Thursday, January 25, 2018
After spending the last three years getting off prescription medications (Paxil, simvastatin, glipizide, metformin, atenolol, nortriptyline, and even sumatriptan if the CBD/THCA tinctures keep working to prevent migraines!), I’m majorly bummed right now to be even considering more pharmaceuticals to deal with my chronic neck pain. But I just can’t handle the prospects of spending the rest of my life in constant pain!
The first criteria for ANY medication that is prescribed for me or that I am considering asking for is how that medication affects my blood sugar. Below are the results of my Google searches:
390 Drugs That Can Affect Blood Glucose Levels
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/drugs-that-can-affect-blood-glucose-levels/
NOTE: The descriptions and dosages given below are from my personal experience and research and should not be considered as “medical advice” for anyone else. Please scroll down to the DISCLAIMER at the bottom of this page.
Tylenol #3 with Codeine
Dr. Chan prescribed this for me twice. Once in January 2016 when I had a very painful arthritis flare in my left hand, and again in June of that year for a painful toothache. I still have some of the pills left. UPDATE: I ended up taking the rest of my stash, mainly at night when the pain was worse.
Prednisone
Dr. Bret Andrews, neurologist, prescribed this for me in August of 2016 when I was having a particularly bad siege of migraines. It was a temporary 9-day regimen. I never actually took it but “saved” it for the worst possible pain that could not be relieved or reduced with anything else. UPDATE: Linda took it for some issues she was having, so now I will not have it to tempt me any more.
Sumatriptan (generic Imitrex)
I take a 100mg tablet of sumatriptan plus 2 Aleve (440mg total) when it becomes clear that my head pain is actually a migraine. I lie down in the bed with an ice pack on my head and my feet on the heating pad. It takes 30-60 minutes for the migraine pain to subside. If I wait too long to take the abortive, the pain gets significantly worse and, rarely, can take more than 2 hours (at which time I am allowed to take another sumatriptan within 24 hours). I haven’t had to do that for a long time, though, especially since I’ve been taking the MigreLief (magnesium, riboflavin, and feverfew) for a preventative. UPDATE: Since starting CBD & THCA tinctures in November 2017, I have had only 2 migraines to date [9/8/18].
NSAIDs
Ibuprofen (I take Advil Liquid Gels) works well for mild to moderate pain and inflammation, but it doesn’t last as long as other NSAIDs. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) reduces fever and relieves pain well, but it doesn’t lower inflammation and swelling. Naproxen works well for mild to moderate pain and inflammation, and it lasts longer than other NSAIDs.
https://www.iodine.com/compare/ibuprofen-vs-tylenol-vs-naproxen
The NSAIDs are COX-2 inhibitors. They do accomplish this, but along the way they can also cause liver and kidney damage, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. A recently published study reveals even greater risks to these drugs. In the study Danish researchers found that use of NSAIDs among heart attack survivors greatly increased their risk of a repeat heart attack. This risk persisted even six months after the heart attack, and even if the use of the drugs was brief. Translation: for those who have had a heart attack or stroke, the NSAIDs pose a real danger.
Meanwhile, a recent study of acetaminophen (Tylenol) showed that those who take the drug are at an increased risk of some blood cancers. Acetaminophen use is also the leading cause of drug-induced liver failure in the United States. Though acetaminophen is not an NSAID, it poses significant health hazards nonetheless.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/18/natural-safe-anti-inflammatory-medicines.html
From a chronic pain sufferer:
“I can’t take NSAIDs because I used too many and gave myself a bleeding ulcer. Two transfusions and a few days in the hospital for a ‘procedure’ to clamp the hole in my stomach. Now I’m working on destroying my liver with acetaminophen.”
—Unnamed
Ibuprofen or Meloxicam. What’s Better?
While ibuprofen (Advil) is considered a typical NSAID, meloxicam (Mobic) is considered a partially selective NSAID. So which one is better? Let’s look.
https://www.goodrx.com/blog/ibuprofen-or-meloxicam-whats-better/
Flexeril
Prescribed by Dr. Sumetanon on 12/17/18, 5mg (1/2 tablet) at night
1/5/18 – requested increased in dosage to 10mg (1 tablet) at night
Jan. 22, 2018
24,193 people reported to have side effects when taking Flexeril.
Among them, 194 people (0.8%) have high blood sugar
https://www.ehealthme.com/ds/flexeril/high-blood-sugar/
Tramadol
Prescribed by Dr. Kalra on 5/14/18
Increased to 50mg once or twice daily as needed
Jan. 20, 2018
83,165 people reported to have side effects when taking Tramadol.
Among them, 234 people (0.28%) have high blood sugar
https://www.ehealthme.com/ds/tramadol/high-blood-sugar/
The most common side effects with Ultram (tramadol) include nausea, vomiting, memory loss, sweating, and constipation. Based on the available reference data (i.e., prescribing information), the specific side effect you described is not likely to be related to the suspect medication.
In its immediate release form, no more than 100 mg (2 tablets) of tramadol should be taken every 6 hours…. The maximum dose of extended release tramadol it’s safe to take is 300 mg, because that’s the largest dosage the drug comes in. Taking two of these pills at once could cause very serious side effects, most notably seizures. Mar 29, 2012
Gabapentin
Prescribed by Dr. Kalra at phone appointment on January 25
Start with 100mg once daily, increase to 300mg twice daily
At that point, it gave me horrendous headaches, requiring high dosages of ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and/or Excedrin. Also experienced disturbing brain fog.
From my research:
Jan. 19, 2018
101,543 people reported to have side effects when taking Gabapentin.
Among them, 349 people (0.34%) have high blood sugar
https://www.ehealthme.com/ds/gabapentin/high-blood-sugar/
Types of drugs that are known to interact with gabapentin and may cause problems include:
- Opiate pain medications, including Vicodin and morphine, among others.
- Naproxen (also known as the brands Aleve, Naprosyn, and others)
- Medications used for heartburn, including Mylanta, Maalox, and cimetidine.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid taking an antacid within 2 hours before or after you take gabapentin. Antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb gabapentin. Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Lyrica
Prescribed by Dr. Kalra to replace gabapentin
Start with 50mg 2x/day, increase to 150mg 2x/day (300mg/day)
Lyrica is effective for pain, relieves the brain fog, and does not cause those horrendous headaches as gabapentin did! It does cause some dizziness, but I can adapt to that. I’ve also heard some people complain that they gained weight with Lyrica (pregabalin, but as of this date not yet available in a generic in the United States). Okay, it may increase appetite—or maybe it’s just because I feel that much better that I want to eat!—but if I keep aware of that, I know how to eat (aka, low-carb) to prevent weight gain.
138,585 people reported to have side effects when taking Lyrica.
Among them, 342 people (0.25%) have high blood sugar
https://www.ehealthme.com/ds/lyrica/high-blood-sugar
138,585 people reported to have side effects when taking Lyrica.
Among them, 8,197 people (5.91%) have weight gain
https://www.ehealthme.com/ds/lyrica/weight-gain/
PREGABALIN
https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_pregabalin_lyrica/drugs-condition.htm
The most recent (9/8/18) revelation is that Lyrica is undoubtedly causing my recent hair loss (alopecia) that even biotin is not counteracting. Grr! Now I feel that I should stop coloring my hair. Dang. Will I stop taking Lyrica for that reason? Not a chance!
Do Gabapentin Neurontin and Pregabalin Lyrica Cause Hair Loss?
Yes!
https://www.baumanmedical.com/gabapentin-neurontin-pregabalin-lyrica-hair-loss/
What’s to know about alopecia areata?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/70956.php
