Hello and I'm sorry you've found so little help with the flares! My dosage of gabapentin is 1200 mg daily and I've never had any problems with side effects, other than sleepiness, but even that regulated pretty soon once I became used to the medication. Much better results with the pain without the dreadful side effects I had with Cymbalta. I'd say it cuts my pain on most days by about 75% but not always, especially during the Minnesota winter. But I've talked to plenty of people who had very little luck with gabapentin so if it doesn't work it would be one more disappointment for you to have to contend with, but I guess how do we know until we try. Oh, and the gabapentin really helped me to sleep better too, as I see you've mentioned sleep. What was your pain specialist willing to do for you to help address your pain?