1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Gabapentin

Gabapentin

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jayne1234
Jayne1234

I have been on gapapentin for about 5 years. I have suffered from trigeminal neurpathic pain since a botch dental operation in 2003 and have tried a range of different medication that made me feel either spaced out, dizzy and sick or made no diference what so ever. Finally the pain clinic at Pontefract Hospital prescribed a combination of Gapapentin,  , citropram and pain relief, zomorph. I can honestly say that it has saved my life. The pain had been so unbearable  that I just couldn't see an end to it. 

I take from 600g  up to 2400g per day when the pain is at its worst. My memory has been affected but is no where near as bad as when on other similar medication. I do think its like anything else in that people react to it in different ways and if it doesn't suit change it. During the summer, the pain recedes and I have gone on for days without any gapapentin and have suffered no withdrawl effects at all. Although I am not pain free, and I know that is never going to happen, the gapapentin makes it bearable. 

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • lucy81308
    lucy81308 Jayne1234

    Posted

    Hi Jayne, (with heavy heart) I must say it's nice to come across a fellow sufferer. I too have "idiopathic facial pain" (most recent diagnostic name), or "atypical facial pain" or maybe it's "atypical odontalgia" Mine is middle brance, mainly left top molar region, (but it loves to wander), and began with a straight forward filling. I have had MRI and X-rays galore, been told it's all in my imagination, sent to pain management, oral surgery, and eventually, at my own insistence, attended the Eastman Dental Hospital, the only specialist facial pain dept. in the country. That was a big fat waste of time too, as they just gave it a new name, and a rough exam, with reduced me to several weeks of extremely enhanced pain.  I have had zero luck with amitriptyline, gabapentin or pregabalin. Months of slowly buillding, only to decide it wasn't going to do anything, followed by months of reducing, before trying something else.  I am always interested to hear of successful drug combinations. I wouldn't wish this hell on anyone. Sending best wishes for low pain days.xx
    • wanganui
      wanganui lucy81308

      Posted

      Hello Lucy,I too was "dismissed " by the Eastman Hospital .I was put on a medication combo that I had tried twice before and it hadn't worked...sooo frustrating as I had high hopes for the visit .I have an appointment at a pain clinic mid Feb .Meanwhile I am only on a very small dose of clonazepam at night which gives me four to five hours sleep.I have been on so many meds which have given me bad side effects,had acupuncture ,tried homeopathy all to no avail...but still live in hope.I have Trigeminal neuropathy.It amazes me how I/we get through the days whilst in so much pain! Anyway  here's to a good pain free Monday!
    • Jayne1234
      Jayne1234 lucy81308

      Posted

      Hi Lucy, Sad to say I  wasn't surprised at  the  hospital resonse you've received.On one of my pain hazed visits back to the oral surgery dept I was told by a registrar, the  very one who had begun the initial damage to my mouth( a local injection into my gum followed by 2 hours of himand later his superior yanking and hacking at my wisdom tooth before I finally called a halt and heard the comment, 'Oh she wont let us do anymore.' as if it was me being unreasonable!)- 'Well you must be feeling better today because you aren't crying!' was the helpful comment.

      Anyway enough of my rant- I still feel incredibly angry after all this time.

      Just to say, a really sympathetic nurse at Pontefract Pain Clinic suggested using Lignocaine Gel directly onto my gum around my affected bottom front teeth and down in the very bottom corner of my mouth. Now I must say, it doesnt help with the 'electric shocks' shooting across my now slightly out of line jaw(they damaged that too in a following operation), but combined with everything else it does offer some relief from the constant toothache/smacked in the teeth sorta feeling. May be worth a shot. I use heatbags as the temperature drop triggers a worsening of symptoms, too.

      Just dont give up hope, I know there are times when you've just had it. Dont let them poke about with your face-I eventually started refusing to let them touch me. As I couldnt really understand the need. 'Yes it really does hurt so back off!'

      I know there are more invasive procedures available, neural blocks for a start although of course you have to look at the risks.

      I really feel for you, Lucy. Its just so terrible but you are not alone and there is hope.Thinking of you

      Jayne x

       

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.