According to internal company memos unsealed in a whistle-blower case, top executives at Warner-Lambert, a drug company that has since been acquired by Pfizer, approved a detailed plan to market Neurontin, an epilepsy medicine, for unapproved uses. At issue in the case is tens of millions of dollars that taxpayers paid for Neurontin when doctors prescribe it for Medicaid patients for unapproved uses.
The memos, dated in 1995 and 1996, say that Warner-Lambert executives agreed that the company should not conduct the large clinical trials need to gain the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the use of Neurontin for migraines, social phobia and other conditions. Instead, the company planned to promote Neurontin for those unapproved uses by performing small studies and having the results published in medical journals, according to the memos.
The whistle-blower who filed the original suit, Dr. David P. Franklin, worked for Warner-Lambert in 1996.
(via New York Times)
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i tried to kill myself. Im on nuerotin for nueprhopathy. Is there any representing lawyers for this?
Please email me with legal info about this case…Lawyer`s name and number etc. Thanks, Cherie Boston January 28,2004
I am 34 yr old single mom raising 4 children. I was diagnosed with MS. was given neurontin…within 3 weeks i tried to kill myself twice..did mutilate my body and suffered from depression so bad i would cry for 10-15 hours a day..and this was on a very low dose of 200 mg a day…after 3 weeks..and almost being committed twice someone suggested i call my doc…low and behold after not taking it for less than 24 hours i was already feeling back to normal. I did behaviors that were way out of my character….was traumatized with panic attacks every day. I want any info i can get to be included in the law suit…it nearly killed me and now have PTSD due to the severity of trauma it inflicted on my life. I dont remember much about the last 3 weeks and am now having memory problems as well. I think someone ought to pay for mine and other people’s pain and suffering that was the direct result of false promises. I took Neurontin thinking it was going to improve my quallity of life and what it did was almost kill me.
Hi myself and others have found that Neurontin causes so much mental foggyness and although when used once in awhile to cut the burn down of RSD is not as effective as narcotics. The ability to control how much painkiller or how little and having a doctor who is a partner in your pain management is very important. Most doctors are terrified of pain patients. It seems that many people have to lie to caregivers to surrive as when you tell the truth you are passed on to shrinks, expensive pain clinics, made to repeated medical exams and told that they are willing to prescribe for you, but within two or three visits your out of their practice. Most doctors are unwilling to step up to the plate and let patients practice what the Intractable Pain Laws of many states preach. That is being allowed to not have to choose surgery or alternative treatments instead of narcotics and if they are unwilling to prescribe the patient is to be told that their are other doctors who will. I run a support group and it makes me crazy to see the doctors who know their is a need and millions of good souls (one half of one percent of all chronic pain patients who use narcotics abuse them) are left to suffer, just because they are unwilling to practice what they know is good medicine. Its like 911 sometimes you are asked to be a hero and run into a building, not knowing if you will survive. Most doctors are unwilling to be heroic, they won’t even stand up for eachother when one of their own gets in trouble for overprescribing even after they are the same doctors who reffered the patients in the first place. Any comments are welcome. Up in pain
please e-mail me with the name of an lawyer for the case action suit
Thank-you
Thank you Brenda & Annie for reminding me to post my e-mail to the Michael C message posted earlier. Also thanks for the anti-anxiety info…they also put me on Ativan for the anxiety that I never once before experienced in my life!!! I’ll let whatever lawyer that contacts me know about the “nightmare” that caused me..and it wasn’t a bad dream..it was reality!!!
I have been advised to take 1200 mg of neurontin a day for migranes by neurology dr. I am concerned since this is a narcotic and the dosage. I would not want to get addicted of have ill side effects. Once before I was taking 300 mg for sleeping due to severe depression while sons at war. I am a little hestitant. Please help.
I’ve been in the same boat as everyone on this site. I was uterly horrified as I read all the different emails. I was put on 2700mg Neurontin, 2mg Klonopin, and 600mg Darvocet daily for Fibromyligia, Brachial Plexopathy and Neuropathy Chest Pain. Shortly after starting all these meds, I started hallucinating and hearing things and was told it was just a panic attack and my Neurontin was increased from 300mg to 2700mg and Klonopin from 1mg to 2mg daily with Darvocet 300mg to 400mg daily. Shortly afterward I noticed that I was severely depressed and didn’t care about no one and would get angry for no reason at all. I was always agitated and eventually started stabbing and cutting my arms. I went to my doctors and was told that I was just having a reaction to the Klonopin and they took me off and added 2mg of Xanax. After being on this combination, I then started to self mutilate myself again and eventually reached a point in my life that I tried to commit suicide by cutting my wrist and taking 13 Darvocet on February 15, 2004, but I then realized I didn’t want to die and had my wife take me to the hospital. I spent 5 days in the hospital and was then court ordered to involutary stay in a mental hospital for 45 days. I told everyone that it was the medications that I was on that made me do this. They said that there was no way that any medications would cause me to self mutilate myself and try to commit suicide and called me a lyer in court and the judge just court order an additional 45 day involuntary stay. I tried to tell everyone that since I’ve been taken off of all my medications for these past 6 days that I had my mind back and I’m no longer a threat to my self and that my pyschiatrist Dr. Downes told me I had a severe reaction to my meds and he ordered all my meds stopped. He then released me from the mental hospital February 20, 2004. I have been having extreme severe migraines that I just puke my brains out so far. I’m praying that I won’t have any seizures but I do a severe tremors now. I nearly lost my life and my wonderful family whom means everything to me. Now after being release from the mental hospital, my town DHS department of Arkadelphia is trying to say I’m a danger to myself and my children because I attempted suicide and so they want to try and take them if they are in my custody. My wife is sick with seizures right now and she had me take the children to Alma, Arkansas and enroll them and get a place until she could get things under control. I said OK and did this. I enrolled them Thursday the 26th of February 2004 and my sister alowed me to stay with her. I thought everything was fine until Friday the 27th after school while visiting my brother I get a call that the DHS came by my sisters looking for me and my children because they felt I was a danger to them. I called my wife immediately and told her what was happening and she told me that she would immediately find out what’s going on. She was told that they felt that as long as I had my children they were in danger. This is totally ridiculous. I have done everything my doctors asked and even schelduled another appointment with my psy doc but they would not make the appointment until April 22nd. I have tried telling everyone that it was the Neurontin and other medications I was on that cause me to get to the point that I had major depression and attempted suicide but was told I was a lair and that no medication would cause a person to self mutilate themselves and attempt suicide. Where is the world going to? Please if you have any advice or know how to help me in my situation, please email me. Thankyou. I go to my doctors for help for my diseases and all they do is nearly kill me. They should be held accountable for all of this. Everyone on this site are in my prayers and my sincere condolense for your lost loved ones due to this horrendous medication Neurontin. We all need to get together and fight for are rights and put a stop to this drug company continual maketing a drug that is killing people. My email is tquestor@sbcglobal.net please email me if any further information is available. I have already filed with this class action lawsuit.
