Neurontin and lbs

Since starting on Neurontin for headaches, a little over a year ago, I've been diagnosed with: IBS, Colitis and High Blood Pressure. I have also had swelling and pain in my ankles and legs and constant debilatating abdominal pain and bloating. I tend to go from constipation directly to diarreha. I never had trouble with my blood pressure (other than with my first pregnancy) until I started taking this medication. It always ran about 115-120/75-80. I've started looking at info. on the web regarding Neurontin. I've learned a lot. It has many more side effects and medical causes than I was first informed about. The makers are also being sued for having their Reps. lie about it's uses and "cures". I've also read that it has terrible side effects when trying to stop. It has helped my headaches, but I feel I've paid a price for them to stop. I think that my headaches were not as bad as the abnominal pain that I'm experiencing. I'm going to see my Dr. and find ou how to stop taking it.

I have taken neurontin in the past after being diagnosed as bipolar. It caused my depression to worsen and I became suicidal I also gained 100 pounds. For those being treated for irritable bowel syndrome and or depression a wheat allergy can cause both symptoms. I stopped eating all wheat products and no longer have IBS or depression. Also of interest for people with joint and muscle pain, there is a chemical in white potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers, and eggplant that can make pain worse.

Hi,

I just started Neurontin about a few weeks ago I started at 300mgs a day now just 3 weeks later I am on 1200mgs per day and upping it to 1500mgs tommorow. I am told to up the dose 300mgs every 3 days. If I don't its like I'm just taking candy and nothing happens. It works for a day then it stops.

I am concerned though after reading all this stuff that maybe this isn't the drug for me so far its helping but I'm worried I don't want permanenet Kidney damage and I have just started w/ a small tension headache but it could be stress at work doing that and not the med. I'm taking this for IBS pain/Anxiety my shrink gave it to me said, its not approved by the FDA for anything but seizures. God I hope I don't get blood clots and have a stroke all this info is scaring me reading this stuff you all wrote.

I think I better get off this stuff.

Hi Viv,

Wow you take 1800mgs 3 times per day. Well I heard the top dose it 5000mgs per day from my shrink. Right now I'm on 2400mgs starting today. So far it seems to be just starting to help w/ the IBS. I only found the dizzyiness and the high as a kite feeling just after increasing my dose but nothing extreme. Maybe he put you up to fast. I started out on 300mgs per day and then upped it only 300mgs every 3 days. Maybe your doc jacked you up to fast to the maxium. My doctor says its a safe medication so I am going to give it my best shot and hope it helps with my IBS it seems to be just starting to slow my mind a little so maybe that will help my gut and I can find better ways to deal w/ my damn stress and learn to relax I have tried every herbal remedy out there and to no avail nothing worked. I'm really rooting for this Neurontin because its costing me my full copay there is no GENERIC for this drug which is very dissapointing if it does work its going to cost me some money to continue to take it. Maybe my doc will write the script for more than one month otherwise I don't think I will be able to keep taking it its very expensive I don't know what people do without insurance to afford their drugs. Anyway hang in there and ask your doctor about going up slow on the drug maybe you did already I don't know. I don't find the side effects to be that bad.

Neurontin for IBS:
If "IBS" means "irritable Bowel Syndrome" I have some personal experiences to pass on --
I was already a userid of Neurontin for fibromyalgia -- a condition in which the muscles of the body ache like having the flu all the time -- and the Neurontin wasn't helping a bit with the gut-wrenching cramps and diarrea of IBS.
My doctor prescribed Lomotil --which I DO get in a generic called Lonox -- and only one pill at a time stops the IBS problems, even though at first I was up to 4 at a time (the instructions say to take one pill after every instance of cramps and loose bowels.)
Why don't you ask your doc about this, instead of upping the dose of Neurontin (which hasn't helped my IBS at all). Best wishes -- JanK