Shingles Support Group

Im going to my family Dr. to see if I can go on it. the burning itchy skin is effecting my life. Ive tried hydroxzine(sp) and amitripilyne. Nothing helps. Feel like Im going crazy. Been to two Derm. Dr. and hoave a appt. with a specilest in July.

I am sorry about your issues with Gabapentin. The first time I tried it, I was OK (I experienced dizziness, was clumsy) taking 300Mg 3 or 4 x a day. It seemed to help relax my muscles/nerves and hold off the pain until around 5 or 6 pm. Then I tried to go up to 600Mg 3x/day and it was awful! It made me depressed, I slept 12-16 hours per day, and when I was awake I felt like I was drunk and was very clumsy. It also didn't seem to make a difference with the pain.

As a result, I tried switching to Lyrica, and was OK getting used to a non-therapeutic amount - instead of dizzy or drunken, it gave me Vertigo (if I laid down and got up, the world would go sideways). At that low dose (50Mg 2x/day) it really didn't help PHN pain. Then I tried to up the Lyrica to 100 2x/day and I got depressed, and the world was really going sideways a lot.

SO, I went back to Gabapentin, taking no more than 300Mg 3 or 4x /day. I have mostly gotten used to it, although the world does spin sometimes. I still get breakthrough pain in the evening and I usually just live with it or if it is really bad, I take Vicadin.

I will take Gabapentin any day over Lyrica but everyone is different. The other problem with Lyrica is it is an expensive drug and not all health plans cover it or if you don't have health insurance it is hard to afford. You might still want to ask if you could try Lyrica. Some people with Fibromyalgia consider it a wonder drug for pain.

I also use a TENS machine (sends electrical impulses to your pain area to try to confuse your nerves so that they don't send pain signals to the brain) and that seems to help.

I am also trying extended release Flexeril (Amrix), a muscle relaxant, and that has been very hard to get used to compared to regular Flexeril. For the first week I had a stomach ache and one day it made my ears ring. I still get pain in the evenings.

Gosh, and I also take Cymbalta 120Mg in the morning to help with pain.

So, I am still in the trial and error period, like you, of finding the right cocktail that really helps. My problem is aggravated because the pain is around the bicep area of my right arm. I am right-handed, and even using my right hand too much, for example, typing on the computer, can trigger the pain.

Hang on and make sure your doctor listens to you. Good luck. - alazymoon

I just came back from the Dr. and Im starting Gabapentin 100 mg. 3x day. How long does it usually take to kick in?