Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
It is too quiet today. I am too tired. I can't pack anymore today - though with all the help we got a lot done. I tried to sleep, but that is not happening.
So this is my 5th day on gabapentine (no clue if I spelled that right). The first night I took it was GREAT and I slept for almost 10 hours. It was wonderful...
The second night I took my 300mg and caught maybe three hours of sleep in snippets through the night. Sigh, back to my usual of not being able to sleep. My pain that next day was up again also.
the third night on 300mg I got about six hours of sleep, with some seriously lucid dreams. I was able to snatch a 3 hour nap so that helped. Getting sleep at all is sort of a hit and miss. Sometimes I sleep, sometimes not. This is both naps and at night.
Yesterday was my first day taking a morning dose also... and a couple hours later on the way out to the stable, I learned that gabapentine and hydrocodone don't mix well in my system. I have had the same reactions today... ug. I don't know if it will pass as my system gets used to the new meds or hang around for as long as I am taking both...
But my symptoms go something like this and happen only within a few hours of having taken the gaba. Needless to say today I put it off as long as possible.
About 20 minutes after I take a hydrocodone (5/325), I start to feel cold. My vision flattens out, leaving me with zero depth perception. Then my balance starts to spin, and finally I get full body tremors for up to an hour.
Yesterday I had this while out riding - and luckily my horse just compensated for my lack of balance. (I have a great horse). Today it happened at home and I told hubby about it. He had me take one of my anti-panic tranquilizers (clozapam, 2mg) and got me a bottle of frappacino (Starbucks), wrapped me in a blanket, and toasted me a bagel so I would have some food on my stomach. All of this helped a lot - but it still took about an hour to go away.
Any thoughts? I see the doctor again in a week and a half, or I am supposed to. I have not heard if they made me an apt yet. Tomorrow is my last day on two doses and after that I move up to three for a total of 900mg a day. Any one have similar issues changing over meds?
yadlim and critters
So this is my 5th day on gabapentine (no clue if I spelled that right). The first night I took it was GREAT and I slept for almost 10 hours. It was wonderful...
The second night I took my 300mg and caught maybe three hours of sleep in snippets through the night. Sigh, back to my usual of not being able to sleep. My pain that next day was up again also.
the third night on 300mg I got about six hours of sleep, with some seriously lucid dreams. I was able to snatch a 3 hour nap so that helped. Getting sleep at all is sort of a hit and miss. Sometimes I sleep, sometimes not. This is both naps and at night.
Yesterday was my first day taking a morning dose also... and a couple hours later on the way out to the stable, I learned that gabapentine and hydrocodone don't mix well in my system. I have had the same reactions today... ug. I don't know if it will pass as my system gets used to the new meds or hang around for as long as I am taking both...
But my symptoms go something like this and happen only within a few hours of having taken the gaba. Needless to say today I put it off as long as possible.
About 20 minutes after I take a hydrocodone (5/325), I start to feel cold. My vision flattens out, leaving me with zero depth perception. Then my balance starts to spin, and finally I get full body tremors for up to an hour.
Yesterday I had this while out riding - and luckily my horse just compensated for my lack of balance. (I have a great horse). Today it happened at home and I told hubby about it. He had me take one of my anti-panic tranquilizers (clozapam, 2mg) and got me a bottle of frappacino (Starbucks), wrapped me in a blanket, and toasted me a bagel so I would have some food on my stomach. All of this helped a lot - but it still took about an hour to go away.
Any thoughts? I see the doctor again in a week and a half, or I am supposed to. I have not heard if they made me an apt yet. Tomorrow is my last day on two doses and after that I move up to three for a total of 900mg a day. Any one have similar issues changing over meds?
yadlim and critters
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I invited Bill to have dinner with me last Sunday. He wasn't willing to drive 7 hours to mid Michigan and teased me with his beautiful ribs!!! So, of course I ate alone and had cedar salmon
Kat
I will actually just hold on the vicoden until we talk to her. I can cope with just the gaba and non-drug measures until then.
Again, thank you!!!
yadlim
I did go to Drugs.com & entered your meds in the interaction feature here's what it said:
Using HYDROcodone together with gabapentin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience some impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
I hope this helps. I know with the gabapentin it can cause dizziness the first few days of taking. I don't recall why your Dr put you on this med, but if it was for sleep there are many better alternatives. My mind never seems to shut off, that & I'm a chronic insomniac I take Rozerem it keeps my mind from running at warp speed lol. It takes an hour to kick in & when you wake your not left with that groggy feeling. Keeping you in my prayers. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.
Hugs & God Bless
Lisa
yadlim - who totally understands not remembering what is wrong with everyone!!! I should have put it in my original post.
I also take an ER & IR opiate along with a strong muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory. But taking any of them within the same timeframe as the gaba never gave me any adverse reaction.
I know that I react very strongly to all side effects any med does, even the rare ones.
First I have to let everyone know that for safety's sake, I don't drive. I won't drive with opiates in my system and before I started taking the gaba I was taking opiates constantly throughout the day. In the last six months I have only had to drive once, to pick up hubby at the airport, and I prepared for it for three days.
I have had body tremors on and off for about six months now.
this morning, I have been taking it easy and have not taken the vicoden, but I can already feel my hands shaking, my vision flattening out... and my head getting light. So I think it is safe to say it is the gaba, not the combination.
The pain relief I have been getting has been fantastic - I have not felt my knees hurting over the pain in my back for years. I will take knee pain over debilitating back pain any day.
It is still well over an hour before I can call my doctor.
It is hard to see if this is going to work out or not at this point... but I have hope for the first time in a long time.
yadlim
Hubby rubbed out my back and that stopped the shaking for several minutes. He brought me coffee so I would not have any caffeine withdrawal. Most importantly he talked to me about it. He is my safety blanket and just the sound of his voice helped me calm. I took my anti-panic about 20 minutes ago, so it is starting to take effect and the symptoms are starting to subside.
How much of this is me being nervous about the 1) lack of pain and 2) change?
yadlim