Hi I am having a bad flare up I normally take Gabapentin 400mg 3 X day it normally works at keeping the pain away. I also have 100 MG gabapenin that I have added talking 100mg of gabapentin 3 tX daily in between the normal dosage of Gabapentin 400mg 3 x day Still not working having hard time eating drinking taking the usual stuff with flare ups. Does anyone have any sugesstions is there something else I could take durring flare up times in addition to my gabapentin to help.
The doasage I have been on Gabapentin does not cause to many side affects I really do not want to increase gabapentin dosage higher all the time maybe just during flareup or adding another med to my normal Gabapentin dosage during a flare up
So how high should I increase my gabapentin or what other drug will help ????????????
I have 300mg 100mg and 400mg gabapentin on hand.
THANK YOU AND HOPE YOU ALL ARE HAVE A PAIN FREE DAY.
Hi. I am sorry you are feeling so crappy. I am in the same boat right now and one of the worst flares I have had in quite awhile. I think the heat had been a huge factor as well as just the constant noise and activity around here. I have 4 little kids and noise level has gone up quite a bit more since summer break. Anyway, I feel at a loss since my doctor just retired and I am working with another that had never heard of TN so I am going to see another next week to see if she will take my case. I have been taking gabapentin since 2010. I used to be 600mg pills up to 8 per day. I was able to drop to about 1800mg per day with 4 hydrocodone and 2 Valium. This combination was working quite well but I tried to cut out the hydrocodone 3 weeks ago and have had a major set back. I research in all my spare time and 1 thing I did just learn is that the combination of hyrocodone with gabapentin boosts the effect of gabapentin and lowers the effect of pain pills. So I suppose that is what was helping me since that’s all I changed so I am back on hydrocodone up to 4 per day along with 4-5 gabapentin with the hopes I can lower gab to 2-3. I don’t get much silence or rest so I need to focus on that more. Have you found any other options to help the flare up? It is very frustrating to say the least !! I hope you can find relief and a dr who actually cares. That is what I am struggling with right now. Hope to hear updates on how you are feeling.
So sorry to hear of your increase in pain.
No one on site here is qualified to tell you how to increase your med.
You need to call your doctor or Neuro and tell them your in a pain crisis and request immediate assistance!!
Just like there are no two cases of TN exactly alike so too are there NO two people who will respond to the same meds and doses etc. that’s why it’s imperative you speak to a medical professional.
Each time I saw my Neurologist I would ask for a plan on how to increase my meds should my pain increase. This way I didn’t have to play phone tag with his office. And I could start right away, as most of the meds we take for tn can take a few days to build up in our system each increase.
Have you ever tried a lidocaine mix cream? I’ve used one called Emla, you just apply the cream to your face, jaw line, wherever your pain is and it actually numbs the area for a time to give you a break from the pain. I also frequently ( more like ALL the time) used a microwaveable heating pad which really helped take the edge off.
I hope you’re able to find pain relief soon. (( hugs )) Mimi
Where did you find that information about the hydrocodone and gabapentin I would like to show that to my doctor I am also sorry about you not feeling so good either It is hot hear too I am in AZ where are you at
Katie said:
Hi. I am sorry you are feeling so crappy. I am in the same boat right now and one of the worst flares I have had in quite awhile. I think the heat had been a huge factor as well as just the constant noise and activity around here. I have 4 little kids and noise level has gone up quite a bit more since summer break. Anyway, I feel at a loss since my doctor just retired and I am working with another that had never heard of TN so I am going to see another next week to see if she will take my case. I have been taking gabapentin since 2010. I used to be 600mg pills up to 8 per day. I was able to drop to about 1800mg per day with 4 hydrocodone and 2 Valium. This combination was working quite well but I tried to cut out the hydrocodone 3 weeks ago and have had a major set back. I research in all my spare time and 1 thing I did just learn is that the combination of hyrocodone with gabapentin boosts the effect of gabapentin and lowers the effect of pain pills. So I suppose that is what was helping me since that's all I changed so I am back on hydrocodone up to 4 per day along with 4-5 gabapentin with the hopes I can lower gab to 2-3. I don't get much silence or rest so I need to focus on that more. Have you found any other options to help the flare up? It is very frustrating to say the least !! I hope you can find relief and a dr who actually cares. That is what I am struggling with right now. Hope to hear updates on how you are feeling.
