Better living through chemistry

Perhaps it is the prescription drug that is fogging my mind but I had forgotten that the phrase “Better Living Through Chemistry” actually paraphrased the slogan Dow Chemical used for many years: “Better Things for Better Living…Through Chemistry.” Either way the better living part all depends on how that chemistry is used. At the moment,  the chemistry in my brain that I am using as the doctor told me to has left me a bit on the wobbly side.

I was prescribed the drug gabapentin, commonly known as Neurontin, yesterday for what my doctor suspects as some kind of neuropathy, or nerve pain that has been causing both of my feet to hurt and become numb after what I think is limited use. I will have some tests to find out for sure if neuropathy is what I’ve got, I’ve got, I’ve got. Sorry I was thinking about a song. I’ve lost my train of thought. The train has left the station. Anyway, the point I am trying to make — so poorly — is that right now, clarity is not exactly my middle name. Of course, it never was.

Nevertheless, whatever  you do when you get prescribed a drug, don’t read about it. It will scare the living hell out of you. This one I am taking has a whole  host of possible side effects short of a condition known as hot dog finger. The most disturbing is this warning issued by the FDA for this entire class of drugs which were originally used in treating epilepsy. The notice, which warns of an increased risk of suicidal behavior,  kind of makes my cottonmouth and however you describe how I am feeling look insignificant.

And my toes still hurt. It’s time for flip flops.