Thank you so very much for this site! As many have previously stated… I thought I was alone with my terrifying neurontin experience! Just today, I was made aware of the many horrors caused by this drug! I have lived with the belief that I alone, had these effects described above – all the way to suicide attempt. Would you please e-mail the attorney contact information and anything pertaining with the lawsuit. I believe it is mandatory that this info. is broadcast throughout the land as I am sure there are many other persons unaware that they are not alone and must cease the use of this medicine before it is too late!
Thank you again.
Celeste Bergerson
email address: theones@sbcglobal.net
I am appalled at what I have just found out! All this time I thought I was justgoing crazy! I am so mad! I went to the mental health clinic to get help because I hadnt slept for about 10 days. I could not get any sleep because of the pain from Fibromialgia. They had me volunteer to admit myself into the mental health hospital. All I wanted was some help to sleep. They put me on neurontin,trazadone,synthroid,remron,prozac! I found out my thyroid was way out of wack.My life went down hill from then on.I have had depression on and off at times in my life but it turned into a contant state of anger,sadness and more pain! I stayed in my room all the time. I was just existing. Things got so bad my husband left and my sons went wild! I couldnt work anymore or take care of my family. I was hearing voices and always thinking about killing myself. My husband came back and tied to deal with me and my sickness. Then one day I just snapped and in front of my kids i took an overdose of all those pills, a bowl full! I chewed them up so they would work faster!My kids tring to stop me, but all I wanted to do is die. I thank God he saved my life! I have had many health problems since then and trying to deal with the guilt of doing that in front of my sons! Now to find out it was that drug that was supposed to help me! It destoyed my life for 4 yrs!! I Had to stop taking it because I lost my health insurance and couldnt pay for it..A blessing in disquise! I am better now but still have alot of problems do to with all of this,also my whole family! God Bless you all and you are in my prayers. Please help us! Add us to the list please!
Thank God for this site!
My father was been take neurotin for several years. I would really be interested if a lawsuit is started concerning this medication.
I have doubts that this will be posted since I have good things to say about Neurontin.
I was prescribed this medication for migraines, the horrific pain of fibromyalgia and myofacial pain syndrome, and cyclothymia (mild bi-polar). It did wonders for all 3 at a dosage of 1200 mg. per day.
I also have a good friend (former nurse) with peripheral neuropathy. She has been on Neurontin for years and says it is the only thing that really helps her pain.
I have found it to be a life saver because I was (metaphorically speaking) ready to end it all PRIOR to being prescribed Neurontin.
Not all drugs are right for everyone. And what fairly new medication *doesn’t* have a few thousand lawsuits against it?
Frankly, if this drug is taken away from me, my life will be pure hell again. It has turned me into the most functional human being I have been in many years by helping both my physical and mental illnesses.
I pray it will be approved for the 80% of us are taking it for ‘off label’ reasons and living a better life because of it!
Blessings,
Dee
To Tim Ireland–
I read both your letters. I’d love to talk with you privately. Is the email address you posted still current? If not, please drop me a line at phreeq13@yahoo.com …only if you want to, of course. Sounds like you’ve been through a lot of bad things that were not caused by Neurontin. I understand a lot of what you’ve been going through. (((Hugs)))
Blessings,
Dee
I was placed on Neurontin after my pelvis was fractured in a car accident. I never had any history of Depression before being prescribed the drug. Almost Immediately I developed the systemic rash. Still my dose was bumped up to 2400 mg. per day, even though it was not hehlping with the Peripheral Neuropathy. After several months on the Neurotin, I was extremely fatigued, had mood swings, was hostile, in addition to it basically ruining my short term memory. I attempted suicide TWICE while on the drug, the first time never succfully. This drug has ruined my life. Please help!
After reading some of the comments, I’m glad I got off the Nuerontin mill relatively quickly. I didn’t leave unscathed, though. I was prescribed Nuerontin after neck surgery, appartantly I had nerve root bruising during the surgery which resulted in a lot of pain and spasms afterward. I was able to control the symptoms with Percacet and Zanaflex most of the time. I tried to keep doses on both to a minimum – so I didn’t look like “a pain addict” – Needless to say my recovery was slower than normal, but knowing the cause, in my mind, all nature needed was time to have the nerve symptoms calm down ( appx. 6 months), also verified by my Chiropractor. I was pressured into taking Nuerontin 2 months after the surgery. I protested saying I wasn’t having epileptic symptoms and the other Rxs did their job most of the time. I was accused of refusing a valid treatment for my condition – this was said by the Dr. knowing I had an accident case that would be going to trial soon and if I refused treatment it could jeapordize the outcome. This DR. also knew I tend to have bad reactions to most drugs. I had reactions to Baclifen (?)& Flexerol, antibiotics,steroids, aspirin, even the surgical tape etc..I asked the Dr. if would aid healing and he said no – but I need to take it. I did due to the pending legal action.
