[Yogi]

I just got back from another consult with Dr.s. I am now on T-3's as required. Amoxicillan for infection & now they added 1200 MG of Gabapentin/day for 1 week. Then up to 1500MG/day. May require dosage to be increased over time. I was told to expect to be on this for life! To which I queried 'Medical Marijuana'. The Dr. I spoke with today admitted that she knew very little about it and suggested that I research the possibility. So I am looking for your experiences with weed use as an alternative to traditional 'chemical drugs'.
In another life, I did toke a few times. Never really cared for the effects. Dizziness. A feeling of not being 'in control'. Alcohol was my drug of choice for years. Finally gave that up and all I ever needed was a couple of aspirin for a headache or some sume minor ailment. Sure, for various ailments or injuries over the years I have been perscribed some pretty powerful drugs, but that was only on a temporary basis. This go-round appears to be on a much more permanent basis.
This is what I found so far on Gabapentin. There sure is a lot of possible side effects! Some, admittedly I think I have been experiencing without taking this drug. Some, I have been accused of experiencing! Having taken one cap about 1 hr ago, I am already feeling woozy, and having probs concentrating. To my benefit, a definite reduction in pain. I sure as hell am not looking forward to a lifetime of this!

Home → Conditions → Pain → Gabapentin → Side Effects Print Share Gabapentin Side Effects
Overview
Side Effects
Dosage
Interactions
For Professionals
More...
Some side effects of gabapentin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer
Applies to gabapentin: oral capsule, oral solution, oral suspension, oral tablet

Along with its needed effects, gabapentin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking gabapentin:

More common
•Clumsiness or unsteadiness
•continuous, uncontrolled, back-and-forth, or rolling eye movements
More common in children
•Aggressive behavior or other behavior problems
•anxiety
•concentration problems and change in school performance
•crying
•depression
•false sense of well-being
•hyperactivity or increase in body movements
•rapidly changing moods
•reacting too quickly, too emotional, or overreacting
•restlessness
•suspiciousness or distrust
Less common
•Black, tarry stools
•chest pain
•chills
•cough
•depression, irritability, or other mood or mental changes
•fever
•loss of memory
•pain or swelling in the arms or legs
•painful or difficult urination
•shortness of breath
•sore throat
•sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
•swollen glands
•unusual bleeding or bruising
•unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
•Abdominal or stomach pain
•blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
•clay-colored stools
•coma
•confusion
•convulsions
•dark urine
•decreased urine output
•diarrhea
•dizziness
•fast or irregular heartbeat
•headache
•increased thirst
•itching
•joint pain
•large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
•loss of appetite
•muscle ache or pain
•nausea
•red skin lesions, often with a purple center
•red, irritated eyes
•skin rash
•unpleasant breath odor
•vomiting of blood
•yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects of gabapentin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common
•Blurred vision
•cold or flu-like symptoms
•delusions
•dementia
•hoarseness
•lack or loss of strength
•lower back or side pain
•swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs
•trembling or shaking
Less common or rare
•Accidental injury
•appetite increased
•back pain
•bloated or full feeling
•body aches or pain
•burning, dry, or itching eyes
•change in vision
•change in walking and balance
•clumsiness or unsteadiness
•congestion
•constipation
•cough producing mucus
•decrease in sexual desire or ability
•dementia
•difficulty with breathing
•dryness of the mouth or throat
•earache
•excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
•excessive tearing
•eye discharge
•feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
•feeling of warmth or heat
•flushed, dry skin
•flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
•frequent urination
•fruit-like breath odor
•impaired vision
•incoordination
•increased hunger
•increased sensitivity to pain
•increased sensitivity to touch
•increased thirst
•indigestion
•low blood pressure
•nervousness
•noise in the ears
•pain, redness, rash, swelling, or bleeding where the skin is rubbed off
•passing gas
•redness or swelling in the ear
•redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
•runny nose
•sneezing
•sweating
•tender, swollen glands in the neck
•tightness in the chest
•tingling in the hands and feet
•troubled breathing
•trouble with sleeping
•trouble with swallowing
•trouble with thinking
•twitching
•unexplained weight loss
•voice changes
•vomiting
•weakness or loss of strength
•weight gain
•wheezing

[ShepherdsDog]

Gabapentin was wose than useless for me, and codeine makes you constipated as hell. For me, 30 mg(just one) would shut down production for a week . Try some medical marijuana and see if it works. If so, invest in a vaporizer....and doritos. I believe PA9 uses it as a medication, so pm him

[Yogi]

I'll do that^. Thanks, Shep.

