After taking 200 mg a day for 5 months I developed hives on my st...

I have been on 1200 to 1500 mg of Gapentin, the generic form of Neurontin since 07/06 and started iching everywhere in my body, even my eyes, ears and tongue, about a month or two ago. My doctor thought it was being caused by Lisinopril and took me off the Lisinopril for a month, but the symptoms persisted. I told him that my nerve pain had gotten worse over the onset of the early autumn and cold weather that we were experiencing this year and he told me to increase the dose of Gapentin, (Neurontin) to 2100 mg per day. Within 24 hrs., the itching symtoms got much worse. On the third day of this, I reduced the dose back to 1200 mg per day and the itching went back to what it was originally. This itching is driving me nuts and after I informed him of my experience, he prescribed Lyrica. My insurance denied the prescription for the following reason: They only approve treatment for Lyrica for the partial onset seizures, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or postherpetic neuralgia when adequate an treatment treatment course of gabapentin and one (1) Tri-Cyclic Antidepressant has failed or is cantraindicated. An adequate trial is defined as documentation of taking the medication for 30 days. When I scratch or rub even my eyes and ears or even the occasional hit of my teeth on my tongue can cause more severe itching and in the case of my skin, anywhere, hives result when I do scratch. I am sure that Gabapentin, (neurontin), is what is causing my itching, so I am decreasing the dose down to 600 mg per day to see if I can live with that. I have been diagnosed per EMG in my right leg for radiculopathy with ongoing denervation and need something to ease the nerve pain I am experiencing, but am not hopeful of getting rid of this itching that results in hives when scratched.