Jump to content
!! Advice given is in no way a substitute for consulting with a competent Veterans law firm, such as one on the NOVA advocate website !! ×
VA Disability Claims Community Forums - Hadit.com

  • veterans-crisis-line.jpg
    The Veterans Crisis Line can help even if you’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care.

    CHAT NOW

  • question-001.jpeg

    Have Questions? Get Answers.

    Tips on posting on the forums.

    1. Post a clear title like ‘Need help preparing PTSD claim’ or “VA med center won’t schedule my surgery” instead of ‘I have a question.
       
    2. Knowledgeable people who don’t have time to read all posts may skip yours if your need isn’t clear in the title.
      I don’t read all posts every login and will gravitate towards those I have more info on.
       
    3. Use paragraphs instead of one massive, rambling introduction or story.
       
      Again – You want to make it easy for others to help. If your question is buried in a monster paragraph, there are fewer who will investigate to dig it out.
     
    Leading too:

    exclamation-point.pngPost straightforward questions and then post background information.
     
     
    Examples:
     
    • Question A. I was previously denied for apnea – Should I refile a claim?
      • Adding Background information in your post will help members understand what information you are looking for so they can assist you in finding it.
    Rephrase the question: I was diagnosed with apnea in service and received a CPAP machine, but the claim was denied in 2008. Should I refile?
     
    • Question B. I may have PTSD- how can I be sure?
      • See how the details below give us a better understanding of what you’re claiming.
    Rephrase the question: I was involved in a traumatic incident on base in 1974 and have had nightmares ever since, but I did not go to mental health while enlisted. How can I get help?
     
    This gives members a starting point to ask clarifying questions like “Can you post the Reasons for Denial of your claim?”
     
    Note:
     
    • Your first posts on the board may be delayed before they appear as they are reviewed. This process does not take long.
    • Your first posts on the board may be delayed before they appear as they are reviewed. The review requirement will usually be removed by the 6th post. However, we reserve the right to keep anyone on moderator preview.
    • This process allows us to remove spam and other junk posts before hitting the board. We want to keep the focus on VA Claims, and this helps us do that.

  • Most Common VA Disabilities Claimed for Compensation:   

    tinnitus-005.pngptsd-005.pnglumbosacral-005.pngscars-005.pnglimitation-flexion-knee-005.pngdiabetes-005.pnglimitation-motion-ankle-005.pngparalysis-005.pngdegenerative-arthitis-spine-005.pngtbi-traumatic-brain-injury-005.png

  • VA Watchdog

  • Can a 100 percent Disabled Veteran Work and Earn an Income?

    employment 2.jpeg

    You’ve just been rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Affairs. After the excitement of finally having the rating you deserve wears off, you start asking questions. One of the first questions that you might ask is this: It’s a legitimate question – rare is the Veteran that finds themselves sitting on the couch eating bon-bons … Continue reading

HadIt.com Changes Ownership

Gabbapentin

notime362
 Share

Recommended Posts

notime362 Contributor

notime362

Posted
Posted

I have been diagnosed with PTSD by my VA Psych. As part of my pill regime. part of it includes taking 400mg of Gabbapentin 4 times daily. I initially started at 800mg, and worked my way up. I noticed my ankles began to slowly swell, and now I can baely recognize my left one at all. My VA doctor in Florida says it's a rare side effect, almost saying the pill isn't the cause. I had a sonar -things taken of my heart by my private Doctor, and all was well. She placed me on 25mg of Lasix to bring it down. Even when she doubled the dose, nothing doing. On my last blood test, my VA told me I was low on fluids. I hate to stop the pills, because my Psych

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 13
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

yoggie2 Mentor

yoggie2

Posted
Posted

I take 600mg of Gabbapentin 4 times daily for the burning feeling in my legs I get from server back problems. but man I never heard of the VA given it for Psych reasons.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites
-=ed Newbie

-=ed

Posted
Posted
I take 600mg of Gabbapentin 4 times daily for the burning feeling in my legs I get from server back problems. but man I never heard of the VA given it for Psych reasons.......

