I was prescribed Gabapentin after an awful outbreak of shingles last June?
Question posted by lilred68107 on 25 March 2010
Last updated on 22 November 2018 by Shingles Boy
My PCM ordered 300mg to be taken 3x a day. I haven't felt any significant relief from this, so I looked it up on this website. I found that I may not be taking enough, so I called my PCM, and she prescribed 400mg to be taken 3x a day. How long will it take for me to know if this is an improvement? I feel stabbing, pin sticking, pain across my rib cage 24/7. Weather is a huge factor it seems... as with certain fabrics that come in contact with the affected area.
I have also tried Capsicum Oleoresin with 0.075% Capsaicin Topical Analgesic Cream, but that really put it on fire. So, that is out. Anyone have any other ideas for relief? Is 1200 mg of Gabapentin per day going to make a significant difference vs 900mg that didn't even touch it?
I have also been told that stress is a huge contributor to Shingles outbreaks, but I haven't had much luck at reducing that in my life. I was prescribed Prozac and before the 30 day prescription ran out, I weaned off of it because of very frightening, violent nightmares. I don't think that is the route for me to go.
I can't seem to get much info from the PCM. What specialty doctors can I request a referral to?
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19 Answers
SH
Shingles Boy
22 Nov 2018
I have given advice on this before Gabapentin is useless I don't know why they keep prescribing it ? maybe own shares. you want Tramadol + Amitriptolyne ignore the spelling these together worked for me, wear light cool fabrics and only a sheet at night sleep alone, Its a long road to recovery maybe 3 Months or more but I wouldn't be waiting on Gabapentin working. Good Luck. : )
Votes: +0
BE
Beanie58
22 Nov 2018
I got shingles Oct. 2017 on the left side of my face in my eye region. I am taking 1200 mg of Gabapentin, 400 3 x a day. It does help but I know when it wears off. I currently have the sensation I call ants under my skin. My forehead, and side of my nose itch, and my eyelid and surrounding area swells, and I have blurry vision I try not to touch my face, in Oct 2018 I started seeing pain management doctor who is doing nerve block injections to by V1 nerve. So far no relief but he is confident it will work. My goal is to get off the gabapentin. I am hopeful the injections work.
Votes: +0
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Shingles9991
15 Aug 2018
I had an outbreak of shingles for the first time in June of 2018. This happened after a procedure on my face which I now wish I never would have had! I am currently on 2,100 mg of Neurontin 3 times per day, and it does help but I think I'm going to need to have the doctor up the dose as the itching is terrible. Also, there is a new shingles shot which is a series of 2 shots. I would highly recommend this. I have had the first new shot which is 95 to 98% effective. It's much better than the old shot which was only 50% effective and apparently didn't help me. There's a shortage of the new shot and you may have to get on a waiting list usually. If you find this to be the case, get on waiting list at different pharmacies and check with your doctor to see if they have it available. Best of luck and prayers to you.
Votes: +0
PA
Patty Fanego
22 Sep 2018
Can you tell me what procedure was. I had internal shingles just after using botox
JO
Joyofthelord
2 June 2018
I was first taking Lyrica after a case of the shingles it was helping, but when my insurance changed I was given the prescription Gabapentin. I started out with a low dosage but I am now on 300mg 3 times a day (1 morning, 2 afternoon, and 2 at night). It still really doesn't help the nerve pain but it does have a calming effect somewhat. Weather plays a big part. I was affected on the right half of my body, from abdomen to spine. Pain 24/7. I I tried creams with Lidocaine and the patches. Try not to wear any clothing that is tight against your skin. If possible get your mind on something else. Anyone else with this problem, what are you doing to help with the pain? It was suggested that I go to a pain management doctor.
