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Best of luck to your family member. TN is considered chronic, but it's a nerve disorder so they might benefit from it. Hope they can get it and it works.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is a type of chronic pain disorder that involves sudden attacks of severe facial pain. It affects the trigeminal nerve, or the fifth cranial nerve, which provides feeling and nerve signaling to parts of the head and face.

I'm sure a lot of us here would appreciate updates on this new drug.

Hi fren, you’re welcome. I’m trying to research this in more detail for you. I’ve been getting fever blisters since I was a kid, that’s from the herpes virus. There’s probably a connection between viruses like herpes (not the sexual kind), mono and chronic pain. I haven’t found much research to back up my beliefs.

• About age 5 started getting fever blisters, my dad gets them also.

• 5th grade, age 9 or 10 got scabies.

• 6 months later diagnosed with dermographism. Dr said it came from scabies. In the hives family, too much release of histamine in blood. When touched (scratching or wrestling type touching) whelp up about the width of pinky finger. Whelps are hot like hives. Also have unusual pain. Stepping on a plug from an electric cord, walking across rocks & even tiny pebbles hurt.

• 9th grade I got sun poisoning for the first. I tan great but have to always wear spf on my nose, below nose & lips. Probably a different version of herpes.

• Between 10th & 11th grade summer had all symptoms of mono but tested negative. It was bad enough for me to stay home several weeks and not go out with my friends.

• fast forward to 28 years old, in very minor auto accident. My husband did two weeks of physical therapy. I had tests, doctors, chiropractor, physical therapy etc for three years and was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. My mom had it & I thought she was making it up. This was mid 90s and nothing was online about it. Most doctors didn’t know what it was or thought “we” were faking. I found a huge thick book and got educated. I had explain it to doctors🤦🏻‍♀️😟 The Dr that diagnosed me, he said accident brought it to the surface. His wife had it and he knew instantly. Some experts say it’s hereditary and others say trauma causes it. IDK, my mom and I had plenty of trauma from my alcoholic dad, verbal abuse. Maybe it was that. At this point it doesn’t matter.

Allergy doctors told me my dermographism came from a cat & dog allergy. Yet I’ve lived a few years here and there with out a pet.

I’m not completely convinced it doesn’t come from toxins in food. Most likely all chronic conditions is a result of toxins. It’s kinda odd we live daily with more toxins than ever before in history and chronic conditions are at an all time high. Lyme, Gulf War Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia; all have basically the same symptoms. Lyme disease can be treated and almost become dormant with antiviral herbs. I don’t have the details, I was researching for a friend and found a lot of info about Lyme treatment. Didn’t save it.

I started taking St. John’s wort several years ago & the dermographism stopped. I’ve taken Attarax since 5th grade (I’m almost 58). While taking St. John’s wort dermographism was dormant. Became sepsis two years ago, had to have two surgeries afterwards and I stopped St. John’s wort. That’s when I discovered it wasn’t gone just dormant. Currently I’m off again after starting new medication, Dr said I could use it. Planning to order soon. Also when I started carnivore I stopped all herbal medicine, herbal tea & supplements for a year. Wanted to see how I did with just diet. I’m gradually adding some things back.

I don’t know if there’s a reaction between St. John’s wort and Gabapentin. Last time I checked it was about 300 drugs. Link below says 600. Honestly I don’t know what’s true when it’s listed on websites that are most likely paid for by big pharma, no proof but I wouldn’t put it past them to control sites like webmd, gov & university sites. Google and other sites algorithm suppresses herbal medicine and essential oil sites that aren’t affiliated with gov & university hospital sites. I normally search on YouTube, instagram and yandex (I’ve noticed yandex search is bringing the same sites as google ow. I wonder if they have been taken over also), Instagram isn’t easy, I follow a lot of herbalists accounts so that helps. I’m not certified or formally trained in herbal medicine. I’ve researched herbs, toxins in food, body products and cleaning products since 2013. A few years later got into essential oils. I know a lot but not enough to give advice other than my own experiences. I should get an herbal medicine book. Ordered on Amazon isn’t recommended, they are changing or taking out pages of herbal medicine and essential oil education books. I have bought a couple books that were not helpful unlike what the reviews and experts advised. I prefer to research online instead of spending $$$ on books that aren’t useful. If you are interested in this maybe used books at thrift and used books stores if you are in a large area. I have never found such books in my rural area.

https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/st-john-s-wort.html

I asked my doctor about taking St. John’s with estrogen. Thankfully she doesn’t seem to be anti natural medication. She said it probably wouldn’t make affect it. (It will cause birth control ineffective. I’m way past that stage😊)

I’d ask the doctor. Fingers crossed her doctor isn’t so closed minded. However, don’t expect a doctor to know. They aren’t trained in anything but writing RX. Don’t get training on supplements, vitamins, minerals or nutrition. If anything they get a few hours of nutrition. Which isn’t helpful because they and nutritionists are taught the food piramid and the other lies. Fiber is good & butter, beef, eggs & bacon, etc is bad.

