really need some help

[clo236]

I think ive made a big mistake as I was still in alot of pain the doctor suggested trying gabapentin and coming off lyrica. I am on day 4 of gabapentin.The pain is obviously worse, i feel nauseus, my anxiety is through the roof and I now have that hypersensitivity like an arousal at my clitoris (I didnt have this on pregabalin). I am absolutely freaking out that I've done the wrong thing and that symptom will be there to stay. Does gabapentin help for that symptom I'm only on 900mg of gabapentin, at what dose would I need to reach to feel the benefit?
I dont have another doctors appointment until another 10 days

Thanks Chlo xxx

[janetm2]

Hi Chlo,
first just because your next appointment is not for ten days does not mean you cannot call and express your concerns especially if you encounter any bad side effects like blurred vision. I had some issues with ramping up and had to take it slower. I cannot find the exact dosage for effecttiveness but I think it was 2400mg a day and some people when up to 3600. So sorry you having the recurrence of problems and pain. You can call the doctor and ask the receptionist what the doctor suggests based on what you are experiencing.
Janet

[clo236]

Hi Janet,

thanks for answering me, the pain signals are all hitting my clitoris at the minute and i feel like im at the verge of an orgasm its horrific, I got an appointment there this thurs but its a man so i'd be terrified to say, he'll just laugh
Have you ever had this before, I should never have come off pregablin.
Are you on gabapentin at the minute?

Thanks Chlo xxx

[janetm2]

Chlo,
I have had mostly anal pain some vaginal but not PGAD. I see PGAD has been really hard for folks to deal with and they say worse than pain and certainly more embarassing. I was on gapapentin before and some after PNE surgery and only up to 1800mg. The pain guy later switched me to lyrica and then my acupuncturist got rid of my last constant pain and I got off lyrica. Now I just take either tramadol (PN pain) or oxycodone (foot pain or both pains). Also take one or the other at bedtime or an hour before depending on how I feel. Also use tramadol if I will be sitting and/or just doing more than normal. It took a few years to figure out how best to handle everything. I'll be 55 and retiring next month so hopefully I can use sitting time for fun stuff. I know you are young and struggling with dealing with this. I had my foot pain start at age 21 had surgery then 5 good years and it came back and stayed. I was devastated at the time not knowing my future, would I end up permanantly in a wheelchair and how to deal with the pain, etc. I am lucky to have the oxy to bring the pain down so I can work and only use the chair for longer "walking" and now sitting with a special cushion. Nothing is perfect but I still consider myself lucky to get through everthing and almost laugh at thinking the foot pain was devastating since that has no comparison to the PN and PNE pains. Good luck to you and hang in there.
Janet

[Violet M]

Clo, pregbalin and gabapentin are related drugs. Pregbalin is newer and from what I've heard, seems to work better for many people. I tried gabapentin but it didn't really work and I had too many side effects. I was only on 900 mg which really is a very low dose compared to what most people say helps them. I was not able to titrate up to a higher dose because it caused too many side effects. I never tried pregbalin because I was already doing much better by the time it became available on the market. I don't think the fact that you quit taking it temporarily means that it won't help you if you go back on it again. I've heard that that can be the case especially with SSRI antidepressants but not necessarily with pregbalin.

Until you can get your meds sorted out, you can try using ice and over-the-counter extra strength vagisil go help dampen the symptoms. Good luck.

Violet

[clo236]

Thanks guys for replying I really mean it.

Do you think it would be best to stay on the gabapentin and get the dose put up. I too am suffering from side effects such as nausea slight sore head, increased anxiety and feeling abit low. Is feeling low normal. I haven't even been to uni either I am terrified that i'll end up failing or having to take the year out. I'm too scared to even face people with this pgad. Do I tell the male GP on thurs about this pgad or will he think its all in my head

Thanks,
Chlo xx

[clo236]

I actually am on lexapro at the minute but have not come off it, for me its the PN as my pins and needles are bad at the minute around the clitoris

Thanks,

Chlo
xxx

[janetm2]

Chlo,
I would saying feeling low would be normal given the changes and interruptions to your life from the condition. I am taking antidepressants just to try and balance, considering I am sometimes alternating sitting and standing to try to keep both pains under control. Not sure what the doctor will say so it is up to you if you want to try telling him and same with sticking out for the higher dose to see if it helps or the effects overcome the usefulness. Gotta run to my GP?
Janet

[stephanies]

Clo,

Maybe the Lexapro is contributing to the PGAD symptoms? You could ask your doctor what he/she thinks about starting a tricyclic antidepressant and slowly weaning off the Lexapro.

Stephanies

[Patty]

Most people cannot tolerate Gabapentin at high doses which is usually needed for this type of pain. You néed to call your doctor and talk about going back on the Lyrica to get the PGAD under control again. I would then ask about Nortrip and or Cymbalata to help with the nerve i.e. Suicidal pain reduced a bit until you can sort things out. Maybe I missed it are you in PT?