I will look through my research here and see if I can get you the link or website so you can read it. I am in North Dakota and it has been in the 90’s here but I couldn’t imagine the heat in Arizona!!! I am so sorry you have the pain too. It is so hard to describe especially to someone who has never experienced it or even heard of it. I am so glad I have found a group of people to be my support. Thanks to all of you!! And let me see where that info is.
Here is one website that confirms it however I am quite sure I found it on a few others. I hope this works, otherwise let me know your email and I will send the link to you. Also check on yahoo or google for “gabapentin used with hydrocone” for more info.
Hello. I go to the Cleveland Clinic and they put me on a newer combination of meds. I take 450 ml of trileptle and 150 mo of Limictal twice a day. Also 60 ml of Cymbalta once a day.
Does that combination make you feel better and what are you side effects from that combination? I was on cymbalta for some time but I was so tired and sweaty it just didn’t work for me side effect way but it did help the pain.
I have also been put on a newer pain med called Exalgo. This is a time released med that I take once a day. I am also on Percocet as needed. I have ATN in all three branches. Have already had MVD and 2 Radiofrequency Rhizolysis . I have permanent nerve damage from the first diagnosis in 2010. These meds did seem to help some. The best thing was the Radiofrequency surgery in May and June. I am totally nuke in V2 and V3 now. It’s helped immensely.
I just had the Radiofrequency Rhizolysis in May and June. That has been the most relief in a year. However the combination of the meds do help basically take the edge off and made me have fewer attacks. I’m not sure what type you have. I have been on every other med available and this combo seems to work the best for me. I am on the highest doses. There Re side effects … Tiredness…dizziness…loss of appetite. But you might want to talk to your neurologist. If your like me its worth a shot. I’m sure you will try anything even if it makes a small difference
Thank you everyone the doctor increased my gabapentin to 500mg 4 times a day I just started this afternoon but I did find some old hydrocodone in my cabinet I took one tonight and I have been able to eat and drink with moderate pain better than extermeand it helped to keep me at moderate pain for about 4 hours YAY I asked the doctor to perscribe me some but he said no I will ask him again I have an appointment on tuesday If he just perscribe me enough to take at least 1 a day so I could eat and drink with out exterme pain Until this flare up subsides or the increase in meds works Thank you all and God Bless You
TELL the doctor you will be needing prescription Lidoderm patches for your face, or lidocaine cream, or both, as well as lidocaine mouthwash if inside mouth pain… These help to eat, sleep, AND able to keep med doses down…better for all those crappy side effects to be LESS! . Don’t even need appt…they can just magically call it in…not a narcotic.
If not , ask your GP or dentist and fire that doctor. If you need damn hydro to eat...make sure you get it.....you have to be very pro active with this rare disease. Find neuro who has many TN patients.....even if you have to travel...... Look at our doctor list. This is litterally one of the top threeeee pains known to man!
MY PC gave me this 5% lido cream with peperment oil in it that people use for there dentures and I tried putting it on my gums and It really created one of the worst TN experiences I have ever had I think it was the pepermint oil I am going to the Neuro on tues day he is the third one I have tried in my area that is on my insurance in phoenix I think he is going to maybe try to change my meds to tegretol do you know much about tis drug I am a little afraid of it from what I have heard The bad part is I am supposed to be going on vaction next week tickets are non refundable, I was on 400mg of gabapentin 3x day and now I am on 500mg 4x day I do not how long it take for the dose change to take effect it has been only about 24 hours I know why doctor do not like they hydrocone but if I take it I can be monderatly pain free for about 3-4 hours it is so bad right know that talking can be hard drinking everything because my trigger point is the upper gums and teeth on left side I use a straw cut the food up and have used a hot washcloth against face while eating it helps once the face gets used to the hot wash cloth on it
Thank you so much If you would be interest in calling me send me a message
Kc Dancer Kc said:
TELL the doctor you will be needing prescription Lidoderm patches for your face, or lidocaine cream, or both, as well as lidocaine mouthwash if inside mouth pain....... These help to eat, sleep, AND able to keep med doses down.....better for all those crappy side effects to be LESS! . Don't even need appt......they can just magically call it in...not a narcotic.
If not , ask your GP or dentist and fire that doctor. If you need damn hydro to eat...make sure you get it.....you have to be very pro active with this rare disease. Find neuro who has many TN patients.....even if you have to travel...... Look at our doctor list. This is litterally one of the top threeeee pains known to man!