since June 2nd when I had my ACL reconstructed. I have run out of benifits right now. I am not sure if we have a pain specialist here where I live but it would be a good idea to look into. Is that a specialty all by its self?? If not it means flying to see someone. It can take over 2 years to get into some specialists here. ( B.C. ) Do you take anything else for night time or are you good with the Gabapentin?? Anyways thanks for your thoughts on this I do appreciate your help. Do you know if endplate sclerosis is arthritis??
Janice
 
I have been on Gabapentin and Amitriptyline at the same time. I was taking 100mg of Amitr at night which really helped me but the side affect was too much for me...it helped me put on 30 lbs in just over a month.. :(
 
Luckily my employer provided generous Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability benefits. I went out of work in late April 2009, STD was approved and transitioned to LTD in Noveraber 2009. They require that I apply for Social Security Disability as well but that's fine as the LTD company provides an attorney.
 
My employer will not pay for short term dissablility during the summer because I dont work during the summer even though we pay for benifits for 12 months. So because I had my knee surgery on June 2 and they dont pay for the first 30 days I received nothing for the summer. I just am not sure what kind of work I can do right now I know that I cant lift but as far as the running and gym stuff I just dont know. I will have to be a little more proactive as far as my treatment because I feel like I am floundering a bit. Did you ever feel down about your situation or am I just being a whinner? Sheesh feeling sorry for myself I guess. Trying no to.
 
I take the MS Contin 3x a day, Gabapentin 3x a day, Norco up to 3x a day (as needed) and Soma up to 3x a day (as needed). I have a stronger muscle relaxer my Pain Management physician gave me that is called zanaflex. It's so strong I only take it at night as it makes me a bit dizzy. Gabapentin doesn't make me tired or fatigued at all.

And yes Pain Management is a unique and separate field of medicine. SounRAB like perhaps you are in Canada? I have heard that referrals take longer there. Luckily I found mine quite quickly and was referred by my Primary Care Physician.
 
Wow some of these meRAB I have not even heard of. Did not even know there were such drugs. Soma , MS Contin. or Norco are they all for nerve pain?. I will have to do more research to see if any of these would work for me. I get the burning and pain in my legs in the am and the pm not as bad during the day but I think that is because of the stuff I take in the am. Yes I am in Canada and I live up North and even though Im in a fairly large city we have alot of trouble keeping specialilts never mind family docs. It can be pretty frustrating. When I had my knee done it took 3 years to get in. I will be talking to my doctor next time I see her about a being referred to a pain specialist because that sounRAB like it may be the way to go. Well thanks for your time I do appreciate it.
Janice
 
I do have days in which I get down, which may last 1-2 days, but feel lucky for the doctors, medical insurance, LTD, and my hubby working again 8 months after lay off. I've developed a daily routine that brings a new "normal" to my life and I've always been the kind of person that can't stay "down" for long.

I have a 53 year old cousin in the final stages of ALS (Lou Gherig's). My approach to life has always been "perspective". I may have pain, be medicated, have permanent limits and may never work again even at 44. But I don't have to endure what he and his family are enduring. Putting it in perspective, for me, what I've got going on is insignificant in comparison. When I think about that I realize I can't let it get me down too often or for too long.
 
I Jancie
Yes, it is known gaba/neuro pentin have been known to help nerve pain (makes one very sleepy as well). I took amitrip 5 years but recently changed to Clonidine transdermal patch as the amitrip made me soooo hungry all the time, once I quit, I managed to get my diet back under control. Anywho, Im taking 2700 mg of gaba a day, seems to do absolute wonders for nerve pain, (nerve pain not muscle pain/aches or spasms) in my legs. I havent heard of pregabalin, let us know it it helps have you tried baclofen too?
 
Wow I have never heard so many people say the same thing about one drug. I have gained weight and have had a very hard time trying to loose it. I am beginning to think it could be the drug that I am on. One thing I have noticed is that I was not this hungry before I started Amitriptiline. I am to scared to come off any of this stuff though because I remeraber how bad the burning,aching and nerve pain was before all of this. It has taken alot of trial and error to get to here. I obviously would be happier if I could come off one or two of these but to get through the day and still enjoy living I will stay on it all. I have not heard of using a patch for pain what ones is everybody using and do they work well? Just wondering if they would be worth checking into with my doctor. Thanks for all of the input I am really learning alot by hearing every body talk about what works or doesnt for them. Thanks Janice
 
It is the drug! I went from 112lbs to 140lbs in just over a month. That was last spring and still can't get it off...
 
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