[Regina]

Gabapentin is for nerve type pain and is not a narcotic. Was originally developed to control epileptic seizures which it did not work for. In the past 10 years or so it has seen an increased use for spinal/nerve pain as that relates to other illnesses. There are side effects with most drugs but you never know what they will be until they are used. Try it for a period of time and if it doesn't work or makes you feel worse stop taking it. Works for most but everyone is different.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Yogi Yogi:

I'll do that^. Thanks, Shep.

Actually, I'm also taking Gabapentin for nerve pain in my leg because marijuana just doesn't seem to work for that kind of pain. I'm not big on pharmaceuticals and the potential side-effects of Gabapentin aren't exactly pleasant, but the nerve sensitivity and pain were preventing me from sleeping or wearing pants as just the slight movement of the material on my leg would send the nerves into a tizzy. I still get nerve pain in my leg but the frequency and severity have been greatly reduced.

In your case Yogi, I'm afraid that Gabapentin is probably a better choice than weed.

[ShepherdsDog]

I use lyrica(Pregabalin) for neuropathic pain.....it works great for me. For some reason, as I`ve already mentioned, Gabapentin didn`t do anything at all for me. One thing about Lyrica is that it sometimes causes edema in your lower legs and feet.

[Yogi]

Just went across the street for lunch with 'Mom&Pop'. Of course they are concerned and wanted to know what the latest from the Dr.s. Said to Mom, (89yrs) If I go with the weed, I'll have to find out where to buy it"."
" Why would you buy it? I'll just grow it in my green house"!

Thanks Animal, I'll give the gaba a chance and see how it works out. I know it takes a couple weeks to get into the system, but having taken just the first one, I'm stoned! My point for considering weed is of course the long term effects of either.

[DrCaleb]

Yogi Yogi:

" Why would you buy it? I'll just grow it in my green house"!

Sounds like my Mom too.

[Regina]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

I use lyrica(Pregabalin) for neuropathic pain.....it works great for me. For some reason, as I`ve already mentioned, Gabapentin didn`t do anything at all for me. One thing about Lyrica is that it sometimes causes edema in your lower legs and feet.

I've heard good about Pregaba too.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Yogi Yogi:

Just went across the street for lunch with 'Mom&Pop'. Of course they are concerned and wanted to know what the latest from the Dr.s. Said to Mom, (89yrs) If I go with the weed, I'll have to find out where to buy it"."
" Why would you buy it? I'll just grow it in my green house"!

Thanks Animal, I'll give the gaba a chance and see how it works out. I know it takes a couple weeks to get into the system, but having taken just the first one, I'm stoned! My point for considering weed is of course the long term effects of either.

Yeah, the first few days they can make you kind'a drowsy and dizzy.

I understand your desire to reduce the long term effects of any medication. That's the one thing that worries me is, will I be on this shit for long term?

As for the long term effects of weed, well, when I went to the doctor because of my leg I got a full work up as well. After smoking weed for over 30 years, 22 of them medicinally, aside from the health problems associated with the injuries from the accident I'm in pretty decent shape for a 47 year old with a spine that suffered multiple factures.

I would at least consider trying medi-weed. What works or doesn't work for me doesn't mean it will/won't work for you. I'm only taking Gabapentin as a last resort.
But if medi-weed did work for me for this specific kind of pain, I'd sure prefer to take something natural rather than man-made shit with a not too cheery list of side-effects.

[andyt]

It's about more than just growing some pot and toking up. There is serious research going on, with real money invested, about different strains of pot with different ratios of THC and cannabidiol to see what works for what. Cannabidiol does not make you high, so if that works for your pain you might be better off. I know you live in the sticks, but a trip to Vancouver to visit a pot dispensary might be a good idea. These are serious people who will discuss with you what might work best. If you can afford it, you could go the legal route (as of April 1st) and have one of the new big producers mail your stuff to you, if it works. If you want to grow your own, at least try to get seeds from a strain that will do more for you than finding Gilligans Island reruns hilarious while munching those Doritos.

Also, it doesn't hurt to investigate alternatives. Acupuncture, meditation etc. It's exactly with difficult to treat pain they can often be very helpful. I know I would try about anything to not have to be on a drug for life that has serious side effects. That includes being on pot for life.

