Nerve pain in head/scalp/face/neck - Lyrica

[JaclynDT]

I have had severe burning/tingling/pins & needles/brain zap sensations covering my head (entire scalp), face, and neck for several years. I have been to Dr. after Dr. (as you can read about in my profile) and after several failed attempts with many different medications - as of yesterday I am again on a new one. Most recently I was taking Gabapentin (took it until the prescription was out) and after no improvement, I've now been switched to Lyrica.

My (newest) Dr. tried to diagnose it initially as Occipital Neuralgia but it surpasses the occipital region. They know that it is nerve related but have no idea what is causing it. It happens from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep (I've learned to cope as best as possible) but it effects my daily life as I'm sure you can imagine. When it gets really bad I want to rip my hair out and just lay in a dark room and try to sleep since that is the only thing that fully takes away the pain/sensations.

Long story short, have any of you experienced this sort of thing? Anyone on or have tried Lyrica? ANY feedback would be greatly appreciated. After 4 years, I would love some sort of piece of mind... but I have come to the realization that this will be a trial and error process.... just hope it doesn't take another 4+ years to figure out. I've almost forgotten what it feels like to feel "normal"

[bumblebizto]

Hello Jacky, hope you are well. My father has been complaining of burning feelings on his forearms for a few months now, on and off. It's kept him awake so he tells me. These spells of these day-long sensations seem to last 3-5 days at a time, and he has difficulty felling asleep during these times. Looks like these spells occur every few weeks...

This is in addition to his numb feet that began in March of this year. He's 59 years old and is healthy but with slightly high BP. The latest doc suggested Lyrica but he hasnt started yet. Either this is some late onset MS or diabetes, or something else. What have you come up with? Good luck and I hope to hear from you.

[Eddie1994]

I've tried various milligrams of it.  It requires tirating up as well as down to insure against side effects.  I used it for abdominal nerve pain and it did better than gabapentin.  It is expensive.  At some point you mau want to ask your Dr about a test called SSEP which helps diagnosis which nerve and approximately where.  I'm not sure is cranial nerves can be measured but lower body nerves can be.  Good luck and good health!