Hey there,
I used neurontin or the generic equivalent right after my amputation. I found out how effective it was when I inadvertently ran out of them. YIKES! I wasn't sure they were doing anything but they were really doing a great job suppressing the electric shock sensations. Later, after getting fitted for my leg the doc put me on Lyrica. I tried it for a while but at that point I didn't really need it and didn't have any problems after quitting either. That's just my recollection.

I have rarely suffered from phantom limb except during first year when such drugs were not available. Occasionally, however, I get a few days of 'shock therapy' as I call it and I find neurontin good

I use Gabapentin which is the generic for Neurontin and it works real well. I have not used any other medication for nerve pain, so have limited knowledge. This works great for me and would highly recommend it.

When I first had my amputation I was on neurontin and I remember having quite a few problems with it. It made me a little crazy and I had to get off of it. There wasn't really a medicine that helped much with the phantom pain. The best thing I remember for me was desensitizing it.

I was on Neurontin/Gabapentin for the first couple of years after my amputation but was switched to Lyrica after the Neurontin started losing its effectiveness even at its highest dose. I've been on Lyrica for a few years now and find that it really does help with PP. I hope you're one of the lucky ones for whom phantom pain actually disappears shortly after amputation. Good luck!

P,S, I take 150 mg. of Lyrica 3 times a day.

I use lyrica for a month but the side effects scared the snot out of me.I was BETTER FOR ME to just deal with the phantom pain that slowly disappeared

I guess I'm lucky. If I'm not allergic to drugs, I almost never have any side effects. If I am allergic, the side effects are horrendous, including fainting/passing out cold. Definitely no fun...

An amputee friend of mine uses Cymbalta for phantom pain. Although it's an anti-depressant it's also been successfully used for PP, sometimes with Vicodin but most often on its own.

I used both and I like Lyrica a bit better than Neurontin. The docs tell me that it is the more refined version of the same medicine. And just like RoadStarRick, you'll know just how much it helps if you ever run out or stop using it.

I had very persistent phantom pain for quite a while after my amputation and the medicine helps but what I suggest you look into is Mirror Therapy. If you google it you'll find a lot of articles on it. Basically, place a long mirror between your legs with the mirror side showing you good leg and just watch it for 30 minutes a day, five or more times a week. Your brain will start accept the fact that you're missing a leg. It fixed my phantom pain.

You might also try Alpha-lipoic acid. It's an antioxidant that has helped me. Also, make sure you drink at least four big glasses of water every day. Keeping your fluids up is essential.

--Tim

Where were my docs offering any drugs for me? I got nothing!!! I lost my leg a year ago and should have signed up on this board then and received some advice from you folks. . So I have been dealing with this stuff all this time with no relief??? YIKES!
Good luck Panhines... one way or another it will all be okay. Believe that.
I met a 10 yr amputee and he says it (phantom) subsides the more you walk and get back to a "normal" life. The brain is an incredible thing and you can trick it sometimes by sleeping with your prosthetic if the pain is too troublesome. It works for me sometime.
You've got nothing to lose. I wish you the best.

I am new to the amputee world, but after my accident last year, I was prescribed Neurontin for the severe nerve damage suffered in the accident. I took myself off of it after about 2 months. Some of the side effects were horrible, especially the MASSIVE weight gain. I'm on nothing right now, except some oxy, since my surgery was just last Friday. My advice is to read all the side effects and judge for yourself.