Gabapentin GPO 300mg

[Golden Triangle]

Hi, I would like some info on the uses of this drug, my Mrs brother, 47 years of age, has been suffering with quite significant muscle weakness, and also from what I saw over the last couple of days muscle tremor, so a bit like atrophy & wastage with no power in his arms or legs. 

 

The family grow Longon, Lamyai & a few other fruits on a commercial basis, as we know the use of pesticides etc in Thailand is pretty rampant and unregulated, they spray the trees regularly to keep the bugs away, of course my first thought was what sort of protective equipment (masks, goggles, gloves etc) do they use ? I was told that they have the protection and wear it.

 

So, having googled the drug it appears to be mainly an anti epileptic drug !! He has an appointment for sometime next month to see a specialist (in what I don't know, or where) but I am suspicious of the pesticides & fertilizers that they use and wonder if this could be the onset of something more sinister, I have pics on my phone of the medication he is currently taking if that would be of help.

 

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.  

[samuttodd]

I'd be concerned about the pesticides too,  some of that stuff can cause major neurological issues.

 

Gabapentin helps a lot of folks with neuropathic pain,   without the same painkiller issues you might have with opiates.  My buddy back home has an essential tremor from pesticides.  

Edited May 24, 2019 by samuttodd
yes

[Golden Triangle]

2 minutes ago, samuttodd said:

I'd be concerned about the pesticides too,  some of that stuff can cause major neurological issues.

 

Gabapentin helps a lot of folks with neuropathic pain,  fibro myalgia type stuff without the same painkiller issues you might have with opiates.  My buddy back home has an essential tremor from pesticides.  

Thanks for that, anything else I should be looking for ? physical things like urine, whites of eyes, whatever I don't know, I'm not about to tell the Mrs or him he's f***"d but just wanna be prepared with what the " Specialist" might be looking at next month. Ta.

 

[samuttodd]

I'd defer to a medical specialist. If he's developed tremors and is having  muscle weakness suddenly,  there could be all kinds of things that come into play.   For sure let the specialist know about the symptoms and the pesticide exposure possibility.    Maybe get a basic blood/urine panel to get started and see a general doctor.    He may want to see a neurologist if the regular dr can't figure it out. 

[Golden Triangle]

39 minutes ago, samuttodd said:

I'd defer to a medical specialist. If he's developed tremors and is having  muscle weakness suddenly,  there could be all kinds of things that come into play.   For sure let the specialist know about the symptoms and the pesticide exposure possibility.    Maybe get a basic blood/urine panel to get started and see a general doctor.    He may want to see a neurologist if the regular dr can't figure it out. 

Appreciate your help, I did ask the Mrs if the Dr was aware of his (for want of a better word) profession, and had they taken into account the use of pesticides & herbicides and that was confirmed, I fear for the long term health of many farmers here, he is after all just another farmer who along with his family is trying to extract a living from the land, they say that Thai fruit & veg is laden with poison, what about the poor sods that have been growing it ?? 

 

Thanks for the info, I'll wait until he's seen the specialist next month and see what comes from that. Not that I can do much anyway, I'm curious to know what brought this on, and to be honest I don't see any long term relief.  

[madmen]

Gabba wont help unless he is in pain or having seizures. It doesn't stop tremors or muscle weakness. Why isnt he not being treated in hospital asap?

Edited May 24, 2019 by madmen

[Golden Triangle]

1 hour ago, madmen said:

Gabba wont help unless he is in pain or having seizures. It doesn't stop tremors or muscle weakness. Why isnt he not being treated in hospital asap?

For a number of reasons I think.

 

1. He's a poor Thai fruit grower.

 

2. He knows no better.

 

3. The Thai health system is at breaking point.

 

4. The first Dr he has seen has no idea. Hence the "Specialist" next month.

 

He hasn't said that he in pain, just no power in any limbs. And when I saw him earlier today I got the impression of reduced muscle power, his parents are both in their 70's and the Mrs said today on the way home that if it doesn't improve they may have to sell the farm (Orchards) as he is the only one fit enough (or was) to do the heavy work, the other son and his wife are both school teachers. 

Edited May 24, 2019 by Golden Triangle
spelling :)

[Sheryl]

He needs to be seen by a neurologist specisluzing in neuromuscular issues/movement disorders and that is probably what is scheduled.

 

There are many possibilities including early onset Parkinsons Disease which is unusually common in Thailand and thought possibly linked to pesticide exposure.

 

Gabspentin is used for neuropathic pain, seizures and other conditions where there is a problem with transmission of nerve signals. Its use in this case is not unusual (though may stop once cause is diagnosed) and nothing I would be concerned about.

 

The Thai government health care system does work but it takes time with a comparatively rare and specialized condition like this. A poor farmer in my village had exactly the same thing and it took several months before they got a handle on it, but they did.

