the gabapentin is not working 300/day, i broke down crying really hard just now...i feel i will die from this condition the headaches are destroying me...my young son saw the whole thing, i truly believe i will not make it...what do i do? I dont want to die, not now...i have a family...please i need ur help!

ED

I am sorry you hurt like you do. I am glad you reached out. It is so easy to get despondent when physically you are having a ruff time . Maybe it is time to seek your doctor, and really let him know what is happening to you. Don't give up. Go to the ER if you have to. TBI can and does get better in time. So many here on NT say that symptoms do get better. I know what it is like to come unglued. Sometimes the medical conditions we suffer, get the better of us. I think it is mind over matter. Do some good thing each and every day. One thing you like, a moment, a prayer, reading a book. Something that makes your day better. Focus minute to minute if you have to. Your child needs you, You need you. Find the direction you must to make your life better. Do seek help if you need it Ed, and know that you are not alone. Mark From Idaho, is a TBI injured person here, and very very knowledgeable about this condition. don't hesitate to contact him. He may have useful information to help you. I have watched his posts for several years now, and he usually can find something that may get you on a better track. I will be here to talk to. I do care, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. ginnie

Ed,

Calm down and know that things are going to be okay. Being as upset as you are is not going to help you, and you must trust that it will be better if you try to calm down. Do whatever you need to do to make sure you can rest tonight. Tomorrow is a new day and you will find new strength to work on this a little bit more after rest. Each day will get a little better to deal with if you take it slowly, working on something each day little by little. Tonight your task is to calm down and rest. This will take time, a lot of time, but you have the mind and will power to do it but you have to break it down little by little.

As Mark said Gabapentin at 300 mg is not much. It is how much I take. My neurologist thought that it would not be enough and she told me to double the dose if it didn't work. Did yours tell you that? Can you double it or can your wife or son call your doctor on call to see? Is there anything else you can do to calm your nerves right now? If there is, do it or ask for it.

Ed,

I'm living that life right now.

I've been diagnosed with cervogenic headaches, vestibular migraines, and occipital neuralgia.

I've been on topamax, had two rounds of nerve blocks, and am on keppra now.

Topamax didn't work, nerve blocks lasted 4-6 weeks each time. Keppra, I don't think it's working.

I am the most pain free today than I have been in mooonnnttthhhssss. Yesterday I felt the same as you. My shooting pains are getting worse as the night goes on.

I use rubbing alcohol and water ice packs triple bagged. Heat does not work for me. I sleep when my brain tells me to. I also see a PT for my neck.

Tom. I see a pain management dr. I can't wait. Everyday is a headache, it's levels shoot up and down. I've had dark thoughts and its scary. Head pain is unlike any other pain because we use our mind to think. I don't have an answer but I can relate and I hear you. I'll post what the doc says tom.

Get to a doctor ASAP. Keep us informed.

Peace and healing,

Jace

Ed...I was like that and feel so much better now. There is a time when it really is minute by minute. See each minute as success.
My children saw me break down. They saw me lying on the floor in a closet because it was the only quiet place in the house. Children are resilient! Mine are feeling so much better when they see me like I used to be.
You will get better. You have to believe that. I promise you will improve from where you are now. But unfortuneately it takes time, and no one can say how long. Be strong. You will be fine!!!!!! I am out of hell now. It took a long time but I am out.

Sending you lots of courage. Dig down deep inside yourself and find that core of strength that we all have. It is there.

Thank you for your support, I'm at work now better than yesterday, headache trying to come through again...I'm glad you all know how I feel...what can I say, I have to move forward, these are bumps in the long road ahead to recovery...just hope it will end soon, for my family sake.

Your friend and brother,

ED

Thank you Monkey your ur support, just wish I could close my eyes and fast forward 3 years from now in the hopes I will be in a better place. I'm trying my best, but when your not yourself and in constant pain it's so difficult and sometimes the thoughts come and you ask your self how can live this way, what type of life is this? Why did I not die that day?, I mean the pain Im in how its I am still alive? Just hope things get better...really do because its agony...it really is horrific.

Your friend and brother:

ED

thank you for your support Vanilla, today is new day and I hope its better than yesterday...really do. Yesterday was a scary day really thought it was over...just hate all of it!

My doctor had mention to wait a couple of weeks until the gabapentin gets into my system, than increase to 600 mg/day. I been many times to ER when this are at there worst, they wont to MRI unless ur actually dieing and the doc's just send me off with a new prescription and tell me it takes time and nothing they can do...I tried of taking trips to the ER, just so tired of it.

Thank you again really appreciate it.

Your friend and brother;

ED

Hi ED, I notice that of all the test you have had done, you have not gotten your vision checked. This is one of the more important test as vision problems can be big factor in headaches. Go to someone that can test for convergence insufficiency. My vision is 20/20 so I never suspected my vision was messed up when in reality it was big time.

thanks for your advice, I forgotten to mention that, I have checked my vision... did a full extended exam..ALL OK.

Your friend and Brother;

ED