It's important to understand that the majority of your cranial nerves (the 12 paired nerves that make up the nerve network of your head and neck area) terminate in the Trigeminal Nucleus in the brain and is why "referred pain" is common for Oral Cancer patients and one of the reasons that tooth pain is so intense and often seems to radiate through the entire area. FYI, Trigeminal Neuropathy is one of the most painful conditions known to man with very little treatment options, and happens to be the epitome of Head and Neck referred/neuropathic pain.

Now understand that neuropathic pain is generally different than referred pain, which is pain felt in a location different from the origination point. Neuropathy occurs when there is actual nerve damage, or an interruption in the nerve impulses, which wouldn't generally be caused by the tumor pushing on the nerve, only if it invaded the nerve i.e. Perinueral Involvement or PNI. Although generally speaking PNI results in numbness and loss of feeling which is why facial numbness is a symptom of OC. The majority of Neuropathy experienced by H&N cancer patients is caused by resection (surgery) or damage from radiation.

Generally with nerve related pain (which Neurontin/Gabapentin would be prescribed for), will feel like a burning sensation or crushing feeling . If you are experiencing referred pain from the tumor "pushing" on a nerve, it's just going to be discomfort to intense "pain", which you would want to use a narcotic for. Pain should always be controlled at a 3 or under, as pain is the enemy of healing as it puts the body in distress, so it's important not to think about addiction issues, just pain management.

As someone as "experienced" as myself with pain meds can kick them, anyone can in my humble opinion (not that I believe I can in any way be considered humble).

Anyway talk to your Dr and or Pharmacist and try to articulate what type of pain you are experiencing so they may help diagnose which med should work best for you.

Keep your chin up and keep looking for answers.

Eric