$1:

This article reviews recent research on cannabinoid analgesia via the endocannabinoid system and non-receptor mechanisms, as well as randomized clinical trials employing cannabinoids in pain treatment. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol®) and nabilone (Cesamet®) are currently approved in the United States and other countries, but not for pain indications. Other synthetic cannabinoids, such as ajulemic acid, are in development. Crude herbal cannabis remains illegal in most jurisdictions but is also under investigation. Sativex®, a cannabis derived oromucosal spray containing equal proportions of THC (partial CB1 receptor agonist ) and cannabidiol (CBD, a non-euphoriant, anti-inflammatory analgesic with CB1 receptor antagonist and endocannabinoid modulating effects) was approved in Canada in 2005 for treatment of central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis, and in 2007 for intractable cancer pain. Numerous randomized clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy for Sativex in central and peripheral neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer pain. An Investigational New Drug application to conduct advanced clinical trials for cancer pain was approved by the US FDA in January 2006.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/

[Yogi]

Some good info here ^ andy. Thanks. Without having a medical background, I will confess to not understanding a lot of the talk. I did however find a couple of points which really have me rethinking the use of weed. My understanding is that weed has/could have some very serious negative, even life threatening side effects.

Pulmonary complications of smoked substance abuse.
Tashkin DP.
Author information Department of Medicine, University of California, School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90024.
Abstract
After tobacco, marijuana is the most widely smoked substance in our society. Studies conducted within the past 15 years in animals, isolated tissues, and humans indicate that marijuana smoke can injure the lungs. Habitual smoking of marijuana has been shown to be associated with chronic respiratory tract symptoms, an increased frequency of acute bronchitic episodes, extensive tracheobronchial epithelial disease, and abnormalities in the structure and function of alveolar macrophages, key cells in the lungs' immune defense system. In addition, the available evidence strongly suggests that regularly smoking marijuana may predispose to the development of cancer of the respiratory tract. "Crack" smoking has become increasingly prevalent in our society, especially among habitual smokers of marijuana. New evidence is emerging implicating smoked cocaine as a cause of acute respiratory tract symptoms, lung dysfunction, and, in some cases, serious, life-threatening acute lung injury. A strong physician message to users of marijuana, cocaine, or both concerning the harmful effects of these smoked substances on the lungs and other organs may persuade some of them, especially those with drug-related respiratory complications, to quit smoking.
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[andyt]

You don't need to smoke it. The abstract I posted talked about an oral spray. Curt uses a vaporiser. Some people use oils in baked goods or what have you. I know I wouldn't want to suck smoke deep into my lungs every day for the rest of my life, but there are alternatives to smoking. And I wouldn't just use any pot, as I said, but stuff that's been specifically grown for what I needed. I have not idea how to find that, but I know it's out there. You might want to do some searching about the Vancouver area and medical marijuana research - it's been in the paper off and on.

But, my first choice would be to look at alternative treatments. The most you can waste is some time. But they don't have side effects, except for beneficial ones. The one I know most about is mindfulness, you could research mindfulness and pain management or Jon Kabat-Zin. Pain is in your mind (where else could it be?). If you work with your mind, maybe it's possible to change that experience of pain.

Also, I think acupuncture can help some people, maybe other TCM treatments as well.

[Yogi]

Time to get my med problem off the fuck thread and keep it over here where it belongs. It's been an interesting week. So far I have been turned down by 6 clinics across Canada which are supposed to specialize in my particular problem. Apparently they feel it's too risky and don't want to get involved. I guess I can't really blame them, but it doesn't do me much good! Not all is lost. I (we) am waiting to hear back from a hospital in Montreal, as well my original surgeon is making a referal to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. Apparently he worked at that clinic for a couple of years and still has contacts there.
My consult on Friday determined that the mesh is now comming apart and actually pushing strands out thru my abdomen. At first I thought they were ingrown hairs. Pulling them out felt just like pushing a straight pin all the way in. Depending upon haow I move, I can feel them polking their way thru. That gets my complete & undivided attention!
On the good side, I was told that a bit more activity won't cause any further damage. Got the go-ahead to try riding. "just be extremely careful, particularly with the left side".

[martin14]

Yogi Yogi:

t the mesh is now comming apart and actually pushing strands out thru my abdomen. At first I thought they were ingrown hairs. Pulling them out felt just like pushing a straight pin all the way in.

That's a helluva way to get the mesh out Yogi !


DIY job, there's gotta be a TV show in there somewhere.


I just hope you find a solution.