I saw my RA doc. today and he diagnosed me with OA and possible fibromylagia. I had been given neurontin for my chronic low back pain from my fam. doc, but only took it when my back hurt really bad. When I told this to the RA doctor, he was surprised--he said, Why aren't you taking it regularly? It is a great pain reliever, nonaddictive and one of the best choices for OA.
So now, I'm going to take it like it says on the label-one twice a day and see if I get relief from the other pain--hands/elbows/shoulders/hips--uh! He also explained that people with OA can also have "flare ups" where everything hurts, not just people with RA. I hope this information helps some other newbies like me. Trying to find a good doctor is hard and so is getting diagnosed.
I'm also getting more blood tests and a bone density test to see how well my 42 year old bones compare to a 20 year old's (I've already had a stress fracture in my spine when I went through my--"I'm going to jog and look so tanned and sexy in the summer" phase two years ago. Turning forty is hard, but having your body betray you is harder. I don't want to become the bent over short woman that my 71 year old mother is--but it sure looks like thats where this 5'9 body is headed! Being able to vent all this really helps. I'm glad I've found you guys.
Hi Gracie: I've been on Neurontin for about 6 years. I was prescribed Neur. for nerve damage due to a blown disk in my lumbar region. I had disk surgery but was still left with neuropathy and sciatica. Neur. has helped with the aching and pain from the sciatica. Hope it works for you. I had some side effects the first couple of weeks and then the dizziness and head buzziesGOOD LUCK HOPE IT WORKS
Thanks for mentioning this drug. This is one that may be good for some of us and it is certainly worth looking into!