Right after taking the first dose of Nuerontin (I was on a relatively low dose 600mgs a day)- I became severely disoriented, nauseated, lethargic, like I was in a stupor. I literally bounced off the walls, when after hours of trying to get up – I finally made it up. Ironic thing was it didn’t do anything for the pain or spasm. I also experienced weird mood sensations – I’m normally a pretty positive and happy indivual – these “Nuerontin reaction feelings” were not my norm and scared me. I also had vision distortions – everything “jumped” – I couldn’t look at anything that flickered – TV, the Computer, most lighting. So, I also lay in the dark for days. I only took it for 2 days and not even at the full dose on the 2nd day. After 2 more days I was still in the same state. I called the Pharmacist and he didn’t seem overly alarmed – he said call the Dr. – called the Dr. he said it would wear off. It took 3 weeks to be able to semi-functional again! I saw a Cranial-Sacral therapist and that helped a little. The one thing I haven’t been able to get rid of is the Vision distortion. It’s driving me nuts! Every few seconds things “jump”. At night I can’t sleep. Oh, that was another symptom – weird insomnia – I would reach a twilight level and just stay there, unable to sleep. I still have that also. The Zanaflex helps me get at least 3 hours of sleep now, but I’m soon awake again with the “visual lightening storms” that go on when in the dark. Does any know of any antidote? The pharmacist said there isn’t any, but I’m open to suggestions. I’m due back to full time work soon and I’m very worried about being able to do my job with no sleep and constant computer work. I’m angry and frustrated, after reading more on the unapproved use of this drug and the way Drs. are getting kick-backs – I’ll be more than happy to join any Class Action suit against Pfizer. As another writer previously stated, why does the DEA put pressure to take away something like Percacet that works for many Pain Patients. I’m not “high” – when you are truly in pain it gives you back a normal life. I have no reaction or side effects. I don’t abuse it and I haven’t increased my dose in 2 years. I’ll go into pain mode just to make sure I stay at that dose. My neck condition is here to stay – can’t be corrected. I just pray I can stay on the one drug that does work for me and maximize what function I still have relatively pain-diminished.
I have been on neurotin for about 5 years maybe longer, I have sensory neuropathy, When my Dr. first put me on this 300mg. 3 x day, My problem is that my feet where numb and I couldn’t stand it any longer,I ask him if there was anything that could be done about this, he told me ofcourse I was so excited that I could finally feel my feet.It help me for about 2 years. I was put on 600mg 3x a day, my feet have gotten worse to the point I can no longer drive. I can’t feel the brake pedal when I go to brake. Well anyway I have been reading all of your comments about neurotin, but I have never felt like I wanted to commit suicide, it never even crossed my mind.My head does get foggy at times where I can’t remember what I want to say but that’s about all. I am going to my nuerolgist in May and I will mention all that you have said about this drug. I wonder now if I my body is immune to this and it is no longer working?
I am shocked to find this site i was looking on the net to see what medicines i couldnt take with neurontin so i could be safe and i came accross this site seeing if it had information. I am shocked at all that i read as it now explains why i have been feeling the way i have. I have been on this drug for 3 weeks now and in that time i have gotten severe dizzy spells so bad that i thought maybe i had had a mini stroke. I have chest pains all day long now and anger i never felt before. I have thought of suicide and even expressed it to my husband to be. I am now going to be flushing these pills. my dr had givin them to me for severe fibromyalgia he told me it might make me drowsy. It did the opposite its like speed for me. I have been getting sever headaches and bad dizzyness and my speach and memory have been affected also hence i thought maybe i had a mini stroke. I have to go to my drs in a few days and i will be giving him this site to read for himself. I am now scared at what long term affects this will have on me also even when im off them. I have a 6 month old baby girl and a 4 year old daughter to think of. hence why suicide was never a option for me.but i noticed i have been getting angry. I will now be off these pills as of tonite i was on 1800 mg a day now i will be on 0 after knowing that this might damage me for good i am not a happy woman with this company at all. But i now know why the severe dizzyness which i had told my friends about and the chest pains and the anger and the headaches and bad dry mouth and total insomnia. And the pain is seeming to be worse not better i have numbnes now that wont go away in my left hand. I am mad as all heck now and will be letting my dr know that so if this is going to affect me long term i want the name of the lawyers doing this action suit so they can add me to there list of pissed off people.
I am both totally shocked and appalled that this medication Neurontin is being prescribed for purposes other than its intended FDA approval. Simply mind-boggling.
I had taken this medication in 2001 prior to undergoing a lumbar laminectomy. The very first day that I took it I had a adverse reaction and became quite hostile. I did not know for sure if it was the neurontin or if it was “just me” having a bad day because at the time I was depressed and also taking other meds. On the second day however of taking this medication things really kicked in and I became almost homocidial. I was like a completely different person, experienced severe mood swings, while even the least trival things would set off intense anger. My poor loving wife didn’t know what to think because most of my hostility was directed towards her and/or our children, for really no reason that she or they could comprehend. Needless to say, I immediately stopped taking this medicine after the second day of usage and I also recall it taking a couple of days for the lingering effects to wear off. Thank the Lord; I was so relieved!
Since I didn’t know for certain if my adverse reaction was due simply to the neurontin, I never mentioned it to my PD. I just told him that it wasn’t helping me with the pain and at that point he prescribed hydrocodone. Keep in mind that this was prior to my MRI and eventual surgery.
