Gabapentin dosage for trigeminal neuralgia?
I am currently on 1800 mg/day of gabapentin, but am still having a fair amount of pain. On a scale of 1 to 10, the background level is about a 2 with occasional flares to a level of 5 or 6.
Does anyone have luck with gabapentin, and if so, what dosages?
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Hi everyone. I have MS and Trigemenal Neuralgia and have taken Gabapentin for both. Now I’m on a relatively lose dose of 300 and both my GP and Neurologist have told me to maintain this dosage even though my Trigemenal pain is non existent - i. e., 0, as I write now. I’ve accepted as I don’t feel adversely from this dosage. (Had gamma knife surgery 6 months ago and no pain sense then. Frightfully had MVD surgery 5 years prior that worked for many years until it didn’t.) For now, I hope Gabapentin keeps the pain at bay!
I take gabapentin for my Trigeminal Neuralgia...
Glad to have found this community. One can feel very isolated with TN because many people have never even heard of it. - In my case, 1800 a day also feels helpful but not quite enough. I am talking to my neurologist tomorrow who wants me to switch to Trileptal. Only the risk for Stephen Johnson Syndrome really scares me, so I'm reluctant.
I have had TN 1 V1 twice. Once six years ago for seven months and then recently for two months. I can't take gabapentin or most of the anti seizure medications because of side affects. I have fear of falling. It might be ok if I was bedridden. I noticed that the excruciating shocks were caused by something I did such as touching my face, showering, shaving, etc, if I wasn't careful. I stopped TN by very carefully avoiding triggers for a period of eight days. This was by no means easy but the TN went away. I think it gave time for the nerve to heal. It's worth a try as this orphan decease caused the most pain I have ever had.
I hope so for you too. may I ask, what is MVD surgery? Do you mean vascular decompression?
This started 3 years ago. Headaches, and shoulder pain, then "hot feet and ankles". That July I attempted suicide to end the pain. (idiopathic) Peripheral Neuropathy. Now after being on 1800mg of Gabapentin per day, I have survived, until recently. A new cervical spine MRI shows problems with C3-C4 vertebrae. The Dermatome involving the ear and sinus nerves. I am just now hopefully, close to knowing where the pain is coming from. I meet with a Spine surgeon Jan. 14th to discuss why my pain has increased so much.
I know I can see if increasing the Gabapentin will help, but I don't want to go up any higher because of potential side effects, and possible withdrawals. My pain level is 2-3 until the 2 hour flares that are 7-8. Gummies might be helping a little, THC micro dosing. Cold water in my face feels great. 🙂 I am 72, so I expect stuff to stop working so well. I am starting to feel like our old tractor ( farmer ), I watched over the years fall apart and my body feels like that old tractor. Soon there will be too much for it to survive, and death will come. I have no idea how that will go, unless I decide to take it into my own hands.
Yeah, I’m with you, 66yo 1800 mg GP for years with small fiber neuropathy. My pain is exactly yours, might up to 2700 shortly, those bursts of pain are pretty awful.
I replaced my tractor though.
Bilateral 8.5 yo knee replacements are failing due to overuse (just bicycling, some hiking)
I’m thinking you’d have “put me down” years ago on the farm🤣.
I’m hoping there are the great meals, a beer or two or coffee with buddies at the local store that make it all worth while, desire the pain.
Best wishes anyhow from rural Maine
Despite rather than desire
I take 600 mg/day with good results. I have been diagnosed with ideopathic TN and think stress brings on outbreaks. When I have an outbreak I up to 900 mg/day with good results then cut back once "shocks" subside.
My neurologist does not want me to go off gabapentin. Even if I'm doing good. Been dealing with this for 2 1/2 years. 70 years old and choosing to say I'm doing good. Fingers crossed.
I HAVE HAD TN FOR 3 YEARS. I HAD SHINGLES AND IT LEFT ME WITH TN. I HAVE HAD JUST ABOUT EVERY TREAIT THERE IS. YESTERDAY I HAD PROLOTHERAPY. IT DID NOTHING TO EASE MY PAIN. THIS WAS THE LAST OUTPATIENT THERAPY I WILL HAVE BEFORE I HAVE AN OPERATION. THE OPERATION IS CALLED DREZ WHICH STANDS FOR SOMETHING I CANT REMEMBER. IT IS INVASIVE, GOING INTO MY BRAIN AND CAUTERIZING PARTS OF THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE. IT IS MY LAST RESORT. I JUST CANT LIVE WITH THIS PAIN ANY LONGER.
I TAKE DULOXETINE, GRABAPENTIN, AND OXYCONTIN FOR PAIN. I ALSO HAVE A LOTION MADE OF LIDOCAINE, KETAMINE, AND IBUPROPHEN TO APPLY TO PARTS OF MY FACE WHEN THE PAIN GETS TOO MUCH. I HAVE HAD 2 NERVE BLOCKS WHICH DID NOT HELP. TN IS A HORRIBLE DISEASE WHICH NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT, AND DOESNT UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU TRY TO EXPLAIN THE PAIN YOU HAVE. I HOPE YOU GET RELIEF FROM SOMETHING SOON. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING ANYONE SUGGESTED. KEEP TRYING AND BLESS YOU. SUSAN LURDING