1. < Brain & Nervous System

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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bbnyrse | @bbnyrse | Jul 4, 2023

I am in the process of being worked up for several things. Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 2 from Herpes Zoster seems to be the most probable. I started on a low dose of Tegretol and 1800 mg Gabapentin a day. I have a constant dull ache that differs in intensity radiating from my cheek bone to my temple and eye and down my neck. I'm finding to day that ice held on my shoulder so I'm icing my shoulder, neck and back of my ear is giving me the best relief. Does this sound Like TN type 2?

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heathertink1970 | @heathertink1970 | Jul 10, 2023

I take 900 mg 3x/day, but I think that dosage is dependent on several factors like male/female, weight, age, and how fast the medication runs through your system. I see that it's been a few months since this posted, have you talked with your neurologist and gotten help to control the pain? Hope so... best wishes!

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1 reply
debbie2721 | @debbie2721 | Aug 21, 2023
In reply to @speercntry "Thank you for your reply. I was taking 3,900 with no relief. I must be a..." + (show)
@speercntry

Thank you for your reply. I was taking 3,900 with no relief. I must be a sissy I went to the doctors Saturday morning and was prescribed carbamazepine 200mg. One tablet and I was able to eat and drink with very little pain. However I haven’t been able to get a hold of my primary doctor to find out if there are any side effects with otc vitamins.

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I read that the standard medicine for trideminal nuralgia is carbamazepine and is more effective then gabapentin

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1 reply
debbie2721 | @debbie2721 | Aug 22, 2023

I hope the medication continues to work with little or no other side effects.

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mpeters | @mpeters | Aug 23, 2023
In reply to @debbie2721 "I read that the standard medicine for trideminal nuralgia is carbamazepine and is more effective then..." + (show)
@debbie2721

I read that the standard medicine for trideminal nuralgia is carbamazepine and is more effective then gabapentin

Jump to this post

I had an adverse event with carbamazepine. I was in the hospital for four days, then went home with OT/PT and home health coming to my house for three weeks. I had asked for gabapentine but the doctor had other ideas. I plan to try acupuncture with my chiropractor.

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2 replies
jimliberty | @jimliberty | Aug 27, 2023

Only on 900 but have had horrible breakthrough pain and on this site to see what others are on since it takes several days to get an answer from my new neurologist.

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jimliberty | @jimliberty | Aug 27, 2023
In reply to @heathertink1970 "I take 900 mg 3x/day, but I think that dosage is dependent on several factors like..." + (show)
@heathertink1970

I take 900 mg 3x/day, but I think that dosage is dependent on several factors like male/female, weight, age, and how fast the medication runs through your system. I see that it's been a few months since this posted, have you talked with your neurologist and gotten help to control the pain? Hope so... best wishes!

Jump to this post

Thanks. I’m desperate for pain relief and plan to gradually - like tomorrow!!! - get to your dosage.

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bjansley1 | @bjansley1 | Aug 28, 2023

I have been on Gabapentin 300mg 6times a day with Elavil 25 mg in the morning then 50mg 12hr after morning dose(9am and 9pm). It has helped the pain a lot. Only have infrequent mild shooting pain a couple of times a week. I had my surgery (craniotomy) almost 3years ago for meningoma which damaged my trigeminal nerve. Still have no feeling of most of my right side of face and mouth. Have a sensation of swelling of mouth/face on right side most of the time of varying degrees.

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1 reply
debbie2721 | @debbie2721 | Aug 28, 2023
In reply to @mpeters "I had an adverse event with carbamazepine. I was in the hospital for four days, then..." + (show)
@mpeters

I had an adverse event with carbamazepine. I was in the hospital for four days, then went home with OT/PT and home health coming to my house for three weeks. I had asked for gabapentine but the doctor had other ideas. I plan to try acupuncture with my chiropractor.

Jump to this post

Interesting, I hope it works.

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2 replies
debbie2721 | @debbie2721 | Aug 29, 2023
In reply to @bjansley1 "I have been on Gabapentin 300mg 6times a day with Elavil 25 mg in the morning..." + (show)
@bjansley1

I have been on Gabapentin 300mg 6times a day with Elavil 25 mg in the morning then 50mg 12hr after morning dose(9am and 9pm). It has helped the pain a lot. Only have infrequent mild shooting pain a couple of times a week. I had my surgery (craniotomy) almost 3years ago for meningoma which damaged my trigeminal nerve. Still have no feeling of most of my right side of face and mouth. Have a sensation of swelling of mouth/face on right side most of the time of varying degrees.

Jump to this post

I hope your condition improves.

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