Now, here’s the kicker. Apparently even to this day my PD does not know about the misleading Pfizer claim of ‘off-label’ uses. I can’t speak for him, but like many PDs they are extremely busy people with little free time to perform indept research on every medication that is marketed. Consequently, I would venture to say that many rely on pharmaceutical reps, seminary attendance, collegues, etc., to obtain the much needed information that plays into their treatment regimen for patients. One reason I say that is my wife recently underwent a MRI scan for chronic pain in her right foot. Although the MRI proved negative, our PD (same family doctor) prescribed her – you guessd it – Neurontin. In her case, she had insomnia and at approx. 3:00AM in the morning she was vomiting profusely and had a horrible migraine. She then recalled my experience (two years hence) and immediately those pills went down the drain.
Recalling my experience with this drug, and after her experience just a few days ago, I decided to search the internet for potential side-effects that neurontin poses. In so doing I stumbed upon this site. Unbelieveable.
Thankfully, our experience with this medication didn’t last long. However, after reading many of the posts on this board, my heart goes out to those who have suffered greater physical, emotional and complex mental disorders than we have. It’s insane that people are subjected to this type of medical malfeasence.
If anyone has contact info to pass on concerning the class-action suit, please do. In the meantime, I will be contacting my PD and hopefully have him to do a detailed background check into this ‘off-label’ neurontin use and have him think twice the next time he prescribes it to his patients to control pain. Surely, he’s been duped.
Thank you.
Forrest Knight
I AM SO SHOCKED! I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE & THIS POPED UP IN FRONT OF ME,I CAN’T BELIEVE I! I HAVE BEEN ON THIS SINCE 11/03 ,I HAD CRYING SPELL’S ,TOLD MY HUSBAND I WANTED TO BLOW MY BRAIN’S OUT IN FRONT OF HIM & OTHER’S! HE HAD A SHOCKED LOOK ON HIS FACE,THIS IS SO NOT LKE ME AT ALL! I HAVE BEEN SO ANGRY ,CRYING SPELL’S ,COULD NOT CONTROL IT AT ALL! NOW IT ALL MAKE’S SENCE! THE ONYRASON I HAVE STOPPED,I COULDEN’T AFFORD IT UNTIL NEXT SOC.SEC CHECK! IT’S BEEN TWO WEEK’S,& I HAVE BEEN MORE MYSELF LATELY! I COULDEN’T UNDERTAND WHY I WAS ACTING LIKE THAT,I COULD NOT CONTROL IT! I AM NO LONGER GOING TO USE IT! I USED IT FOE NEUROAPATHY! MY SISTER IS ALSO ON IT,NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE HER READ THIS,ALSO SENDING COPY TO MY DR!THANK YOU SO MUCH! I REALLY HOUG I WAS GOING CRAZY! I HAV THE BEST HUSBANIN THE WORLD,& HE STAYED BY MY SIDE,KEPT ASKING MY ,HONEY,WHAT’S WRONG???? NANCI
WOW! This HAS to be a NIGHTMARE! How can it be that I have only found out TODAY what has been causing me SO much trouble?! I had an accident 9 years ago, and had to undergo MANY surgeries, during that time I developed RSD, and now, as if that isn’t bad enough, I find out that one of the drugs the doctor put me on is what has been causing my problems with suicide, vision problems, memory problems, tremors, severe heat flashes, etc. What’s worse is I can’t just stop taking it, so now I have to go through the process of slowly weaning off of it. I’m on 2400 MG per day and have been taking that amount for the past 7 to 9 yrs. I couldn’t figure out how an otherwise funloving, outgoing person, who LOVED life could be so TOTALLY turned into a suicidal freaked out person. I’m 45 years old and have been through a LOT but I NEVER thought of taking my own life till all of this, and I couldn’t figure out why I was thinking about it SO much, it’s not just a passing thought that I have once in a while, instead it’s something I think about virtually EVERY day! That just isn’t me, and even my Dad was wondering what was wrong with me, and why there was such a change in me, I have also had a TERRIBLE time with my short term memory, I am EXTREMEELY tired and listless all the time, my vision (that has ALWAYS been 20 20) has beome totally speratic, and even glasses haven’t been of much help because it changes so much. The drug does NOTHING for my pain and my tremors got worse to a point were I now take VALIUM on top of the neurontin to be able to settle the tremors. This is like kicking a person when they are already down, how could they do this to us, did they think we didn’t have ENOUGH problems already! And what makes me REAL MAD is I told my doctor at the beginning that because they didn’t know that much about RSD I was NOT going to let them use me as a “GUINEA PIG”, and they did it after all! Can ANYONE help me, I want to make them pay for what they have done to ALL of us! My heart goes out to ALL of you who are in the same spot, this NEVER should have happened! God Bless ALL of you! Sincerely, Jeff H.
WOW! This HAS to be a NIGHTMARE! How can it be that I have only found out TODAY what has been causing me SO much trouble?! I had an accident 9 years ago, and had to undergo MANY surgeries, during that time I developed RSD, and now, as if that isn’t bad enough, I find out that one of the drugs the doctor put me on is what has been causing my problems with suicide, vision problems, memory problems, tremors, severe heat flashes, etc. What’s worse is I can’t just stop taking it, so now I have to go through the process of slowly weaning off of it. I’m on 2400 MG per day and have been taking that amount for the past 7 to 9 yrs. I couldn’t figure out how an otherwise funloving, outgoing person, who LOVED life could be so TOTALLY turned into a suicidal freaked out person. I’m 45 years old and have been through a LOT but I NEVER thought of taking my own life till all of this, and I couldn’t figure out why I was thinking about it SO much, it’s not just a passing thought that I have once in a while, instead it’s something I think about virtually EVERY day! That just isn’t me, and even my Dad was wondering what was wrong with me, and why there was such a change in me, I have also had a TERRIBLE time with my short term memory, I am EXTREMEELY tired and listless all the time, my vision (that has ALWAYS been 20 20) has beome totally speratic, and even glasses haven’t been of much help because it changes so much. The drug does NOTHING for my pain and my tremors got worse to a point were I now take VALIUM on top of the neurontin to be able to settle the tremors. This is like kicking a person when they are already down, how could they do this to us, did they think we didn’t have ENOUGH problems already! And what makes me REAL MAD is I told my doctor at the beginning that because they didn’t know that much about RSD I was NOT going to let them use me as a “GUINEA PIG”, and they did it after all! Can ANYONE help me, I want to make them pay for what they have done to ALL of us! My heart goes out to ALL of you who are in the same spot, this NEVER should have happened! God Bless ALL of you! Sincerely, Jeff H.
