I have chronic facial pain due to radical sur... - Pain Concern
I have chronic facial pain due to radical surgery for inner ear cancer. Can anyone recommend an alternative to Gabapentin?
AMYTRYPTALENE, get confused by the spelling I have only been taking it for twenty years It sounds like it is
BOB
Thanks. Do use Amy but it makes me fatigued in mind and body, even 10mg gives me a hangover (cheaper than wine!)
Patricia
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.
Pregablin which is the grandson of gabapentin, I found it more effective with less side effects
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.
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
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.
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.
Thank you all for some great responses - much to think about! Might take my mind off the pain!