My MD wants to switch me from Neurontin to Gralise. I’ve had bad reactions to every other drug but can tolerate Neurontin, it is becoming much less effective at the dose I take and I hate the mental fog, etc. The Doc beleives that by changing to Gralise he can increase my dosage without increasing negative side effects. I’m concerned about trying Gralise and dealing with another round of miserable side effects…has anyone had experience with it that you could share?
The only thing I have ever taken is tegretol, but I am at 1200mg a day now and am starting to have a few breakthroughs, so when I see the neurosurgeon on the 16th, I am hoping he can get me on a combo of meds that don't have me so tired. Or maybe he can give me something to counteract the tiredness. I just looked up Gralise and it is another name for Gabapentin.
Yes, but it is a new form of Neurontin that has apparently been reformulated to eliminate many of the side effects of the old form of Neurontin that I’ve taken for nearly 14 years. It was becoming less effective against my pain and causing more intolerable side effects…I particularly always have hated the “dumb headed” feeling from it. I can’t take tegretol or any of the couple dozen other drugs they’ve tried me on over the years. I started Gralise a few nights ago (it’s a one time a day time release med) and so far so good. I’m not anywhere near the intended dose yet, so still having pain issues, but I’m loving the clear headed and more energetic way I’m feeling. I’m very encouraged!!!
Maybe I can try that one then! I hate the "dumb headed" feeling too! And I am soooooooooooo tired all the time! Coffee is my best friend now and that doesn't even help all the time. Good luck! Keep me posted on how it does for you!
ML said:
Yes, but it is a new form of Neurontin that has apparently been reformulated to eliminate many of the side effects of the old form of Neurontin that I've taken for nearly 14 years. It was becoming less effective against my pain and causing more intolerable side effects...I particularly always have hated the "dumb headed" feeling from it. I can't take tegretol or any of the couple dozen other drugs they've tried me on over the years. I started Gralise a few nights ago (it's a one time a day time release med) and so far so good. I'm not anywhere near the intended dose yet, so still having pain issues, but I'm loving the clear headed and more energetic way I'm feeling. I'm very encouraged!!!
Update on my trial with GRALISE: I have my energy back and my mental fog is gone, along with significant facial swelling, so I’m a big fan!!! I’ve only been on it for 2 weeks now and there are dosage and timing issues that still need to be worked out. I’m seeming to need a much higher dose of GRALISE but that’s ok with me because I’m having none of the side effects I’ve always had with old Neurontin. Gralise is supposedly a 24 hour time release…it only lasts 18 to 20 hours at most for me. I’m supplementing with a half dose at 12 hours to cover the gap and that seems to work. Pain coverage at this point is a bit inconstant with more periods of breakthrough pain. I’m hoping that’s because I’m still working up to my optimal dosage. What I’m sure of is that I’ll never go back to the old mind numbing stuff even if I have to deal with more pain…it’s just so fabulous to be able to think clearly again!!!
That is awesome news! Maybe I will get lucky and my neuro will try this for me when I go on the 4th. :-)
Hi, I've been on gabapentin for about 18 months now and am so tired of being tired and mentally slow. I'm trying to wean myself off it It doesn't really do much for the pain, only takes the edge off. I will ask my dr about Gralise when I see her next week. Would love to have some pain relief AND be able to think straight! I only hope it's available in Australia.