I have been on 600 mg`s a day and after reading about the bad side affects, I want to stop neuronton. Please advise how to reduce it safely.
where do I get attorney information on class action suit ?
OH MY GOSH!!!! I AM SO TERRIFIED OF TAKING NEURONTIN NOW, AFTER READING THESE HORROR STORIES I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!! TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD A PROCEDURE DONE TO BURN NERVES IN MY BACK, DUE TO CHRONIC PAIN, AFTER THE PROCEDURE MY LEFT LEG WAS PARTIALLY NUMB AND PAINS SHOOTING DOWN INTO FOOT, AFTER A RETURN VISIT TO DOC FOR EPIDURAL(TO CALM PAIN) HE PUT ME ON 300 MG 3 X A DAY OF NEURONTIN, I WAS A BIT CONFUSED WHEN I SEEN IT WAS FOR EPILIPSY, ANYWAY I’VE BEEN ON IT A WEEK NOW, I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS OF ANYTHING YET!!!! BUT IT ALSO HASNT HELPED MY PAIN, I DONT SLEEP AT NIGHT…AFTER ALL THE STORIES I REALLY THINK I’LL GO OFF IT, I HAVE 4 KIDS TO THINK ABOUT…IT JUST BOGGLES ME THAT THERE SO WILLING TO PRESCRIBE DRUGS LIKE THIS BUT ARE SO NASTY ABOUT PERSCRIBING ACTUAL PAINKILLERS THAT WORK!!!!!I KNOW SOME PEOPLE ABUSE THEM BUT MOST OF US NEED THEM FOR A DECENT DAY…THANK YOU, AND IM SORRY TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE PROBLEMS YOU SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THIS, DEBBIE SADORF, JUNE 8TH 2004
I have just discovered this information after being on Neurontin for over 3 yrs now for anxiety. I now have chronic pancreatitis and was never made aware that this drug could have caused this awful disease. I have been out of work for almost 3 months now due to being in pain EVERY DAY!!! I am losing pay now and I am the major breadwinner in the family!!! This is a real double edged sword for me as I’m still taking it for anxiety because it helped me reduce the drugs I had to take for my anxiety problem I thought it was a miracle drug. I would like more info on how to sue the makers of this…..God Bless all of you that have suffered because of this drug.
Thank you
Laura
I took tegretal,dylanten and depekote from the age of seven til the age of sixteen. Ever since I quit taking the medications I have no memory and am fitigue all the time. My new nerologic tells me I was misdiagnosed that I have chronic fitigue and a posssible brain injury from the medication. Does any one suffer the same side effects as I do after quiting this medication?
Anyone know a good lawyer?
I HAVE HAD SEVEN BACK SURGERIES AND HAVE BEEN ON NUEROTIN FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 YRS. IT WAS PRESCRIBED TO HELP WITH THE LEG BURNING PAIN. EVERY TIME THAT I COMPLAINED THAT IT DID NOT HELP THE DOSAGE GOT HIGHER. NOW I TAKE 3200MG A DAY. IT ALL MAKES SINCE THE DEPRESSION, THE NOT WANTING TO DO ANYTHING AND LATELY THE SUICIDE FEELINGS. IN SEVEN YEARS I HAVE HAD 3 FUSIONS FROM L4 TO S1 AND I ALSO HAVE A NUEROSTEMULATOR IMPLANT. FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR IT IS “TAME THE PAIN” JERRY LEWISA INDORSES IT. I HAD THAT IMPLANTED SEPT 2003 AND THE REVISED 2004. IT SENDS A ELECTRICAL IMPULSE TO THE SPINAL CORD CUTTING OFF LEG PAIN ONLY. YET MY DR. STILL HAS ME ON NUEROTIN. I SAW THE ADD ON TV FOR JACOBY AND MEYERS LAW SUITE AGAINST NUEROTIN. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS THOMAS AUSTIN
I THOUGHT NEURONTIN WAS RELATIVELY SAFE I THOUGHT I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT HAD STOLE MY LIFE. NOW SIX YEARS LATER I LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND WONDER WHY HOW AND AFTER SUICIDE DESIGNS ON MY RECORDS IF I DO GET WELL WHO WOULD HIRE ME ALL THIS TIME I HAVE ASK WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME. I AM 56 YEARS OLD AND EMOTIONALLY , VISUALLY AND FINANCIALLY WRECKED. I HAVE JUST LEARN THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR SETTLE ABOUT NEUROTIN , I THINK IT WAS 1 AND 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS WHY WERE WE NOT ADVISED I AM VERY VERY ANGRY WHERE IS OUR HELP. I HAVE DIED A THOUSAND DEATHS AND NO ONE HEARD. NOT MY DOC. NOR I UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME.HE IS VERY UPSET AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE NEURONTIN SIDE EFFECTS WILL GO AWAY SO THAT MAYBE I WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE AGAIN .JAN— s.sbeach3@verizon.net
HEADS UP!!!!!!!!! I HAVE FOUND THAT THE LINK TO THIS SITE CONTAINS MANY LAW FIRMS WORKING FOR THE DRUG COMPANY. I THINK THAT WE MUST WORRY THEM A LOT. I CALLED UP STATE TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THE FIRMS THAT MIGHT HELP AND FOUND OUT THAT THE A MAJOR FIRM WAS REALLY HELPING THE DRUG COMPANY AND THEY WERE GATHERING INFO ABOUT US.
