United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

This may apply to Neurontin & Lyrica



http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7016755002
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Epilepsy Drugs May Trigger Schizophrenia
October 21, 2009 6:34 a.m. EST


David Goodhue - AHN Reporter

Washington, DC (AHN) - Drugs given to prevent seizures in epileptic children may contribute to the development of schizophrenia later in life, according to researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center.

The researchers said in a statement that exposure to anti-epileptic drugs in animal test subjects during critical periods of brain development increased schizophrenia-like behaviors in the lab animals.

Guillermo Palchik, a doctoral student at the university's department of pediatrics, said in a statement that the findings raise questions about the safety of administering drugs like Phenobarbital to children because they trigger the cell death in many brain regions.

He said the drugs are also being prescribed as a treatment for migraines, neuropathic pain and mood disorders.

The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and a research grant from drug giant GlaxoSmithKline. It was presented at the 39th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience held at the university.

Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles ... z0Uh8VQGA5

This is yet another reason why I just deal with the neuropathic pain. The pain is generally severe, but with time it just becomes second nature. I have enough problems with the paralyzed fingers, I don't want to add to it with nervous tics or schizophrenia.

Bass Gimpin
This is if they are given to children, not adults. These drugs may affect the development of children's brains. BUT what is worse? Letting a child have seizures and let those wreak havoc with their brain development?

I have been on Neurontin or Lyrica for over 5 years now with NO major side effects. Without them I cannot function with the pain. I have pain not from my OBPI but from a spinal cord injury I got in 2004. I take nearly the max dose for Lyrica, and was on really high doses of Neurontin before that. You have to make a choice. Some people are lucky that they can function without medication, others cannot.

I would be careful with what I would give a child, weighing out the Pros and Cons.

Marieke 34, LOBPI

marieke,

This should have been posted in the OBPI area and the post should have been a bit more specific as to who this affected.

I realize that not everyone can function without the medication. This is simply a choice I have made for myself. I cant function while on Neurontin or Lyrica because the side effects are too much for me to deal with. Personally, I prefer having a clear thought process rather than slowed with the inability to concentrate. The dizziness and drowsiness were a bit too much for me as well. So, for me this is a personal choice. Speaking of being lucky...I would say the same about you for being able to function while on it and be pain free as well.

-Shane

It is posted on the OBPI boards as well. And yes I am lucky to be able to function while on all the meds I take (the Lyrica is just one of 9). But I am not pain free, it just helps decrease it.
I do wish there was a way to get rid of it completely though