United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello people--has anybody tried a 'new' seizure med called zonegran? I've been taking it for a month and I believe it's helping a helluva lot WITHOUT all the crappy effects of neurontin, topomax ect. I have had some really bad insomnia- I mean really bad- but coupled w/my methadone it seems to keep the pain down to a muffled scream even on my worse days.Seein' the Doc tomorrow so I may be able to do sump'm about this damnable insomnia. Maybe go back to the restoril. It works pretty good. Ambien sux. It doesn't put me to sleep -it just makes me unconcious for 90 minutes then I'm up for 20 hours. Ah, remember those pre-bpi days of uninterupted REM sleep? Anybody intrested in a real horror show ask me about my dreams-I won't put them in print here-they might 'disturb' somebody. Does anybody else have persistant dreams about thier pain? Like, "stuff" happening to your arm in your dreams? Well, you're not the only wierdo amoungst us.I should sell 'em to Stephen King--Ronin

I am sorry to say I have never heard of this med. But I thank you for letting us know about it.

Best to you,

Karen

I never heard of this medication but am checking it out. Will let you know what I find out!

ronin,
Does the zonegran cause the insomnia? I would like to get off neurontin. Maybe zonegran would have less side effects. Let me know what you find out when you see the doc. Thanks...Karl...

Karl--saw Doc yesterday-went back on restoril. It takes care of the insomnia. If you have the crappy side effects from neurontin I did then zonegran may be worth a shot. I love it.(compared to the others) It works differently than all the other seizure crap like topomax, trileptal ect and I haven't had any problems personally except trouble sleeping. Oh and maybe constipation-but I take methadone too so it may be the combination causing that. Good luck. Ronin

I am a little fuzzy about the zonegran that you are taking. My son had a tbpi in 95. He takes neurotin for pain and elevil to help sleep at nt. This zonegran really interests me. Do you really think it works alot better than Neurotin for the pain? Do you feel a little like you are going around tired and in a daze during the day from it? My son claims the neurotin does that to him. Actually his goal is to get all all medication because this is a lifelong injury. However, this new med might react better for him with pain relief.

Also, do you think this new med is definitly causing the insomnia?
Did you just go off the neurotin cold turkey and switched to zonegran? or did you have to do it gradually? We would just appreciate more details about it if you can.

Thanks so much,
Linda

Hi
I have been taking zonegran as a mood stabalizer,I love it! i take 200 mil at night and it helps me sleep.I'm sorry about those wierd dreams,try putting a glass of water under your bed,old myth.Good luck

Linda
zonegran does not cause insomnia,if anything it makes you sleepy,you are suppose to take it at night and i think its better that neortin sorry cant spell tonight