I have chronic facial pain due to radical surgery for inner ear cancer. Can anyone recommend an alternative to Gabapentin?

[patriciaol]

[Hidden]

AMYTRYPTALENE, get confused by the spelling I have only been taking it for twenty years It sounds like it is

BOB

[patriciaol]

Thanks. Do use Amy but it makes me fatigued in mind and body, even 10mg gives me a hangover (cheaper than wine!)

Patricia

[juliansmom]

Gaba didn't work for me either. I use nortriptyline, same drug class as amitriptaline but less side effects. Its reduced my nerve pain at forty mgs. A night. I'm not too drowsy from it if I get eight hours of sleep.

[patriciaol in reply to juliansmom]

thanks will see my doctor re this

[welshnut]

Pregablin which is the grandson of gabapentin, I found it more effective with less side effects

[patriciaol in reply to welshnut]

thanks a lot - will give it a try

[colboy]

Gabapentin gave me nightmares I tried to strangle my wife in my sleep it scared me so the doc changed it I use to have chronic pain at night which stopped me sleeping i was awake every hour one the hour I would struggle to get out of bed as I have chronic back pain due to Rheumatoid arthritis in my spine and hips I have had my Knee replaced so it's not to bad in the legs now but I take 3 X2 5 mgs Amitriptyline at night two at 18.00 with a 100mgs Zomorph which is slow release and at 22.00pm I take one Amitriptyline and 2 X 500 mgs Paracetamol this works for me now I can get a good 8 to 10 hours of sleep. When I wake I have my wife to help with dressing me then I Take the morning Pills. It's never going to get any better but at least I am alive and my mind is active which means I can look after the grandchildren and enjoy their company although they sometimes call me Grumpy Grandad, when I have one of my bad day's. Hope this helps Patricia, chin up I always think there are people worse off than me Take Care and good luck.

[patriciaol in reply to colboy]

Cheers -- I content myself with saying "I'm alive".

[razespain]

COLBOY----- I wont go into detail but acute chronic pain has been my partner for many years and have tried many many drugs I now am having spinal injections and take zomorph and this one is worth a try Pregagalin I am the best I have been for a long time. I do have my bad days but hey ho that's life Ray

[Engineer785]

The only alternative to gabapentin I know of is pregabalin.

My own use of gabapentin is only affective if taken with other drugs.

I am taking oxycontin, gabapentin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen in controlled dosage.

For me they didn't work on their own so I would ask to see a pain doctor.

[teadrinker]

I sympathise as I've had chronic facial pain for several years. However, it's not caused by cancer so I count my blessings. I didn't get relief from gabapentin or pregablin - or any drug really. I have botox for the pain but I don't know if this would help with post-surgical pain. The most effective and comforting thing I have found is to press a fluffy microwaveable heat pack to the painful it of my face. Of course it only lasts as long as the heat, but it's like hugging your face or ear. I know it can sometimes be unbearable to have even the slightest touch to the face for some people ( I went though a stage of that too), but you never know.

[patriciaol]

Thank you all for some great responses - much to think about! Might take my mind off the pain!