Trigeminal Neuralgia*
My 92 year old father was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia more than a decade ago. For a long time Amitriptyline kept the 'strikes' at bay. He became symptomatic again last October. In March they did a Gamma Knife radiation treatment. This halted his symptoms for about 6 weeks. Two weeks ago he started having daily 'strikes' again. His PCP switched him from Amitriptyline to Lyrica. Now that he is weaned completely off the Amitriptyline and on the full dose of Lyrica he is having 'strikes' several times a day. The local neurosurgeons won't consider surgery, but we are desperate. Any insights at all on any therapeutic modalities would be appreciated. Acupuncture was not effective.
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I am so glad you are pain free.
For a few years now, on and off, I've had horrible nerve pain that shoots from my ear to my neck or scalp! Its like an electric shock, and no one understands!I have noticed it mostly happens when I'm out in the wind. I wonder if gabapentin would help?
It helped me some, when it's windy and cold it seems the pain is worse. I also take dilantin.
Still have frequent bouts of pain.
I am sorry, I feel bad for anyone who has to endure this!
Welcome to Connect, @suzeee39,
That sound so painful! We have a lot of members who've shared their experiences with Gabapentin, especially for chronic pain. From reading the posts on Connect, with regard to gabapentin, it seems to vary greatly from member to member and is really based on the individual. Here are a few discussion you may wish to view:
– Gabapentin https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gabapenten/
– Gabapentin use for neuropathy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gabapentin-use-for-neuropathy/
@suzeee39, may I ask if you would share a few more details about your health? Have you tried other treatments or medications to get relief?
What is this non invasive procedure that you mentioned?
I also have fibromyalgia, and was given gabapentin for nerve pain. I haven't tried it yet, because I am very sensitive to meds! But, this shooting pain is unbelievable! I'm not that old, and feel like I have no life!
Pain changes everything, I fight it daily.
It sure does!
Teresa I hope not. I will be seeing the surgeon end of Jan and will address that question. I am feeling little better every day, sometimes you don't notice the change , but by the end of the week you can make the comparison.I hope this little comic relief I said to my family you can take on a lighter note. As you know this effects majority of women, so I tell my family I must be coming out of the closet.lol