Back Pain Community

Hi Ralph and welcome to the support group -


first - regarding neurontin - did the doctor start you out on a strong dose? or a low dose gradually increasing it?


I take Neurontin and started out taking 300mg daily for about 2 weeks then each week after that I would increase another 300mg thus working up to taking 3600mg daily


when first taken Neurontin does give the effect of drowsiness or even a 'drunk' feeling - but after about 1-2 weeks this goes away - it's just getting used to the med.


You may want to re-visit your doctor with this - as there are some doctors out there that don't realize this med must be slowly increased until a therapeutic dose can be found. I have nerve damage in both legs (neuropathy) and it does get worse each year -


I have never heard of the CA Poppy but did find this article in WEBMD about it -


http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-104-CALIFORNIA%20POPPY.aspx?activeIngredientId=104&activeIngredientName=CALIFORNIA%20POPPY


it does state that the uses are used for 3 mts or less and not known if longer uses are safe etc.,


I would do research on this as much as you can and also discuss with your health care pain doctor - it may not be as beneficial as you may have thought but research does need to be done. I haven't heard of any members using this or other herbs but those do need lots of research.


the majority of members here do take some type of opioid med(s) and we do have one that is allergic to pain meds so he has a chiropractor that works his back (but he sees a spine specialist and has MRI/CT Scans done) before seeing the chiropractor so he knows which areas to work on etc.


If you have a pain clinic you go to you may want to see if you have a PHYSIATRIST Pain Management Clinic in your area -
here is site on what/how they treat


http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/spine-specialists/what-a-physiatrist - they go into different types of pain control and may even have better suggestions for holistic treatments - so do check that - at the top of this page is a search: DOCTORS - just enter what you are looking for and the area and it will give you listing -


hoping you do find the relief and treatments you are looking for - please keep us posted. take care - Joy

Yes It Works !!
I suffer from pollyneuropathy 30 yrs, and the muscle cramps in my calves, and feet got so bad I could not sleep.
They would hit me 5 or 6 times a night.
I heard about California Poppy from The Dr. Oz TV Show and thought I should give it a try.
And let me tell you for me it has been a miraculous recovery.
Since taking California Poppy I have not had one cramp, and have stopped taking my neuropathy medication Gabapentin 300mg.
I now only take the California Poppy and my restless leg medication Pramipexole Di-HCL 0.5mg
I take 15 to 20 drops three times a day of the poppy and my life has really changed for the good