postherpetic neuralgia
"My 81 year old mom w/dementia got Shingles on rt head/ then Postherpetic Neuralgia. Dr. started her on 100 mg Gabapentin, told to titrate up to 300 mg. Taught mom Lamaze breathing which reduced the pain duration from 60 min episodes down to 5-7 min.& reduced pain from Level 9 to 6/7.  I showed Dr a video of mom during Level 9 - I said"Dr. you keep calling it Shingles. I call it Postherpetic Neuralgia!"  Dr then said, "I am calling it PHN.  Titrate her to 3,600 mg!"  Mom is now taking 1200 mg 3 x a day + 3000 mg ExStrength Tylenol.  It took10 days to conquer side effects (dry mouth, scratchy eye, constipation, blurry vision, stability, confusion) Bedwetting began at week 4 but is getting better  Pain is now 3-5. Now in 5th week of Gabapentin"