i am 41 year old africian american female, in the year of september 2000 i began seeing a doctor for some back pain and he prescribed me neurontin. i also had bouts with depression, ringing in my ears, and weight gain. there were times when i just wanted to die. i would get confused, just in a deep depression state. it helped the pain some but i feel i was becoming dependant on this medication. i no longer take it, but i still feel it had some side effects on me. such as i feel the depression sometimes.is it just me or did this medicine affect my system.
After two years on neurontin for pain, the pain was worse and depresesion extreme. Can’t cope with daily tasks, no incentive, no future. Overwhelmed with deprssesion and negative thoughts. My pleasure is gone. Spends weeks in bed. I see no way out.
I have taken neurontin for severe back pain, which eventually I had to have surgery for, the combination of Neurontin, vicadin, & naproxin kill the leg pain, but there were never any side effects mentioned that would cause ringing in the ears after stopping taking the medication. This is horrible, I hope this inproves.
Jim
My husband of 10 years was prescribed Neurontin for back pain. He had 2 back surgeries and was going to go in for a third one. The doctors just kept increasing his dose because it was not helping with the pain in his back and leg. He was a very outgoing, funny person who loved our 3 children very, very much. Over the last 2 years, since he had been on Neurontin, he became very withdrawn, paranoid, and very deppressed. At the time I didn’t know anything about this medicine, but last year, on October 31 he kissed us all and told us he would be sure to be with us to go Trick or Treating, and left and committed suicide. This was not the man I married. I could not believe he did this, it just was not something he would ever do. When we found him in the garage his bottle of Neurontin was open right next to him and there were pills laying everywhere so I started checking out this medicine. I beg you all, if you are on Neurontin, please, please, get off of it. It’s not worth it. Our lives turned upside down, my oldest son, who is 7, is in therapy, and my 2 little girls cry every day because they miss him and want him to come home. It’s very, very, hard to live without him. Please don’t take the chance. It literally could mean you life!
Why are doctors still prescribing this drug for off-label medical problems. My doctor told my husband and I just recently that neurotin helps depression. Why don’t the doctors know about the effects and why are they still prescribing it? Can’t we go after the doctors? This has to be news that they know about? Please let me know how we can get help in Florida.
Contact me at thevillage12@earthlink.net Thank you!!
I wish I had found this site a year ago! Last June I was diagnosed with sudden onset of Guillain Barre Syndrome and my neurologist prescribed Neurontin to help me get through the day and night with my tremors. He claimed it was safe and non-addictive. Interestingly enough, within days of taking this drug I developed more symptoms than what my original complaint had been. I was in constant pain, had morning paralysis, breathing difficulties, acid reflux, muscle spasms, huge weight gain…final symptoms culminating in kidney stones. I’m a young female – not your typical recipient of kidney stones! Every time I would see my doctor I would list off new symptoms I had (thinking it was all related to the GBS) to which he would just respond by raising my Neurontin doseage. But after a visit to the ER for the kidney stones I decided to research in more depth the side effects of Neurontin and was amazed that it was a check list for virtually every symptom I had! So I quit “cold turkey” and when I mentioned all of this to my doctor and told him I got the list of side effects from my PDR (Physician’s Desk Reference) he merely stated that when trials are done any single episode of any side effect is always listed even if it is not attributed to the drug. Well I already knew that but this was too much to be mere coincidence.
Now, nearly 5 months later, I am totally pain free and back to my initial GBS complaints which are nowhere as severe as the ones I had with the drug. I’ve lost weight and feel great. IF any of you can possibly get off this drug I think you will be amazed at how much better you will feel. Because sometimes the symptoms of a disease are more tolerable than the side effects of medication!
I was perscribed neurotin 6 weeks after having a double fusion neck surgery, I still had the back nerve pain. My mind whirled and couldn’t concentrate. I became angry at everyone, and tried to change jobs to move away from my family and the people that loved me. I was engaged, but no more. I did and said things I regret, and If they new what I was thinking about, well that scares me. I tried to controll myself, I started slurring and couldn’t write, my feet hurt, my pains increased. I almost totalled my car, then having whiplash. I felt like I had a triple dose of p.m.s. all the time. After 4 weeks 1800mg. per day, I started investigating Neurotin. I lowered the dosage as directed. Went into horrible suicidal depression and withdrawls much like someone coming off of Herion. I am single have 5 children to provide for, I had to call my x-fiance’ to come take care of me, talk me through this, He gave me epson salt baths (hot) to help sweat this out. My dr. called in zanax. Another dr. gave me Prozak. Along with my hydro-co. for pain. I also took muscle relaxers to freakin relax. It tops my list of worst experiences of my life and I still suffer with anxiety. I look back now and remember only suffering. I’m still finding out stuff I did, that I don’t remember. This is some scarey stuff, stay away from it.
Well, now that you have been taking Neurontin for a couple of years do you
find that you are PHYSICALLY ADDICTED TO IT????????
I have HUNDREDS of “Neurontin Horror Stories” from people who
are SUICIDAL, HOMICIDAL, HAVE UNCONTROLLABLE ANGER, RAGE &
HOSTILITY………accompanied with NO REMORSE………..I even have have
emails from people who’s family members have COMMITTED SUICIDE by
Overdosing on Neurontin.
I have emails from people who have been ARRESTED because they became
VIOLENT while on Neurontin………..fighting……….causing serious
bodily harm.
