Gabapentin for Occipital Neuralgia User Reviews

• Kbk...
• September 29, 2018

"I take four 800 mg doses per day. The pain is barely at bay, but anything else I’ve tried had zero effect. I also take Flexeril at night, I don’t think it does anything. There is a bald spot on the back of my skull where I constantly press down because of the pain. I do everything with my left hand now because I can’t keep my right hand off the spot. The pain never goes away. I’ve had facet injections, nerve blocks, massage, 6 weeks of PT. My Occipital Neuralgia has bankrupted my family and is ruining our lives. I fear losing my job, becoming homeless with no health insurance. I also live with Depression and Anxiety disorder which are exacerbated by the ON. I take so many pills every day, I can’t imagine what it’s doing to my organs. I’ve tried exercise, yoga, meditation, and I’ve done everything I was told to try. Gabapentin is the only thing that helps at all. If I were not a mother, I would end my life. The pain is constant and unrelenting. No one should have to live like this."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

"After suffering day in and day out for 32 years of my life, I was told I had occipital neuralgia. I was given a large shot into the base of my skull every month for 3 years, but the shot did nothing. Then I was put on oral gabapentin, and for the first time in my life, I have little to no pain based on what I was dealing with. So thankful for it."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2017

"I delivered packages for 32 years. 6 years ago I had such horrible neck pain and the doctor said bone spurs, and take up to 16 ibuprofen a day and stretch. I had physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractor, massage, traction and headaches, ear, neck and pain behind the eyes. I retired early because of this. Then three weeks ago, slurred speech, dizziness, headache and finally went to a neurologist. He put me on gabapentin, and after 3 days, little pain. I am now on three times a day and ZERO pain pills... zero for the first time in 6 years! The only side effect is a little sleepy but my energy level is way up and I can sleep wonderfully now. God bless the Neurologist and gabapentin. My life has changed for the best."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 22, 2025

"This does work, but it can be abused, unfortunately. It is better than baclofen for my condition, however, so I did take it for quite some time. The false sense of well-being is the kicker for me. You've really got to get that in your mind with some of these drugs, like gabapentin and baclofen, that they make you feel like you feel good, but you don't necessarily have a true grasp on what you really feel... only how you feel about it... kind of like a source of apathy, which, if you have depression, is not a great thing."

• Nic...
• May 13, 2017

"Struggled with migraines and behind the ear neck pain for over 10 years. General doc thought migraines and tried various different meds, with no success. OTC analgesics didn't touch it, either. Finally saw a neurologist on the advice of my new general doc after my previous retired. He immediately diagnosed it as textbook occipital neuralgia and put me on Neurotin. I was better within a week. Still had some lingering pain on certain days so he doubled my dose, which was the minimum at the time for an adult. I'm still on a super low dose and have a headache now maybe once every three weeks instead of 5 to 6 times per week."

• Tic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2018

"I was having severe shooting pain on a daily basis, as well as pain episodes that woke me up in the middle of the night. After being prescribed gabapentin, my pain stopped immediately, and I have had very few pain episodes since, and none so severe. I was pretty sleepy for the first couple of days of taking it, but other than that, I experienced no bad side effects."

• liz...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 11, 2024

"My occipital neuralgia attacks started in 1986. It was a dreadful stabbing electric shock-like pain. Relief came from taking Motrin (anti-inflammatory) when an attack happened, but as terrific as it was as a painkiller, I couldn't continue as it had harsh effects on my stomach. Years later, a doctor prescribed Gabapentin for ongoing after-surgery knee pain. The Gabapentin did nothing for the pain in my knee, but I didn't have a neuralgia attack for years. I didn't find taking Gabapentin had any side effects. At present, my dosage is 600mg in the morning, 400 at noon, and then 600 at bedtime. Thinking I might be able to take less of a dosage in consultation with my doctor, I reduced the morning dose to 400mg. Immediately I started to get a neuralgia (occipital) attack. So, I've immediately gone back to taking 600mg in the AM. I hope this info helps someone."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2020

"I have suffered from extreme occipital neuralgia, neuropathy, and RLS for 15 yrs. I've tried gabapentin 3 times in hope for some relief. Each time I took it at bedtime. Woke up a few hours later from pain (as I always do each night) and each time I was so dizzy and couldn't walk straight and fell down. The last try at gabapentin, I hit my head on the bed frame when I fell and ended up in the ER. I absolutely cannot tolerate this drug."

• Tam...
• November 22, 2019

"I have chronic vestibular migraine (diagnosed by Neuro), and 8 months ago developed a new, constant pain in the back of my head, which starts at the base of my skull and covers the full back of my head. I described my pain to my primary doc, and she said it sounded like Occipital Neuralgia, then she looked at Neuro's notes and it said I possibly had Occipital Neuralgia. Primary doc said to add Gabapentin to my migraine meds for the constant headache. She started me on 300 mg a day, then upped me to 600 mg. I have been on Gabapentin for 6 months. I recently had to increase to 900 mg, then 2 weeks later to 1,200 mg, but I'm dealing with a lot of stress right now. I hope to be able to go back to 600 mg. I have learned stress causes neuralgia flare-ups. This med has been great for me. Gave it a 9, not 10, since I had to increase it so much. The only side effects I had were bloating/fluid retention, which resolved in the first month, and some sleepiness in the first few days."

