moonm

Check with your doc but I don't think you want to pull at the scabs ... it'll heal better if you don't.

Hey guys, my internist prescribed Gabapentin for the treatment of the neuropathic pain. As he explained it to me Gabapentin was originally developed to treat seizures but is now also used for nerve-related pain. Dosages range from 100mg - 600mg ... my doctor prescribed a 300mg dosage, which I can take up to 3x a day. He expects this will reduce the pain by about 50%. He also said the pain will eventually go away, no way to tell when but hopefully sometime in the next few months. Anyway I'm sharing this in case anyone else ends up in my position someday. A bummer but I'll deal with it.

ok, that's the most helpful input i've received so far. sounds like you didn't have any pain?

How extensive was your numbness and how long did it last?

I appreciate the concern. If anyone has experience with these symptoms, i.e., sensitivity and pain from nerve-related damage, please let me know. I'm really interested in the prognosis and any possible treatments.

I had a hair transplant 15 days ago ... experiencing intense pain (and numbness) from the donor area up to the top of my scalp. Spoke with doctor, he thought the pain would diminish by now but it hasn't. I strongly suspect I suffered nerve damage during the surgery. It's not the numbness that bothers me nearly as much as the pain. Very difficult to function, sleep, etc. What are the chances this pain is permanent? Also are there any treatments/fixes?

I had the surgery 2 weeks ago today, and the sutures came out on Monday. Regrettably the pain has not gotten any better. It is just like your experience, very tender and painful to the touch. As I mentioned earlier this is a new experience, as my prior transplants did not involved this kind of pain. Anyway the past couple days I've been concerned that this condition is permanent! I won't make it if it is. But if you say it will go away in the next month then I feel better about the situation. I guess I'll just tough it out.

Ok, not to press the matter, but if I hear you right it's not just the numbness that lasted for awhile, but the pain too? Is that right? I'd feel better if I knew my experience isn't entirely unusual.

Was your pain related to the numbness, i.e., nerve-damage related pain? I had two prior transplants where the pain was gone in 2-3 days, no subsequent numbness or pain. But this is different, severe pain and numbness together, extending all the way from the donor line up to the crown of my head. My head hurts when it rests on the pillow, it's that intense. Clearly something happened to my nerves during surgery. Did you experience this type of pain, and if so, what to do?

Did you also have pain along with the numbness? This pain is darn near unbearable. How did you deal with it or did it just go away on its own?

OK, thanks. Were you given any prescriptions or other treatment to deal with that pain?

Thanks for the reply. I'm experiencing the latter, the intense sharp pain, and given the accompanying numbness I suppose there's been some nerve damage. The pain is intense enough that it hurts when my head touches anything, even my pillow, making sleep difficult. Is that normal, and do patients with similar experiences always see the nerves regrow? This Thursday will be 2 weeks since my surgery. Should I go see a neurologist now or wait awhile?

I had a hair transplant nearly two weeks ago and am experiencing intense pain and sensitivity, both in my recipient area and in the back of the scalp, at and above the donor area. The pain is a severe tingling sensation, present at all times and even more painful to the touch. There is also some numbness too. Thought it would improve by now but it hasn't. I've spoken with the doctor who indicates that is some nerve/neuro damage that should repair itself in the next week, if not he will refer me to a specialist. Anyway would welcome input from others who have experienced similar symptoms, especially 1) how long this pain/sensitivity might last, and 2) what treatments if any are available.