Just TRY to stop taking Neurontin…………you will have the most
horrible “out of body” experience……….you will
HALLUCINATE……..you will feel like you are going to
die…………….and this goes on FOREVER…….you will NEVER BE THE
SAME………..Neurontin does something to the GABA Receptors in you
Brain, the “Pain Control Center” of your Body.
Neurontin has caused PERMANENT & IRREVERSABLE Brain Damage to
me……….I am Physically Addicted to Neurontin………..My body’s
“Internal Functions” are in complete disarray………..I have
Chronic Diarreah……..I have IBS……..I have a “Welt Type
Rash” that appears spontaniously on different parts of my
body………………AND I TAKE NO OTHER MEDICATIONS EXCEPT NEURONTIN.
Neurontin is a HORRIBLE DRUG………..It is nothing short of a
NIGHTMARE……….Neurontin works on your MU opiate receptors!It sets off your allergy It will make you crave dope!I was a Heroin and hydrocodone addict for years.I understand the frustration you all must be suffering.I have had almost 6 months of clean time,worked the steps of AA and am free of the hell of addiction after 7 years.I’m also drug tested on probabtion weekly and Neurontin is a big NoNo for addicts in recovery.
To Neurontin-free,
it sounds like you were not told that opiate addicts are not supposed to take this drug. Opiate addicts get addicted to Neurontin. I went off of Neurontin- cold turkey and never suffered withdrawls, or cravings to be on it. However, I suffer too many various conditions that I had never suffered before taking the drug. I won’t name them all because they are many, but the memory loss has wrecked my life. The anxiety and fear of leaving my home is extreme. the very first thought that I have when I wake up is how I can kill myself today. I forget what state I am in; how to drive; what I’m doing, or supposed to be doing several times a day. At times, I cannot finish a conversation because I suddenly forget what I was saying. Forget dates, time, or days! I have been off the stuff for a while(at least for 2 years-I think). My memory and other physical symtoms are getting worse! I was on 2400 per night for insomia. I was on for several years–please don’t ask how many because I can’t remember. Every once in a while, suddenly; my memory seems to start working the way it used to, but that only lasts a few hours before something seems to happen and my mind feels confused and blank. I am 46.
I WAS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT 1988. I HAVE BEEN THRU 20 SURGERIES AND WAS SENT TO A PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR. HE PUT ME ON OXYCONTIN WHICH HELPED. BUT WHEN I STARTED BECOMING IMUNE TO MY DOSAGE HE WANTED TO PUT ME ON NEURONTIN.
WHEN I PROTESTED BECAUSE OF ALL THE NEGATIVE NEWS, HE THREATENED TO TAKE ME OFF MY PAIN MEDS AND DROP ME AS A PATIENT ALL TOGETHER. THIS WAS WITHOUT EVEN SUGGESTING ANOTHER DRUG.
TO KEEP MY PAIN MEDS COMING BECAUSE MY LIFE WOULD BE OVER WITHOUT THEM, I TELL HIM I AM TAKING NEURONTON, BUT DON’T.
I WANT TO TALK TO A LAWYER AND SEE IF A DOCTOR CAN FORCE YOU TO TAKE A DRUG THAT HAS SO MUCH NEGATIVE REPORTS ON IT.
BEFORE I CHANGE DOCTORS.
my wife is suffering from nerve damage caused by a wound infection following surgery. she has been taking gabapentin for pain management at 1800 per day it has little effect on her pain well at least the pain is still present ecery day and seems to be getting worse.
I have asked our gp many times about any ill effects from this drug and have been told it is perfectly safe with none of the symptoms described here which i can say all look too familiar. Has anyone challenged their gps on this
I was actually wondering I have been on nuerontin for three years and I am only 20 I came to a decision that it was time to get off this medication so I have I am having horrible withdrawls and was wondering what some of you may have experienced from either withdrawls r taking this medication if any one knows how long this will take please e-mail meI need to know it’s been a week but I am still having problems with sweats irratbility and other problems if you have any info that would help me plaese do so thanks again
My storyin brief. I have severe back pain due to an accident. After several months of oxycodone, muscle relaxers and PT I was put on Neurontin. That was 2 years ago. I had some side effects immediately but also had some relief of pain. When my dosing went from 900mg/day to 1800mg/day I had much better pain relief. It didn’t touch the extreme periodic pain however, the general achiness and cramping were relieved to a great degree. At that time I also experienced severe side effects. I had a terrible ringing in my ears that would never go away. The doctor said he never heard of this and told me to get a hearing test. Said it must be me getting older (I was 49). At that time I also had aching feet and legs, especially in the morning. The doctor treated me for shin splints. Said it must be from all the exercise I get. I can barely walk some days. I also get chest pains which have worried me greatly. Also, I experienced weight gain. One of the worst symptoms is the almost total lack of sleep. I am contantly dissy and extremely forgetful. I sometimes forget what I am doing. I know alot of people say that happens to them but, they won’t be sitting in a chair sometimes for an hour or two trying to figure that out. Oh, I finally got off it after two years. I experienced weight loss and extremely disturbing dreams. The worst gory movie scenes could compare to what I woke up from. I am at a new pain clinic now and the doctor just prescribed Neurontin, despite my past experience. Please, something must be done to stop this maddness. Signed, Recovering in NC.
My fiance went through a terrible divorce and the Doctor put him on Neurontin. His family said he was doing ok until this medicine took control of his life. He tried to commit suicide 3 times, once with this medicine. The doctor said in no way he should be alive today, he could not believe he pulled out of it. His family also said he was ok and dealing with the stress of it all until taking this medicine. He now forgets things, he will be telling me something and half way through forgets the rest of the story. This is sad to see and he is only 39. Will he ever recover from this? Does anyone know how to get compensation for his injurys and who to contact?? Please help. Thank you.