It's useful in some bi-polar patients

Had it for a couple of years, until something else came along

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • HadIt.com Elder
Pete53 Grand Master

Pete53

Posted
  • HadIt.com Elder
Posted

First of all you need to get to the bottom of what is causing the ankle swelling as it could very easily be something else that is a warning and needs to be checked into. The ankle swelling for me was fluid I needed to get rid of but of course take another pill to do that.

In 1992 Gabapentin was new in US just oked by FDA. It saved my life. For some silly reason a side effect is that it helps panic disorder and depression or almost any mood disorder. I learned about it on the internet. I asked the VA for it but I was only 30% Service Connected for flat feet and they refused cause it cost to much Finally in 1995 I was Service Connected 50% the magic number and I convinced a neurologist the only Doc at Dallas VA allowed to prescribe it I needed it for neuropathy.

When I started taking it not only did my pain and tingling moderate quite a bit my panic disorder stabilized and I was able to work on my claim. For me its a miracle drug that helps me with several problems, pain and panic. As a kicker if I get a sore throat I open a couple of pills mix it in orange juice and the sore throat does not hurt anymore. I am not a Doctor but I did look into it and used it as stated with good results for me. I also found out that it is a good med for older people as it does not get processed by liver but by kidneys.

My old DO used to tell me it was a miracle med when he wrote the prescription. At the VA now they dispense gabapentin to a lot of Veterans for different reasons including Yoggi's pain, my diabetes and even the Shrinks prescribe it also. What a versatile medication it is?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
notime362 Contributor

notime362

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Welcome.

Sounds like you might want to request another doctor's appointment.

jmho,

carlie

I have an appointment with my new VA Clinic , as I have moved to Alabama. That's first on my agenda is my swollen feet, as well as my appetite has gone out of control since I started. They have me on 1600mg of Gabbapentin and 50mg of Citalopram, along with other pills. I hope she can lead me back to a Psych to help me with my issues. Thanks...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ruby Experienced

ruby

Posted
Posted

I have major side effects with this drug too, I can only take 100mg at night without side effects, or if I have them I sleep through them. It has helped some of the buring pain in my feet.

I am told effexor has the same property of gabbenpentin maybe you can take that instead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
notime362 Contributor

notime362

Posted
  • Author
Posted
:huh: Went to my new clinic in Alabama. My MH Doctor could only adjust my Trazadone by upping to 150mg. She said only the Psych could touch the Gabbapentin and Citalopram. I see him in two weeks, as I can hardly wait too get my ankles and weight in control. Keep you posted, and Thanks all....
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 weeks later...
jackba57 Apprentice

jackba57

Posted
Posted

Wow, I take 600 mg twice a day at first and now 4 times a day. I can't even tell i have taken anything....I mean like ZERO affect at all. NOTHING, NADA, ZIP. Not relief, nothing bad, i mean no affect. stopped taking it after the first script ran out. Told the doc it did nothing.

jack

Link to comment
Share on other sites
yoggie2 Mentor

yoggie2

Posted
Posted
Wow, I take 600 mg twice a day at first and now 4 times a day. I can't even tell i have taken anything....I mean like ZERO affect at all. NOTHING, NADA, ZIP. Not relief, nothing bad, i mean no affect. stopped taking it after the first script ran out. Told the doc it did nothing.

jack

Jack, I am in the same boat and for almost 4 months and still have the pain still and I was wondering the same...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
notime362 Contributor

notime362

Posted
  • Author
Posted

:P I'm not saying it don't work, but the side effects are my concern. My left ankle is almost like a club-foot, and my weight has went from 225# to 285#. I finally get to see my new Psych in two weeks. I'm in transition, as I have moved from Florida to Alabama. My last Pschyc just avoided the side efeects, and kept raising my doses to keep me happy.

I know it works for me cause when I miss a dose or two I feel it.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jackba57 Apprentice

jackba57

Posted
Posted

Wow, i would be finding a doc somewhere that would be concerned over the wieght gain, what about hi BP, and diabetes that can come with a major wieght gain? I would be more afraid of the impending stroke than i would about being happy.

jack

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Guidelines and Terms of Use

  I accept