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Gabapentin withdrawls while preparing for neurology tests
I was originally diagnosed in July with lumbosacral plexopathy. The easy way to esplain it is I had extreme weakness and numbness in my quads and a ton of pain. I could barely walk and could not stand up from sitting unless I was sitting on something high. I lost my balance several times and couldn't get off the floor without people lifting me up. I have since gained some stength back, At the beginning of September, the pain and numbness started extending all the way to my toes and into my hands. So then my neurologist said he had no idea how to diagnose me and I haven't heard from him since. I am on 300 mg of gabapentin 3x a day and then 600 at bedtime. That has brought my pain level down to about a 2 most days, but I do have a lot more pain and numbness at night. Anyway, I have a second opinion appointment at Mayo in 10 days (yay!) and they have me scheduled for several tests, including a quantitative sensory test and an autonomic reflex screen. I cannot take any pain meds or anything mood alterning for a certain amount of time before the tests. I called Mayo to get more info and they said I have to stop my gabapentin for 48 hours prior to the tests and I can't take tylenol, or my aspirin (for blood thinner) or even my sleeping pill for 48 hours either. I am afraid I am going to be an enormous exhasted pain-ridden wreak for the 2 days I am there (I also have 2 MRIs and and EMG and an appointment with a neurologist). My question is.... will I notice the effects of no gabapentin for 2 days? Does withdrawl happen this quickly? I've read withdrawl can be difficult so I am worried how I am going to manage for 2 days with nothing. Unless it takes longer to feel the withdrawl effects? If anyone has any experience with this, I'd love to know! Thank you!
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I tried Tens for 6 months with my neck pain, the wires and suction cups were a hassle. plus it did not work, the induced spasms was irritating. Then it’s maybe not mentioned because it’s not a drug tells me you think some people are just drug seekers. They are in a sense because they are looking for something that works. It’s frustrating when a doctor tells you this might help in 3 months and it doesn’t.
My comment on drugs is that there aren't any that work for PN, not to mention that all drugs are toxic. The side effects of drugs even when they seem to work are collectively worse for you than what they were prescribed to treat. I try to avoid them if at all possible; with two forms of cancer that haven't been totally possible. With all due respect; you said enough about your TENS experience to inform us that you never learned the correct way to apply it. I also have never seen any TENS device that had suction cups for electrodes.
I understand that Tens are not strong enough with waves to the brain. SCRAMBLER is a treatment that does. I have tried both and finally found relief with the Scrambler. Give it a try, it works!
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1 ReactionI did more research on the scrambler and while it is quite similar to TENS, it is different in that it uses an analog low frequency that targets a different receptor on the neuron as I understood it. TENS utilizes digital pulses, so you are right in that it is worth trying; how many treatments did you have, and have the results been permanent or are you still requiring follow-up treatments to get relief?
5 days a week , 1 hour. So far so good, no followup. Info at Radiant Pain relief Ctrs. 503-379-0790.
I'm in central NC, those two clinics are far from me.