Three years after having an endovenous laser ablation procedure that left my lower leg tingling, I have decided to take Neurontin 100mg 3 /day. It's been 4 days now with no change! Is it normal? I know I can ask my doctor, but I just want your opinion. Thank you.
If your left lower leg is tingling and it started after your endovenous laser treatment, it probably resulted from the laser procedure damaging either your saphenous nerve or sural nerve (depending on whether your doc lasered your great saphenous vein or your small saphenous vein). Because the laser procedure probably burned the nerve, the neurotin probably will not work.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It is normal to have some kind of nerve irritation or damage but I would say it is a little unusual to have such strong symptoms persist for that long. Usually people find relief from their symptoms 6months to 1 year after the procedure if there was nerve damage, but sometimes the damage is extensive and does not always heal. I would recommend a follow-up with the physician who treated you, and possibly an appointment with a neurologist. Your physician or any you see for varicose vein treatment should be board certified.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You may need a higher dose.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
That is a very low dose of Neurontin so I would not expect for that to have much effect on your symptoms. I would recommend you follow up with your doctor to at least discuss your dose.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Sounds like nerve damage from the procedure. I'd get an opinion from a board-certified vascular surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Drugs like Neurontin may take months to take complete effect. Nerves can regenerate, but very slowly. It could be due to another origin, like neuropraxia or degenerative disc problems. So, see a neurologist if results are not forthcoming. Also, discuss this matter with your prescribing physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You really should not have lower leg tingling due to treatment. I agree you need to see your physician.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Neuropathy, while not common, can be a minor complication of EVLA and radiofrequency ablation. It usually resolves within a year's time; however, there are exceptional cases and it would appear that yours might possibly be one of those. We encourage our patients who experience neuropathy or paraesthesia post-operatively to apply low heat to the area and do gentle foot pump exercises. If you have not done this already, you might want to consider it. As for your taking Neurontin, it is a drug that was originally developed as an anti-seizure medication. It was only later that it received FDA approval for use as a medication to treat neuropathic pain. In your question, you do not state where you obtained the Neurontin, or even if it was prescribed to you for your pain. If it was prescribed for the neuropathy that you are experiencing, then the medical professional who prescribed it probably (or should have) told you that it can take up to two weeks for Neurontin to become therapeutic.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Neurontin is sometimes given in doses of 1800 mgm/day. The dosage you are taking (300 mgm/day) is very small. I hope that this medication works but you have three factors working against you: First of all, it's been three years since your procedure; secondly, you are on a very small dose; and thirdly, it may take up to six weeks to see a result so four days is much too early.
Published on Jul 11, 2012