Votes: +0
MO
Molly66
11 Dec 2017
After reading a lot of answers, it's quite obvious people respond differently to meds... I currently have Shingles, for the second time. I had a mild case 3 y ago. I realize it was mild before, because this time, the pain is different and way more blisters that eventually showed up. A couple weeks ago, I thought I pulled muscles around my left ribcage, front to back?? I know I felt this pain before, so It must be muscular, I thought. The pain, 2 weeks ago was moreso a pulling, constant intense deep achey pain where I had difficulty standing, sitting, sleeping... I raided my medicine cabinet and nothing was working. Commuting 2 hr one way to work was brutal. After a week of this I had my husband press hard on the areas attempting to massage what I thought were knotted muscles. I had a regular dr checkup already scheduled for the following week, so I figured I would discuss this pain then. (I should have went sooner)
At this point, I've gone over a week with the pain, had very little sleep, barely able to function at work etc, so after a week of this, as I head out the door for work, I grabbed some Excedrin extra strength migraine. On my commute in, my coworker and I started to notice I wasn't writhing in my seat anymore and I started to get some relief, it was the Excedrin that finally helped! Excedrin extra strength started Controlling my pain! What a relief!!!
However, last Thursday (day of dr appt), I wake up with the starts of a rash around my left torso, and a lightbulb goes off, Shingles! I suspected a day or so prior that that's what it was, but I didn't have a rash at that point ... looked it up and found out not everyone gets the visible rash. Now the pain has started to kick into the next pain level, and I've taken so much Excedrin around the clock for a week, my stomach is hurting and I'm trying to cut back some. Dr confirms shingles and gives me script for anti viral Med and gabapentin. I have heard mixed things with gabapentin and was reluctant to take it, but I did anyway. Today, 12-11-17, I have been on gabapentin and Excedrin and the combo is definitely helping. I am no longer feeling the pain as if you are about to be operated on without any anesthesia or meds. I actually know what that feels like, too, as I had both of my children by c-section and during the one, I was not completely numb when they started to cut me open! (Searing, burning, ripping pain.) So, so far, for me, my gabapentin experience has been positive, however there are 5 refills, so hopefully I don't need them! If I do, I will be back on this forum to let you know! :-) . Also, of note, besides my positive experience, so far, with gabapentin (and Excedrin, of which, the dr did NOT prescribe), my dr told me that a new Shingles vaccine is coming out soon. It was approved October 2017 and when it arrives at dr offices, my dr said he was getting it right away for himself, he highly recommended it. My dr did not tell me what the name of the vaccine is, but when I looked it up, I found news articles on Shingrix, I believe it's called. I will be getting it, as I want to take every precaution I don't get Shingles for a 3rd time, because as anyone that has had the shingles virus knows, it beyond painful and can linger. I hope something of what I wrote, albeit a long read, helps someone out there! Good luck!
Votes: +2
NO
Notname
21 Feb 2018
This is what works for me as I, hopefully, am ending a shingles attack and gabapentin helpful thought it appears to take time to flick in each dose. When I read that a lack of blood flow affects nerves, not know if that is actually true, but I began to walk quickly for fifteen-twenty minutes or more and got much relief. I took Arnica to reduce inflammation and used the cream on the shingles though any anti inflammatory should work this just bipasses the stomach. Re stress, yes try to avoid frustrations as much as possible but it is the muscle tightening, fight-flight response that does harm. Practice noticing when muscles are tight and practice letting than relax thru calming self-talk, taking mind to quiet place you remember, enjoying deeper inhales, what ever works for you. Eat wisely avoiding neg shingles foods and enjoying foods that fill you and taste good to avoid an empty stomach.
I take my ice bag with me to be filled, places serving drinks or keeping food cool were great, if needed
Good luck to us all.
SH
Shingles Boy
7 Oct 2017
Gabapentin did nothing for me, its all fine saying wait a week when your not going off your head with pain, Amatryptline 2x25 grms + Tramidol 2x25 arms 4 x a day that will do the job then come off them slowly, I still have some neuralgia pain after 7 months nothing much so be prepared for a long haul, this is brought on by stress so any one giving you stress Get Rid of them asap. Good Luck, Shingles Boy. Excuse the spelling.
Votes: +0
HA
Hayleesmom
7 Oct 2017
Hi hang in there. I had shingles in my left side with pain outbreaks since Oct 2016. I have been on gabapentin since Jan 2016. The pain really does get better with time and gabapentin and shingles pain gets better a six months mark . I try to reduce stress and take a walk outside a few times a week. I also take effexor which has helped me with nerve pain as well.