I have been taking neuontin for about 3 years. I was prescribed it for my cyatic nerve (however you spell it) and also and taking effexor for depression. It takes about 2 1/2 hours after I take the neurontin and I feel great. Im in a real good mood. But when it strts wearing off I get severly depressed. I want to quit taking it but It also makes me depressed to think I wont have that happy feeling anymore. The feeling I get 3 hours after I take it. It does actually help my pain. I dont have alot of the side effects that everyone else is talking about on here. But I do get very depressed when the meds are wearing off.
I experienced increase pain in both feet and going thru a maze of Physicians, ended at a Pain Medicine Physician. I was diagnosed of having Diabetic Neuropathy. I was Rx 1800 mg a day at three times a day. The pain continued leaving me fatagued from lack of sleep, and hindered certain cognitive abilities. In return visit the Physician increaed my dosage of Neurotin to 800 mg. five times a day or 4,000 mg a day with also a Rx for Lidoderm Patches up to three a day or 12 hour periods. I have experienced a number of side effects and learned from others Personality changes as well other cognitive issues.. I currently await the introduction of Lyrica by Pfizer to the Public. My Case Manager from BC/BS as well of my Internal Medicine Dr have expressed concerns of the 4,000 mg a day dosage on more than one occasion.
I have tried nuerontin a few yrs ago for leg pain and lower back pain. I have pinched nerves or nerve damage at L4 and S1 I have had back surgery at L2-L3.I have degenerative disk disease in 6 other places. I understand the pain, anxiety and depression. I have found some help. After going bankrupt and losing my health insurance. I went to the VA I currently have health insurance but choose to go to the VA hospital. They understand what where suffering from more than any regular doc’s…They have great pain management docs. He’s what I’m taking currently, finally I’m getting great relieve…50MG of Zolft in the morning for depression it works wonderful I have’nt been having thoughts of suicide since taking this medication it also helps with the pain. beware it takes 3 or 4 days for your body to get used to it you will have diarea from this at first also you may have trouble having an orgasm you can still get it up it just gives you a magic stick. I take two 50mg tabs of tramadol every 6 hrs with two 25mg capsules of hydroxyzine pamoate for pain and anxiety this also helps with the the rashes believe it or not and provides great pain relieve tramadol has the same pain relieving power as morphine without the side effects. I take a 10mg of cyclobenaprine hcl its a muscle relaxer at bed time if my back is tense. I take two 2mg capsules of loperamide for diarrhea which is something we shouldn’t have taking the tramadol which has codiene and finally I take on 30mg capsule of temazepam once every 3 nights to help me sleep do not take with muscle relaxer. if you take the teazepam or flexerile you will probably have dreams. I also understand finally why I have diarrhea if my pain gets to great or I get under any stress. Our body either fights or flee’s pain and stress our bodies first response is to shuts down our digestive system first and dumb our bowels it took me three yrs to find this out I currently am seeing a psycologist at the VA hospital this is part of their pain management programI hope this helps. Do you have dizziness I don’t have this any longer since I quit working what was causing the dizzeness was my C5-C6 disc in my neck. I heard a noise and had dizziness if I turned my head left and then fight or looked left and then right I know this sounds strange but the neck strain if you sitting alot at a desk and using the computer or have alot of upper back tension this may be your answer exercise regularily and avoid straining your back and neck by using the computer too much. I know my relieve is limited my back continues to detereorate but we have hope folks the medical profession is mapping the genes… and the spine and central nervous system with this information they will be able to build newer and better pain medicines in the next 2 yrs my psycologist tells me. If you’r hurting and not treating your pain your going to get more depressed, irritable angry and hard to get along with and you probably will not even notice it. always take your anti depressants and pain medicines and sedatives…If prescribed. Find a doctor who understands pain management get a psycologist and don’t give up until you find the proper help believe me I know what its like to suffer needlessly because you have a doctor whos is not compassionate and knowledgeable in this area. their are alot of orthopedic docs out there who don’t want to prescribe pain medicines..Get A new doctor if your is like this you don’t have to suffer the medication I take works well for everything we suffer from finally after 3 yrs I found the right docs… Hope you all do to soon.. God Bless
Ihave been on neurontin now for 2 years and i feel like it i no longer working for me… as i have tryed lots of times to come of it , the withdrawals are terrable,, neurontin also have caused me to have gastritis, acid reflux, and more pain…. comming off of this drug is hell, it has made me a very differant personnot for the better. and i need help…..
please e mail me anyone who can help me come of of this drug….
where do i get infomation about the lawsuit against this drug…thanks
I have taken Nuerontin for 3 years, it was prescribed for anxiety. I feel that I am physically addicted to it because of my real withdrawls if I miss a dose. I hate what this has done to me and I hate the fact that this company is still making money from me. I am in the middle of trying to get help to ween off but help is limited. If anyone has any good ideas to get off of this please let me know. I am also interested in a class-action.
I have interstital cystits which is pain in the bladder. So when i went to my doctor she put me on neurontin 100mg 3times a day. Well the pain was there so i went back to my docs and she said to try adding another 100 a day to make it 400mg. She also said after a week if your not feeling better to move up to 500mg. I am pretty sure i was on 300mg for about a month then 400mg for one week and then 500mg for about 3 weeks. Now after i took the 500mg for about two weeks i started to get heart palpatations. Well they lasted a week in a half and i saw my doctor and he wasnt sure if it was the neurontin ( i think it is). So this past week i have gone from 500, 400, 200 and none today. The thing is in the past 4 days i have had heart palpatations with anxiety attacks. Just wondering if anyone has had any heart palpatations on this medicine. I know one thing i really hope in the next two days i start to feel better. Thanks for listening? Would love any responses.
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