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Gabapentin dosage for trigeminal neuralgia?

Posted by pointeofview @pointeofview, Sep 14, 2021

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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willow5 | @willow5 | Jan 3 10:57am

Hi
My trigeminal neuralgia is controlled by a small amount of gaba at bedtime. I tried to wean off it, but as you know that trigeminal pain is awful! The neurologist, at some time, will talk me into the brain MRI and see what nerve it is being compressed. She said the procedure to fix it is very simple. I should do it, but being put all the way into the MRI is a horrible thought. If they can put me under, I’d do it. And I hear of a place north of me that has a day a week where folks are put under so have the MRIs for those of us claustrofobes. Wonder what I’m waiting for 😂

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bdobbins | @bdobbins | 3 days ago

Im sure this is an old post, but I am just stumbling onto it. Yes, I also take 1800 mg ER gabapentin daily and still have breakthrough pain. Why can’t the doctors understand the meds just DON’T work? I wish someone would come up with something that did.

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1 reply
bdobbins | @bdobbins | 3 days ago
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@speercntry I'm surprised you're having side effects on 200mg? I take 1,000 with no side effects...." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@speercntry
I'm surprised you're having side effects on 200mg? I take 1,000 with no side effects. Sure a difference in people's reactions to medication.
I wonder if 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg at night or the extended-release version would improve your symptoms. There have also been studies showing increased side effects with generic vs brand drugs. Time-release meds also are known to improve side effects.
If given some time your side effects may decrease in severity or possibly disappear altogether although this could take from weeks to months.
I would guess that switching back to gabapentin wouldn't be a good idea.
I would guess a better alternative would be to ask your doctor if Oxcarbazepine would be a good alternative since it's supposed to be as effective as carbamazepine with fewer side effects.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

Jump to this post

I had side effects on that small dose too. Had to go off the carbamazepine. Thought my stomach was being ripped out.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | 2 days ago
In reply to @bdobbins "Im sure this is an old post, but I am just stumbling onto it. Yes, I..." + (show)
@bdobbins

Im sure this is an old post, but I am just stumbling onto it. Yes, I also take 1800 mg ER gabapentin daily and still have breakthrough pain. Why can’t the doctors understand the meds just DON’T work? I wish someone would come up with something that did.

Jump to this post

Gabapentin is an effective medication for many patients dealing with neuropathy and focal seizures, but it's unfortunate that it didn't meet your expectations. I personally took the maximum dose of 3,600 mg, and it didn’t help with my neuropathy or seizures at all. On the other hand, my brother takes the same dosage and finds it very beneficial.

It's important to recognize that everyone's response to medications varies, and doctors often can’t predict the effectiveness of a specific drug. Have you considered alternatives like Lyrica or antidepressants and pain medications? They might work better for you.

Take care,
Jake

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bdobbins | @bdobbins | 2 days ago

Those alternatives were bad juju for me. 😵‍💫. Sadly, gabapentin is the only thing I’ve been in that has been remotely close to helping

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