Votes: +1
MY
mygenie
5 Oct 2017
I started with shingles in July of 2017 in my right hand.. (Yes, I am right handed) I am now on Gabapentin 300 mg capsules. 3 capsules 4 X per day. I have constant pain that only gets worse at times. I don't feel like it is doing me any good. I will be going for pain management in a few days. I sure hope it helps. Has anyone else gotten relief with this?
Votes: +0
SH
Shingles Boy
29 May 2017
Tramadol 2x 50mg 4 times a day cut the dose when you can I'm down to 4 x50 a day still feel a little pain but I was turning into a zombie with the higher dose, Good Luck.
Votes: +1
SH
Shingles Boy
26 March 2017
A very light quilt over you at night helps and sleep alone, Also one of those small hand held Fan's blowing cold air on the burning area gives good relief, More relief than the Gabapentin anyway. I,ve just started Gabapentin a week ago 300mg three times a day it did nothing so just started 600 mgs 3 times a day so far waste of time but I'll give it time, Surely a medicine should work a lot quicker than this its like taking a placebo for a week, Come on Gabapentin makers get your act together your medicine thus far is not fit for purpose.
Votes: +0
NI
nickinicole
23 July 2013
I also have shingles and Gabapentin did'nt help me it hurt my short term memory. I'm off of it and started taking Green Coffee Extract to lose weight and it seems to help with Shingles pain and outbreaks. God Bless You and pray to the Lord ur God prayer always helps !
Votes: +0
FR
fromwestvirginia
17 March 2013
I had shingles in December 2012 and January 2013 and Gabapentin didn't do a thing for me but make me throw up. Ice packs helped the most. Frozen bags of peas are the most comfortable. And, of course I'm having that post shingles nerve pain but at least it is slowly getting better. Try ice packs. And good luck.
Votes: +0
EL
ElGenio
17 March 2013
Hello Lilred68107... I have severe PHN and I empathize with you! I am only able to function by taking the recommended medical max of gabapentin which is 3,200 mg per 24 hours. I'll sometimes even exceed that by taking one last 800 mg tab before going to bed. I have tried almost everything else including steroid injections in the spinal column, spinal chord stimulation and the whole range of drugs available. Thus far, only gabapentin has helped. Radio frequency ablation is the next and probably last of the options, meanwhile, gabapentin it is... GOOD LUCK!
Votes: +2
SP
specie
27 Aug 2012
I had shingles, followed by PHN (the nerve pain was from chest around to middle of the back, right along the bra line!) Gabapentin only got me an hour a day relief. THis was ordered by my primary. Because I still had so much pain, he suggested a neurologist, who put me on Lyrica. I can still remember the first moment of relief I got - Lyrica was awesome!! I think my initial dosage was 150mg AM, 75 mg at noon if needed, and 150 mg late afternoon (too close to bedtime gave me creepy dreams). Lyrica is the only thing that has touched the PHN pain. I tried everything else: neurontin, amitriptyline, capsaicin(?) patches, which of course set the pain even more on fire, ditto for the TENS machine, hypnosis did not help.
After five years, I had gotten up to 225 mg 2x/day. The side effects were not pretty - I gained about 40 pounds over that time, and my brain went stupid. But, the pain was under control. I am now trying to lower the dose, 50 mg at a time. At first the pain comes back, but levels off after a while. And, I am getting my brain back! It also helps to not wear a bra whenever possible (good thing undershirts are in style ; )
Hard choices between pain and side effects - personal for everyone. I am so grateful for Lyrica. Good luck!
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
18 Jan 2012
Another drug commonly used for Shingles is Lyrica. My son just had a bout with shingles near his eyes. which could have been very dangerous. The Lyrica is much like gabapentin, but I think works better for the nerve pain. which is all you are treating. There is no cure for shingles at this time that I'm aware of. Now Lyrica does have it's own side effects too, so you have to be careful on it. My son got blurry vision, & had to stop it because of his work, but he said it did definaltly heped his pain from shingles. Just some thoughts... Mary
