No.1 MEDICINE for Your NERVES; Benefits and SHOCKING Side Effects | Doc Cherry

Have you heard about anti-seizure medications? What are considered the top remedies for sciatica? Numbness and tingling sensations caused by nerve damage. These medicines are often praised for their benefits. in alleviating neuropathy symptoms, but comes with hidden and surprising side effects. In this video, we will talk about pregabalin and gabapentin. and has brand names such as Neurontin and Lyrica. How effective are they in managing nerve pain? What are the possible side effects? And what should you do if these oral medications don't work for you? Hi, this is Dr. Sherry again, Doctor of Physical Therapy. teaching you practical health tips and home exercise programs that you can certainly benefit from. How effective are gabapentin and pregabalin in managing nerve pain? Studies validated by the American Neurology Association actually show that you are capable of experiencing moderate to significant improvement in neuropathy symptoms with the help of these oral medications, especially in cases of sciatica where there is a compressed nerve in your spine or in cases of diabetic neuropathy, a complication of diabetes However, there are also studies that show you can only experience moderate to low improvement in your symptoms if the cause is due to phantom limb pain, a type of pain that is experienced after an amputation Now, here's where it gets interesting Because although it can help many, it won't work for everyone. So, is this also considered your top treatment for neuropathic pain? or just one of the possible treatment options? When can you start noticing an improvement in your symptoms? These can vary from patient to patient and depend on the severity of the symptoms. For some, their symptoms will improve within a few weeks. For some, within a few months. This is really a case-by-case basis. Now, having these oral medications can test your patience. However, if it works for you, it might be worth your time. But here is another question you need to ponder. Would prolonged intake of these medications also make you more susceptible to the side effects? What is the recommended dosage? This is not a one-size-fits-all. And your doctor is more likely to start you with a lower dose. For instance, 300 mg. For example, the maximum for gabapentin is 3,600 mg. However, this does not mean that everyone would be given this. because in most clinical studies, it showed that 1,200 mg can already help a large number of patients. This needs to be monitored by your doctor. to find the optimal balance between effectiveness and potential side effects. What are the documented side effects for gabapentin and pregabalin? These oral medications are well documented to cause drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue. Long-term use has been linked to memory loss, mood swings, and even dependency. Now, although these side effects may be taken lightly, if you are going to look at it closely, This can also affect your quality of life. When gabapentin and pregabalin are combined with opioids, This can cause difficulty breathing. And in some cases, it may even cause death. Have you tried gabapentin or pregabalin? Please comment yes or no in the comment section below. Also share your experience. Did it help with your neuropathy symptoms, or did you experience any side effects? Your contribution in the comment section would also assist others in this community. If you find this video helpful, I would greatly appreciate it. if you can spare just one second of your time To please click the like button below as your way of supporting me and this channel. Also, please don't forget to click the subscribe and the bell button below So you'll be updated with our more in-depth videos. Can you take gabapentin and pregabalin with oral pain relievers? Yes, you can take other oral pain relievers. However, this needs to be monitored by your doctor. because it can affect the efficacy of the medication or may have possible drug interactions. What do you need to avoid while taking these medications? Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited when you're taking gabapentin or pregabalin to manage nerve pain. This will increase drowsiness, and that is why it is not recommended for you. to engage in activities that require full mental concentration, such as driving, Not until the side effects you experience with these oral medications are well-established. What should you do if these oral medications do not reduce your neuropathy symptoms? If gabapentin and pregabalin do not work for you in reducing the symptoms of neuropathy, You must consider other alternative options. You can take vitamins. Vitamins considered the building blocks for healthy nerves and which could aid in nerve repair. If you want to know about the 7 vitamins that are well-documented in clinical studies To help with symptoms of neuropathy, we have a video here. You can check on it later. It will guide you. Physical therapy can also help you manage neuropathy symptoms. by using natural techniques to help alleviate the pain and also by educating you on the positions you need to promote and the positions you need to avoid. If the cause of the nerve damage is due to sciatica, please check this video later. This will inform you of the positions you need to avoid based on your X-ray and MRI results. You can also use topical pain gel and cream to help reduce neuropathy symptoms naturally. Look for products containing capsaicin or Arnica Montana Extract. Using gabapentin and pregabalin to manage symptoms of neuropathy is by no means bad. You just need to be informed and educated about the possible side effects. And what I have been emphasizing on this channel is to take a holistic approach. so that you will have this medication for the shortest time possible. Get to the root cause of the problem. If the cause is diabetic neuropathy, manage your blood sugar levels properly. This will truly make a significant difference in your improvement. If you have reached the end of this video, please leave a comment below in the comment section. Thank you very much for watching. I'll see you in our next video. God bless you.