Hello Trea! I'm Laurel and I went through a lot of pharmaceuticals prior to Gabapentin/Neurontin. My Primary at the time said "okay, we're going to try this on you and if you come back and say you're still in pain I'll know you're just a pill popper"...true story.
Now she did give me Tramadol/Ultram to take with it and I'm pretty sure that was the pain killer and the Neurontin built up to help me later. I now take 800mgs. 4 x a day and extra if I need it.
Like others said, it took off the edge and did not make me drowsy...I wish. I was also on 2 different anti-depressants Prozac and Effexor...another of my primaries moves that my doctors of present shake their heads at along with the treatment I received while under her care...she liked her script pad, that's for sure! But she never believed me...I have the records to prove it!
Back on track here...I also suffer from Migraines/PDHS, and use an Imitrex Injection for that. I truly think what you're going through now is just the drug making a home in your system and the side effects you're suffering will subside but you have to keep it in you're system... but I do like that you are just doing one until you are over the side-effects and then introduce more...it probably won't affect you so bad when you increase...I hope, everyone's different.
I take Cymbalta as my anti-depressant/nerve sedative now along with a long list of others.
Sometimes it's hard to recognize whether drugs do any good or not because of the Fibro....It's one of the symptoms of Fibro I was told. It takes more of everything to touch our symptoms as nothing lasts as long, works as well for us. I have to tell the anesthesiologist to watch me during surgeries because I wake up...and talk...and tell them all about it afterwards....I remember...I told you to watch me!
So, when you see your doctor next, tell her exactly what your experience was (write it down as you go or the FOG will take it), how you took it, experimented with it on time of day, dosages, etc. And as was said, ask for another option for the days where you can't get away from the pain.
I think Neurontin is a good drug in the long run...it helps other meds be more effective I think. My doctors are always telling me to take more when/if I'm going to do something stressful on my body. But that's me, this is all me and everyone is different. Fibro requires a lot of therapy, all different kinds...and then takes away our ability to meet the requirements... we're left spinning in Pain, Doubt, and Fear.
So just keep this in mind while you're doing medication trials and give the meds a good 2 weeks to a month as a trial, unless you have allergic reactions....read all the paperwork that comes with your medications so that you know the possible side affects, etc. before you even take one.
I know it's really hard to do all this and work at a job too. Especially when you're still in a great deal of pain. Ibuprofen or Extra strength Tylenol can work in a pinch/along with Gabapentin. Most of your narcotic pain killers have one or the other in them in varying dose amts. I was doing this for a long time and sometimes still do sneak a does of motrin in with my pain med when I'm crossing the 1-10 pain scale. It works! For me...
You should sync your primary with your Rheumy as well so everyone is on the same page...I think that is very important.
I do hope I've been helpful here and not just gabby...lol!
Be sweet to yourself Trea and Welcome!
Always~Laurel aka Northwoods G-Ma