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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
        
(Message started by: jeffhall on Sep 24^th, 2004, 2:54pm)

Title: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by jeffhall on Sep 24^th, 2004, 2:54pm

I had the Gamma-Knife procedure in December of last year. Gamma-Knife has has mixed results for those that tried it but I was desperate at the time. Though it posed little risk, the Dr. said it had basically a 50/50 chance of success and the result may take up to 6 months to be fully realized.

My results were different. I noticed considerable improvement after about 3 weeks. Within 2 months I thought I was cured.

Slowly, however, my chronic symptons returned but the duration of attacks (previously 45-60min) decreased to about 20 minutes each.

I believe it helped me, but did not cure me.

I am now on Neurontin with an extremely high dose of 4800mb/day (2 800mb pills three times a day). It is expensive, and I suffer the memory loss side effects greatly.

BUT, I am relatively pain free. I am down to about 3 serious attacks a week (previously as many as 30). I also take Cafergot as needed and Excedrin Migrain.

I know the risks of such meds, but the combination has allowed me to actually do the unthinkable...I now have a job! Whoo-Hoo.

Just thought I'd share...

Title: Re: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by nani on Sep 24^th, 2004, 6:23pm

Wow that's a lot of Neurontin! I've just been increased to 600mg 3X/day. It's helping - but I noticed that I forgot 2 things that I normally would not have forgotten. :( Is this a common side effect?

Title: Re: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by stuflash on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 12:05am

It's been a few years since my last cluster :D, but I was on neurontin at, I think, about 3000 mg/day. It helped me a lot. Brought my headaches from about 4-6 day & night to 1/night, and I was able to get rid of that with a DHE injection at bedtime. The one side effect that I can recall from back then was a very noticeable hand tremor -- my handwriting became almost illegible. Luckily, I mostly type anyhow. I don't recall any significant loss of memory (no play on words intended).

Title: Re: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by nani on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 1:31am

Thanks stu - the increase has helped get to manageable pain levels. I'm still forgetting stuff though. At least I think I am...

Title: Re: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by don on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 11:07am

Quote:

Cafergot as needed and Excedrin Migrain

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Title: Re: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by nani on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 11:29am

Quote:

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actually Don - the Excedrin Migraine can work for me now also. I don't know if it's because of the Neurontin- but during the kip 6 and less - it can stop the pain most of the time. This has just happened since the doc upped my Neurontin.

Title: Re: After Gamma-Knife / Neurontin
Post by jeffhall on Oct 27^th, 2004, 12:11am

Thanks for all of the kind comments on this thread. I am still in the same situation. The Beast visits me still,..but on a much less frequent occassion.

Jeff Hall
hodakitas.org

"Saving the world one dog at a time"