Can Gabapentin make neuropathy pain worse?

@dorisena It sounds to me like the trigeminal neuropathy might be a nerve entrapment or physical issue if you can ease it by massaging your face. That can be caused by a misalignment of the jaw, neck and skull. You might want to look at our discussion of Myofascial Release and all the issues it can treat that are caused by tight fascial tissues that prevent normal physical functions. I was wondering if you have tried physical therapy? I think an expert level in MFR therapist might be able to help you. It helps me a lot. It might be what you need to take back control of your future and there is a lot you can do to help yourself. Back surgery would also create internal fascial scar tissue which can cause these restrictions and MFR can help that. I am a cervical spine surgery patient. Here is the discussion.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
Here is a physical therapy article that talks about trigeminal neuralgia and jaw dysfunction.
https://mskneurology.com/true-cause-solution-temporomandibular-dysfunction-tmd/

I was recently diagnosed with shingles. Unfortunately I don't feel that UPMC Presby properly diagnosed and cared for me. It attacked several dermatomes of my head. Started in my mouth as blisters, rash on face (which never developed into blisters), ear, scalp, lymph node felt enlarged, throat felt pain and neck pain. Long story short, I was in isolation for 4 days. When I was released I was released on a prescription of Gabapentin 100mg 3 times per day. I was still in constant pain good night dear so I went to the emergency room the increase Gabapentin to 300. Still pain no relief. I went to my PCP increase my Gabapentin to 400 three to four times a day still no relief. It is 6 a.m. and I just took my 4:30 dose of Gabapentin and I'm still in pain. When I woke up at 4:30 a.m. I felt pretty good however after taking the gabatin, within one hour the pain starts and within two hours by left face is numb and the pain is still there. I feel that I should completely stop the Gabapentin see how my body reacts hopefully the pain will go away on its own. I do not understand why the left side of my face, within 2 hours of taking a dose, goes numb and the pain does not subside.

I was recently diagnosed with shingles. Unfortunately I don't feel that UPMC Presby properly diagnosed and cared for me. It attacked several dermatomes of my head. Started in my mouth as blisters, rash on face (which never developed into blisters), ear, scalp, lymph node felt enlarged, throat felt pain and neck pain. Long story short, I was in isolation for 4 days. When I was released I was released on a prescription of Gabapentin 100mg 3 times per day. I was still in constant pain good night dear so I went to the emergency room the increase Gabapentin to 300. Still pain no relief. I went to my PCP increase my Gabapentin to 400 three to four times a day still no relief. It is 6 a.m. and I just took my 4:30 dose of Gabapentin and I'm still in pain. When I woke up at 4:30 a.m. I felt pretty good however after taking the gabatin, within one hour the pain starts and within two hours by left face is numb and the pain is still there. I feel that I should completely stop the Gabapentin see how my body reacts hopefully the pain will go away on its own. I do not understand why the left side of my face, within 2 hours of taking a dose, goes numb and the pain does not subside.

Lisa,

For myself Gabapentin made my PN worse and made my arms jump and twitch basically controllable, as soon as I quite taking it that was gone.

I can see where some people would benefit from Gabapentin or Pregablin (Lyrica types), but it is not for me.

I do feel that Pharma and the medical community really needs to look at less use of single molecule (man made) internal drug therapy of treating PN, as people are getting tired of treating only symptoms of PN. It maybe that possibly incorporating some of the eastern primary as an more interrogative approach maybe a benefit. Less Opiates (new FDA rules) is good, but at least give us a quality replacement for PN. PN is within the reachable sub-dermal regions even in the feet (dead skin layers) therefore a topical pain relief treatment approach should be very beneficial for people with PN, at least that is my view after living with PN for ~15 years.

Off my soap box, the answer for myself is Gabapentin and Pregablin (Lyrica) simply made things far worse, as it seem to affect the whole CNS and not the PN issue.

Yes, I have taken turmeric for a long time but recently within last few weeks increased dosage to 8-10 pills a day once I stopped gabapentin. It find it helps. I do take CBD oil, lipoid acid, vitamin b12 omegas but aside from metformin and insulin I gave up on all prescription drugs as I just can’t see the difference in pain relief not to mention the unpleasant side effects so I’m all in with turmeric, but maybe it’s the placebo effect ha ha but seriously you can’t take too much so give it a try and take a lot you may find some relief. Please let me know as well. Take care

@ecc79
Hello,
Yes, Gabapentin can cause shaking in some people. I’m not surprised that it made you sleepy being an anti-convulsant. Many if not all seizure meds cause drowsiness. I don’t know anything about your sensitivity to light as related to gabapentin though.
I do have a question for you, what do you think of metformin? Does it concern you that it can cause poisoning, death and serious complications? Admittedly these are all rare but still possible.
It was my understanding that insulin shouldn’t be taken with metformin? I must be wrong since obviously your doctor or pharmacist haven’t mentioned it. I only mention that because I have a friend whose doctor had him on both and them when he switched doctors, his new doctor told him that “you should never take those two medications together” so I was just curious.
Take care,
Jake

Obviously every case is different, but in mine I take 2700 mg a day. Alot I know, but before it my episodes would last an hour or so, it was brutal. Now, I still get my episodes but they last maybe 10 minutes to 15 minutes max. I don't like being on it, but my neurologist at the Mayo assures me it is ok. I always looking for other options, but no luck so far. Maybe an increase would help, as for me I would say taking it has not increased my pain, but has been a help in reducing episode length. Good luck to you, I hope you find some answers.