|
Subject: Re: trigeminal neuralgia
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area:
Posted by CCF NEURO MD on June 30, 1997 at 10:41:39:
In Reply to: trigeminal neuralgia posted by Jacqueline Allen on May 31, 1997 at 23:46:15:
: This is a follow-up to a previous message. Thankyou so much for the information you gave me. I really appreciate your answering me. I want you to know I finally did have an MRI on my brachial plexus area and my brain. Both were normal
but I still have all the same symptoms and am in pain. The Dr. did dx me with trigeminal neuralgia. The
Tegretol is not working as good as it did in the beginning. Why is that? I take 200mg 3 times a day.
By the time I'm ready for the next dose, the pain is starting to hurt pretty bad. Also, I have been having
the weirdest sensations in my face. It feels like a bug is crawling all over my face and I can't get rid of it.
I rub my face but the sensation is still there. By the way, I had my first blood test while on the the tegretol.
The CBC was normal but a couple of liver enzymes were elevated. Alkaline phosphatase was just under 10 points
higher than norm but the GGT was 3 times higher than norm. I am to have a tegretol level next week. I hope the
doctor doesn't take me off of the tegretol. What other meds control pain for tic douloureaux?
The clavicle area still swells and causes a great deal of pain and no one can say for sure why that is happening.
I just can't accept that after 4 years this would be a phlebitis. I have heard that from 4 different docs that it must
be a phlebitis like one would get in their legs after a blood clot. I have not heard any good reason why this would
happen 4 years later. Mostly, everyone says they don't know why it's happeing. This has been going on since Jan.
You asked if I had radiation--the answer is no, and the cancer was on my left side. The problems I'm having are all
on my right side.
Right now the Dr. said he is just going to help me not be in pain. Do you think this is the right thing
to do? I do not think that is a good thing to do without knowing exactly what is wrong.
I live only 1 hr from the Cleveland Clinic and would be willing to have you examine me and see what your ideas are.
How can I know who you are? You did not sign your name on the first answer you gave me. If you don't want to tell
me on this forum, you can e-mail me at noblejak@bright.net.
I appreciate all your help. Thanks.
=
Dear Jacqueline, Unfortunately, the physician who initially replied to your question has gone on to further speciality training. There are a number of other physicians here who would be happy to see you. I can recommend Dr. Richard Lederman or Dr. Patrick Sweeney. You can arrange an appointment by calling 1-800-223-2273 ext 45559. After reviewing your history and examination, they will be able to offer you a number of further options. For trigeminal neuralgia, common first line treatment is tegretol (can be titrated to higher doses than you are taking), followed by baclofen or dilantin. There are even some surgical options for patients resistant to medications. Because your case is complicated, I agree that a trip up to the Cleveland Clinic would be helpful to you. There is also a vascular medicine department who can give you their opinion on your "phlebitis". Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult you physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
|
|
