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Kim	Aug-19-03, 10:08 AM (CMT)
"An Ounce of Prevention"
After realizing that I've been in constant pain for about the last 2 months, I decided to re-think my objections to Neurontin. In the past I had migraines once or twice per month, unless I was just really stressed. So I didn't really need a preventive, I just treated the migraines as they happened. Ah time, oh time, and okay, pregnancy, labor and delivery have changed my tune. Not to mention my body and my migraine pattern. Last night I finally broke down and started taking the Neurontin. I don't want to live with constant pain if there is a way around it that doesn't have too many side effects. So far so good. I slept a little more deeply than usual last night. Can live with that. I still managed to keep up with Taylor. I have a slight dull headache right now, but nothing that I need any kind of medication for. I'm supposed to take a pill three times daily. I just took my second dose. I'm getting sleepy. Oh well, I've been sleepy before!! I wish I could take off a few days to see how my body is going to react to this stuff. But... ain't gonna happen. Between my Dr. appts and Taylor's I need to be here!!!! If anyone has any success or horror stories about Neurontin, please pass it on. Thanks, Kim
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RE: An Ounce of Prevention, Annabelle20, Aug-19-03, (1) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, caren03, Aug-19-03, (2) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, LaneysMom, Aug-19-03, (3) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, ridgeback, Aug-19-03, (4) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, NikaB, Aug-19-03, (5) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, hpilgrim, Aug-19-03, (6) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, Elise, Aug-19-03, (7) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, Emily, Aug-19-03, (8) RE: An Ounce of Prevention, antonella, Aug-20-03, (9)

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Annabelle20	Aug-19-03, 10:33 AM (CMT)
1. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
Dear Kim: I do have some advice that may be helpful. When Anna started Neurontin, her former neurologist only wanted her to take 100 mg. a day for one week just to get used to it. The neurologist keeled over when she herself started taking Neurontin for her own migraine condition. So she said she is always cautious in starting it with her patients. Since you have Taylor to care for, you may want to cut back on the dose this week. You can always build it up to a higher dose next week. But I'm not a doctor, and this is only my advice from me to you. It will probably make you sleep more soundly. Hopefully not too much. It tends to make you gain weight. This can be very depressing. I guess the only solution is to eat better and be more active. Anna has not been able to lose the 12 pounds she gained being on Neurontin for a very short time. She was hoping the weight would "fall off" just like it "came on." It isn't working that way. It was sobering to read on Elyse's post those women whose migraine conditions worsened after a pregnancy. I don't blame you for taking it now You have a very good reason to try this preventative--to ease your pain. I wish you well, my dear. Love and kisses to Taylor, Cheryl
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	caren03	Aug-19-03, 10:46 AM (CMT)
	2. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
	Hi, I have tried a trial of Neurontin and I truly had minimal side effects. Nothing compared to a few of the other preventives which I have taken. For the first few days I wobbled a bit when I walked but then that stopped. I did gain weight while on the drug but as soon as I stopped taking it the weight came off within a few weeks. Of course everyones response to meds are different. I hope that you have a good response and find some relief! Caren
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LaneysMom	Aug-19-03, 10:56 AM (CMT)
3. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
Kim, I was on Neurontin for about three months last year. It worked, however, the weight gain was more than I could deal with. I wanted to eat EVERYTHING in sight. And, I had to take it five times a day. Increase your dose gradually. I just couldn't tolerate the weight gain. And, when I got off the Neurontin, the weight stayed with me. I'm now on Topamax, and it works great. However, I didn't get the weight loss s/e of Topamax. I have a 3 year old daughter and my migraines did get worse after I had her. Also, my migraines are strictly hormonal. They came with ovulation and on the 3-4th day of my period. One thing besides T'max that has REALLY helped is prescription strength progesterone cream. Good luck and I hope the Neurontin works for you and doesn't cause you to have the munchies 24/7 like it did for me. Michelle