I’d do my own research. If nothing else if it were me I’d see get on the medication for a bit and then try St. John’s. If it makes the RX stop working you will know very quickly.

Please be aware Gabapentin can affect your mind. If I take it too often I’m very forgetful. Thankfully my husband notices and tells me. I’m not 100% that’s from the RX and maybe it’s the multiple chronic conditions making me loopy. For almost 20 years I took a lot of medication just to keep my head above water. My daughter was young and it helped me be a mom instead of being in bed. I stopped almost everything a few years ago. Now if I take 1/4 tizanidine (muscle relaxer) I’m knocked out. You build up a tolerance. I can’t believe I used to function taking two pills and now 1/4 pill knocks me on my but.

I’m researching to try to find more info from your comment on (I think Sunday) about your mom. It will probably take several days. I’ve got my two year old granddaughter a couple 12 hour days. Thursday I’ll probably be recovering from that. I’m not online a lot here or anywhere. I’ve been dizzy off and on a few weeks and headaches. I’m thinking it’s from a new medication or maybe a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Hopefully after stopping that medication things will correct itself.

I can keep replying here or DM. I don’t remember how to DM🤦🏻‍♀️ Whatever works for you. I’m praying your mom feels better. By the way if you get the chance research nervine herbs and supplements. Mushrooms are awesome, but you have to be careful. There’s a lot of companies that might not have quality products. It’s the latest rage, there’s many less than ideal companies. Just like CBD & essential oils, mushrooms are very popular and that brings out the snake oil salesman for profits. Most supplement companies are junk, sorry you gotta research those also. Also adaptogens (Adaptogens are herbs, roots, and plant substances like mushrooms that help the body manage stress and restore balance after stressful situations, potentially enhancing physical and mental performance. They're known for strengthening the body's ability to cope with various stressors). I don’t mind sharing the sources I use for herbs and supplements. Might be good to get others suggestions as well once you decide on what to try. Just like with medicine start only one new natural med or supplement for a few months to determine if it’s helpful. This is a lot of information if you aren’t familiar. Take your time. Maybe get mom an RX that can get her stable and continue your research to determine what’s best for her to start. You didn’t mention her age or if she’s independent, not asking. Taking herbs isn’t just popping a pill once a day. Most herbs have to be taken about three times a day. I prefer herbal tinctures (made with alcohol) or herbal tincture made with glycerin. It works for me, I don’t work and am home most days. When I travel I have herbal pills in the same herb for convenient. For myself the tincture works better. Nothing wrong with taking herb pills instead.

I was on the way home from a long weekend on Sunday when I read your reply’s. Just getting around to you. Thanks for the words of blessings, that’s very kind. I try not to let life’s challenges get in my way & especially my mood. Pain sucks but you can’t let it control you. We all have to deal with something in life. I really hope your mom finds relief very soon. If she’s able water therapy is very helpful. Most hospitals have a pool and aquatic program. One of my local hospitals has one on one water therapy and a class that meets three times a week. I’ve done it in the past and it helps a lot. Massages are expensive but well worth it. Ice packs and heating pads are simple and can help a lot. If she has a lot of nerve pain lidocaine injections and patches have helped me. There’s at least three kinds of neuropathy. I have peripheral neuropathy, it’s like electrical zapps from one place to another. Thankfully it’s not as bad as in years past. Years ago I was having them in my back several times a day. My doctor advised me to mark the zapp spots and take photo. Over a month went by and I had a road map to the zapps. At an appointment she gave me lidocaine injections in those areas. It’s been about seven years and it hasn’t returned. Occasionally I get it in my leg, nothing bad.

FYI: if she is able to get a lidocaine RX insurance won’t pay unless you have had shingles or herpes. They did for years and then stopped paying. My doctor asked did I have either and didn’t want details. I said, herpes, fever blisters are herpes. They are available over the counter but if insurance pays might be cheaper depending on your coverage. Lidocaine ointment is available but patch is better coverage. I have both on hand. Hard to get a patch on some places.

Apologies if I’ve repeated myself. Just wanted to respond with a few things. Hopefully will get back in touch in a few days with some helpful information. Blessings to you, mom & family.

***Edit: Gabapentin is on the list of drugs with interactions. Again, I sometimes think this is to keep us away from a good herbal medicine. I’m not an expert at all.

There was a link in my long winded reply that had gabapentin listed. I haven’t used it very long and I’m trying to find other sources. If she’s been on it a while it wouldn’t hurt to try St. John’s wort. She would know if it makes the gabapentin not work. I’m not educated in pharmaceuticals or herbs and this is what I’d do for myself. Look at Richard Wheelen website, he’s got patient stories using certain herbs. It’s possible he has something related to her condition. Also, essential oil can help headaches. You can get a roll on (all ready pre blended). Plant Therapy, Eden’s Garden & Aromatics International & Rocky Mountain Oils are just a few that’s reputable and have quality products. I’ve used all but Rocky Mountain oils. Plant Therapy has excellent customer service and a blog. Eden’s Garden has search or blog for certain conditions. If you can’t find what you are looking for email and ask. Also look into CBD oils.