 

As long as he is being referred up the line to specialists I would not be too alarmed. Occupying a hospital bed vs. being an outpatient is not going to make a difference at this stage. If there is a sudden dramatic worsening or onset of any trouble breathing should rush him to hospital, otherwise continue with the prescribed consultations.

 

It is unfoftunately likely that this will turn out to be a chronic disease (Parkinsons or other) that has no cure though some symptomatic improvement might be possible with medication.

 

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[Scott]

Post reported and removed.

[Golden Triangle]

On 5/25/2019 at 10:49 AM, Sheryl said:

He needs to be seen by a neurologist specisluzing in neuromuscular issues/movement disorders and that is probably what is scheduled.

 

There are many possibilities including early onset Parkinsons Disease which is unusually common in Thailand and thought possibly linked to pesticide exposure.

 

Gabspentin is used for neuropathic pain, seizures and other conditions where there is a problem with transmission of nerve signals. Its use in this case is not unusual (though may stop once cause is diagnosed) and nothing I would be concerned about.

 

The Thai government health care system does work but it takes time with a comparatively rare and specialized condition like this. A poor farmer in my village had exactly the same thing and it took several months before they got a handle on it, but they did.

 

As long as he is being referred up the line to specialists I would not be too alarmed. Occupying a hospital bed vs. being an outpatient is not going to make a difference at this stage. If there is a sudden dramatic worsening or onset of any trouble breathing should rush him to hospital, otherwise continue with the prescribed consultations.

 

It is unfoftunately likely that this will turn out to be a chronic disease (Parkinsons or other) that has no cure though some symptomatic improvement might be possible with medication.

 

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Just a quick update, he went to see the specialist in late June, they did the bloods and other tests, all came back with no result, he was referred to another specialist in a different hospital, all tests came back negative again, sent ho e with no medication, that's fair enough and told to do gentle exercises like lifting small weights etc, I still am of the opinion that a lifetime of exposure to nasty pesticides and insecticides may have taken its toll.

 

PS. Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.

Edited September 30, 2019 by Golden Triangle
Forgot to say thanks

[Sheryl]

If it is early Parkinsons there is no definitive test. Diagnosis is made based on clinical signs and exclusion of other causes. In the early stages, the clinical picture may be inconclusive. But if it is Parkinsons the disease is progressive and diagnosis will eventually be apparent.

I can suggest the best specialists for this, but would entail a lot of time and trouble (trips to Bangkok etc) and there is little or no advantage to making the diagnosis now vs. later on. Since it sounds like treatable causes have been exluded probably best to just wait and see for now. But if the family wants to pursue it let me know.


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[cheeryble]

I was going to suggest the finger tapping test for Parkinson’s or similar, tapping the middle finger and thumb together as Fast as possible and comparing left and right sides. I can tell you it is very noticeable on the 'bad' side.
I kept my silence as a full exam is best and to see what Sheryl said.
I would hope that one of the specialists was a neurologist......do u know this? One would also wonder what the blood tests were to see what’s been excluded from diagnosis. Do you know?



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[Golden Triangle]

7 minutes ago, cheeryble said:

I was going to suggest the finger tapping test for Parkinson’s or similar, tapping the middle finger and thumb together as Fast as possible and comparing left and right sides. I can tell you it is very noticeable on the 'bad' side.
I kept my silence as a full exam is best and to see what Sheryl said.
I would hope that one of the specialists was a neurologist......do u know this? One would also wonder what the blood tests were to see what’s been excluded from diagnosis. Do you know?



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Thanks for your input, I haven't seen him for a while as my Mrs has been busy with her mother at hospital in BKK so no time to visit the family, as to your questions, I don't know is the honest answer to both of them, I won't see him for a while either as the Mrs is off on some sort of pilgrimage with other family members very soon, but when I do see him I will try the thumb - finger test on him.

 

My mother had Parkinson's so I know what it looks like and how debilitating it is, she went from an active outgoing and busy world traveller to a hermit in next to no time, very sad to see. ????  

[Lefty]

On 5/24/2019 at 8:57 PM, samuttodd said:

I'd be concerned about the pesticides too,  some of that stuff can cause major neurological issues.

 

Gabapentin helps a lot of folks with neuropathic pain,   without the same painkiller issues you might have with opiates.  My buddy back home has an essential tremor from pesticides.  

I use it for nerve pain in my hand.

Lefty

[cheeryble]

Thanks for your input, I haven't seen him for a while as my Mrs has been busy with her mother at hospital in BKK so no time to visit the family, as to your questions, I don't know is the honest answer to both of them, I won't see him for a while either as the Mrs is off on some sort of pilgrimage with other family members very soon, but when I do see him I will try the thumb - finger test on him.
 
My mother had Parkinson's so I know what it looks like and how debilitating it is, she went from an active outgoing and busy world traveller to a hermit in next to no time, very sad to see. [emoji20]  

Parky’s symptoms can vary a lot.
But I just mentioned the tapping test because it’s so easy, he needs a proper check up


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