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	ridgeback	Aug-19-03, 11:16 AM (CMT)
	4. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
	Hi - I don't post here much, since I'm at work when I access the page, but I lurk ALOT. Anyway, I've tried Neurontin twice. The first time it seemed to work well for a while, then it lost it's effectiveness. I just tried it again this summer, but stopped taking it because I started getting bruises all over my arms and legs. I had my regular 3-months appt with my headache doctor yesterday and he said that it was not unheard of for Neurontin to cause bruising. I also tried Zonegran a few years ago and it seemed to work *really* well, but it also caused me to start bruising. There must be something about that class of drugs that my body just doesn't like. The bad thing is that those were two of the best preventatives that I have ever tried. Right now I'm taking Wellbutrin as my only preventative. I've tried a bunch of different ones and right now, I'm just having preventative burn-out. Wellbutrin doesn't have any side effects for me, so I'll stay on that for a while. I'm just taking one day at a time and treating my headaches as they come up. Jeri
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NikaB	Aug-19-03, 02:07 PM (CMT)
5. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
Dear Kim, I have been now on Neurontin for almost two years and aftre suffering with daily headaches I have at last been able to get some relief. The joy was incredible, I could not believe it. The headaches have not cleared completely, but just as my Neurologist said I did get about 60/70% reduction in frequency and severity of my M. And I did not gain weight - however I do fell tired and sleepy a lot and spaced out and I do get occasional bruises. BUt I could not go back to daily pain - once you get some relief it is muc harder to go back to the hell of daily headaches. ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT: Neurontin must be introduced very gradually. I stared with 300mg daily for a week, then 600mg and I found a most effective dose for me at 2400mg. SECOND POINT: Neurontin might not kick in for few weeks so do not get discouraged if you do not get instant results. THIRD POINT: Neurontin MUST NEVER be stopped suddenly but decreases gradually if you decide to stop, otherwise there is a danger of epileptic fits. Good luck, Kim, I do hope you get good relief - Neurontin works well, for many people, but rememeber that it might not work if you are taking ANY PAINKILLRES on regular basis. I stopped all painkillers before I staretd on Neurontin but I do not need them any more - when I need anything I take Imitrex which aborts any occasional M. NikaB
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	hpilgrim	Aug-19-03, 03:47 PM (CMT)
	6. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
	Hi Kim- I took Neurontin for about 18 months, it was wonderful stuff for many months. Gradually though, it lost its effectiveness. I got up to 2400mgs. but I couldn't tolerate that dose, so I had to taper off it. Now for the down side, I gained about 20 lbs. When I stopped it, 10 lbs came off quickly but the other 10 have been very stubborn. But I am older(52); your experience may be totally different. It is harder to get those pounds back off, the older one is. Also I can't exercise much because of my back. I felt a little dizzy, not too bad. And if I turned fast, I wanted to spin around like a figure skater! So 'move slowly' !! Watch your BP and triglycerides, mine shot up, and I had to take two more meds to counteract that side-effect. But the months of relief were worth it.... I have been thinking about trying it again, especially after the horrible night with the M monster that I had last night. Good luck with it - keep us posted love, Holly
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Elise	Aug-19-03, 05:30 PM (CMT)
7. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
Kim, I don't have any experience with Neurontin - I just wanted to say I'm glad you found something that helps. E
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	Emily	Aug-19-03, 06:14 PM (CMT)
	8. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
	Kim, You know how I feel about that stuff. But as I've said before it has helped other people. I REALLY hope it will help and not hurt you. You and Tayor deserve to have some pain-free time together. EM
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antonella	Aug-20-03, 02:33 AM (CMT)
9. "RE: An Ounce of Prevention"
Ciao Kim, I don't know Neurontin, but I only wanted to say hello and wish you good luck with this preventative. I hope it works wonders for you as you deserve some pain free time for youreself and your little baby Ciao Antonella
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