• Cos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2020

"I was just prescribed this medication, gabapentin, for occipital neuralgia. I have yet to take it, but while reading all the comments, I saw a lot of fellow restless leg syndrome sufferers. The only thing that works for me is a combo of magnesium oil sprayed and massaged into the sole of my feet and taking a magnesium supplement before bed. Hope this helps someone out there."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2024

"I have found it to be helpful, overall. I will say, though, after you have been on Gabapentin for a while to manage Occipital Neuralgia, if you miss a pill, you will most definitely notice. Your body will become quite sensitive to changes, in relation to this medicine. Also, I don't know if this is the case for anyone else, but I find that the Gabapentin becomes increasingly ineffective in times of anxiety, stress, etc. My Occipital Neuralgia really acts up during those times and Gabapentin does not seem to be helpful at those times."

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2023

"I am taking gabapentin 3 times a day at 300 mg. I have had occipital neuralgia for a year. Injections, nerve block, Botox, nothing worked until I got on this drug. I still get headaches, but overall it's been good. I've been on it now for two weeks. Have odd dreams! But am feeling so much better. I'm also working with a nutritionist and am so pleased, he's getting to the root cause of this issue. Take care, everyone!"

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2015

"I've been on gabapentin for a little less than 2 months. I was having a headache 5-6 times a week. I'm down to 1 time a week now. It has delayed my period and caused me to be 5 days late, but no other side effects."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2021

"I have been suffering from severe neck pain for 3 years and I have tried many painkillers as well as ablations for severe neck pain that goes up into my head that has given me little relief. After seeing many doctors, I have most recently been diagnosed with occipital neuralgia and prescribed gabapentin. It has been the most helpful medication that has helped calm my occipital neuralgia. I take 600 mg 3x a day. I also take one tablet of meloxicam of 7.5 mg a day. I continue to have some pain, but it is tolerable now."

• Tko...
• May 11, 2024

"I can feel the headache trying to happen while on gabapentin. It's almost like someone threw a really thick blanket on top of a cat fight. So glad I have some form of relief. I would recommend still watching your posture and doing your rituals to prevent headaches so that the nerve can catch a break. I'm no doctor but I fear getting reckless, running out, and the pain being worse after I stop taking it. Other than that, I HIGHLY recommend it personally. I could cry how much it's dulled the chaos."

• Can...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2022

"I take 2,700 mg of gabapentin a day (900 mg 3x a day) for occipital neuralgia. It works for the pain really well at this dose, however, I cannot sleep for the life of me! My depression became worse, I’m sensitive and cry all the time, and I have severe munchies all the time, but especially at night when I can’t sleep. I sleep maybe 4-5 hours a night in two-hour increments. My depression is so bad that they’ve put me on a higher dose of lithium (I’m bipolar 1) and cycled me through several other medications for that, with no help and bad side effects. I have been on gabapentin for over 2 years and have been slowly tapering my dose from 3,600 mg a day so that I may rely on nerve blocks as my insurance doesn’t cover the gabapentin alternative Lyrica."

• pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2024

"It works! Occipital neuralgia on the left side began about 10 days after Bell's palsy started on the left side and initial course of prednisone. Initially, I used 1950 mg Tylenol and 1800 mg Advil per day, but it didn't stop the pain. The doctor prescribed gabapentin 900 mg per day (300 mg dose), and the pain started to relieve in several hours. The side effect is some dizziness and constipation. I'm expecting that once the Bell's palsy resolves, so will the occipital neuralgia."

• All...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 12, 2023

"First started for neuropathy & occipital neuralgia (ON) at 100 mg TID but was ineffective. Tried Lyrica, then new neurologist switched me back to gabapentin, 900 mg TID. It helped a lot, so it was increased to QID, and then I was switched to Gralise. I've recently restarted it despite my side effects at 300 mg TID and now increasing to 600 mg - and soon to be Gralise. The side effects are significant - I had about 7 lbs weight gain (permanent) the two times I restarted a high dose. On top of the weight, a lot of bloating & swelling in my hands, calves, and feet. Most upsetting - significantly reduced libido & frustratingly, anorgasmia. To reduce ON & neuropathy, it's worth it at the moment. I'm hoping other med changes will allow me to taper down & off because of the side effects (most notable when I went from 600 mg/d to 1200 mg+)"

• eur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2024

"I'm taking gabapentin for my lower back, however, I have ON for 7+ years. With starting gabapentin, it had helped my back pain, but I am still having ON flares, which the gabapentin doesn't touch at all. Works for my back."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2024

"I've had occipital neuralgia with no cause! Back of head, right side pain and tingling! I am on 200 mg twice a day! Pain has gone down, but perhaps need to adjust dosage to completely stop pain? Tylenol removes it all!"

• sun...
• November 5, 2013

"I found that gabapentin needs to be combined with lorazepam to be effective in controlling occipital neurological pain."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2021

"I have had zero head/neck pain since I started gabapentin (taking 100 mg 3x/day)."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 23, 2022

"It instantly turned my occipital neuralgia around. I was overwhelmed with happiness that something was working. My pain level went from 6-7 to 2-3. What a relief!"

• Cas...
• June 18, 2014

"Sciatica pain and related severe knee pain is almost completely gone after two days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2021

"Reduced frequency of shocks and lessened the intensity of them when I did get them. A bit more tired, but not terrible. Sometimes I feel a bit off balance, but overall, pretty good."