gabapentin

[Shadow]

I noticed in one of the topics that Gaba is used as a preventative for headaches.
I am 3 years post op from my translab and have had a lot of headaches for the last couple of years now. I have other health issues that got me put on Gaba, and the docs have been slowly raising the doses. Has anyone felt this has helped their headaches? I'm currently rotating through the Advil, Tylenol, Aleve to see which works and when.

[Mei Mei]

Alleve worked best for me, and I think Cindy took Gabapentin.   What really worked with the Myofacial Release Therapy.   It is incredible!!    I also had the occipital nerves excision at Georgetown by Dr. Ducic.   It was also a great help.
Sincerely,
Mei Mei

[JW123]

I started gabapentin a few weeks ago. I am working up to the max dosage, 300mg 3 times a day, morn, noon, and night.  So far I cant say it is helping. i have been having terrible daily headaches. They tend to be in the morning and at night. It seems to be when I am less active. Like just waking up or sitting around before sleeping. Icepacks do seem to help some. I have also been taking Tylenol ER when they come on and it seems to kick in some about 20-30 min later.

[Mei Mei]

If the drugs won't work and the occipital nerve blocks won't work, then you need to start contact Dr. Ducic at Georgetown.
Mei Mei

[Janet]

Actually, if the occipital nerve block gives you relief, it is a positive sign that the occipital nerve may be the culprit. Dr Ducic fixed mine and it really made a difference in my quality of life.

My headaches were severe. It is hard to communicate just how bad the headaches were. I knew that I needed to do something or my life would be fairly dismal. 

[jwporter]

Janet,

I noticed that your tumor was small, just like mine. I read in a clinical study that patients that have smaller tumors were more likely to have worse headaches. If mine don't continue to diminish, I may have to fly to Georgetown as I mentioned in another thread.....

[Kathleen_Mc]

really the only thing that has been helpful for me has been to go to bed, in the dark, and stay there until the headache has gone.....not something I can do now that I have children.
I still take alternating Tylenol and Advil which does help to some degree.
I have been tried on an ergot prep. drug that is rarely used for migraines, Amitriptline, and Imitex.....all had very limited effects and the side effects weren't good.
I have found over time they occur less often but are just as severe.
I hope you are able to find something that works for you.
Kathleen

[Pryscodisco]

I haven't surgery yet, but I've had constant tumor related headaches for two years that I couldn't find anything to help control them. No OTCs worked and I tried several narcotics before they gave me Gabapentin. It didn't get rid of my headaches completely, but it controls them so that I can still work and have a normal life.

[JW123]

Earlier I said I would post an update after I had been taking gabapentin for a while. I have been on gabapentin for maybe 2 months now. I worked up to taking it 3 times a day, morn, noon, and night, which I still am doing. I do not believe it is helping at all. I have been waking up with some of he worst headaches I have had since right after the surgery. I still get daily headaches (not including the night ones). They seem to occur the most when I am being pretty idle, like hanging around the apartment or what not. I also get really bad ones when I am constantly bending up and down, which makes more sense to me than when I get them from not being very active. This post is starting to get off track. I take Tylenol pretty much every morning with my gabapentin and then take more Tylenol later in the day when another headache hits. Which is usually about 30 min after work, so around 5:30. The Tylenol really seems to be my best defense.

I am going to be seeking out a headache professional in my area, which is going to be tough. I have been getting prescriptions from my surgeon, but it has been over the phone and he suggested seeing a headache specialist.

wish me luck...

[wwarr]

Seeking out a neurologist or professional in your area is a great idea.  It sounds like the Neurontin isn't helping and in my opinion why continue a drug if it is not working.  I would bring it up to your Dr. when you go.  I know Neurontin has side effects and weight gain was one of them for me.  Others here have great suggestions for further treatments.  It might be worth looking into if you cannot find relief.
I wish you the very best in your quest to be free of these painful headaches.  Keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.
Good luck!
Wendy