Aa
Desperate
I have a question regarding my doctors choice of pain management. I am a cancer survivor of about 5 years and have terrible headaches from my brain surgery and chemo didn't allow things no heal properly. Anyway, he refuses to give me anything besides this gabapentin stuff, I've been on it now for 2months and haven't noticed any relief and want to know what you guys think. And he also refuses to give me stronger meds in fear of rebound headaches. Thanks
Hey there,
Get another opinion.
There are over 300 types of headaches. Some are very complex and fit into many categories.
I have had a headache for over 8 years. This is after I had three skull base surgeries. There are docs who follow the rebound pain school of thought (migraines) and those who don't. I've seen more docs about this than I can count.Now I take: Gabapentim, an SSRI, OxyContin, use ice packs, use caffeine, and get Radio Frequency Ablations (on two nerve groups every six months) . I also see a pain psychologist weekly and more. I actually have pain free days about 1/2 the time now.
There is much more that could possibly work but you need other opinions.
Feel better!
Horselip
Get another opinion.
There are over 300 types of headaches. Some are very complex and fit into many categories.
I have had a headache for over 8 years. This is after I had three skull base surgeries. There are docs who follow the rebound pain school of thought (migraines) and those who don't. I've seen more docs about this than I can count.Now I take: Gabapentim, an SSRI, OxyContin, use ice packs, use caffeine, and get Radio Frequency Ablations (on two nerve groups every six months) . I also see a pain psychologist weekly and more. I actually have pain free days about 1/2 the time now.
There is much more that could possibly work but you need other opinions.
Feel better!
Horselip
On that note...yes, second, third opinion and pain management. Wonder why your doc is stuck on gabapentin. When it works it works but not for all. It makes sense still that he avoids opiates because of the increase in Intracranial pressure side effect....why a lot of people do feel the rebound headaches more. There are other options that are not as offensive. I think I would be asking for a pain management referral. They are well versed on what may work and may not. Hopefully you have a good pain management clinic in your area.
I see your point. However, would you classify my pain as a "headache"? I mean, I do have a headache, but also incision pain, and general body pain from terribly harsh chemo and radiation to the brain. Plus I do have a shunt from hydrocephalus caused by the tumor. Please give me some advise. This gabapentin is ********. Plus it been two months now
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In the ER we are no longer allowed to give narcotics for migraines or headaches...its a cocktail of different meds and most leave headache free. I would hold out on jumping into opiates....last resort. Long term use, dependence, tolerance the way they mess up your endocrine system...nasty. So many men end up having low T at young ages and having to get testosterone injections as a direct result of opiates. Just my 2 cents. But that is what the doc is thinking....train of thought and how they were trained.