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Dental pain
Two weeks in a row I have place a call to me dentist requesting an 'emergency' appointment because of extreme pain. Despite a crappy mouth full of teeth that have been worked on repeatedly over the years, he finds NOTHING physical to fix. He has done exams and xrays and finds nothing obvious. Nothing in my mouth reacts when he taps, wiggles,
I am experiencing extreme pain, but can't pinpoint which tooth might cause the problem because the pain moves. And it doesn't last long, fortunately. This has been going on for about a month. I woke this morning at 5:30 again in pain, but just saw the dentist yesterday. At times it hurts on top and then sometimes it throbs on the bottom. The bones in my face are feeling the pain at times. This isn't just casual pain, but one that reduces me to muttering not so gentile words and popping handfuls of NAISDs, to say nothing of bringing me to tears.
Fortunately the longest this has lasted is about 20 minutes of pain. I am on a very strong antibiotic right now thanks to another UTI, so we know if it were bacterial/infection, it would be addressed and should be better.
Could Trigeminal Neuralgia be such a come-and-go problem? Anyone else have experience they can share?
Laura
I am experiencing extreme pain, but can't pinpoint which tooth might cause the problem because the pain moves. And it doesn't last long, fortunately. This has been going on for about a month. I woke this morning at 5:30 again in pain, but just saw the dentist yesterday. At times it hurts on top and then sometimes it throbs on the bottom. The bones in my face are feeling the pain at times. This isn't just casual pain, but one that reduces me to muttering not so gentile words and popping handfuls of NAISDs, to say nothing of bringing me to tears.
Fortunately the longest this has lasted is about 20 minutes of pain. I am on a very strong antibiotic right now thanks to another UTI, so we know if it were bacterial/infection, it would be addressed and should be better.
Could Trigeminal Neuralgia be such a come-and-go problem? Anyone else have experience they can share?
Laura
I have facial pain and believe it's TN, due to the severity of the pain and different sensations I experience, including tingling, electrical jolt feeling, and burning. I read before that having 10 grams or less saturated fats a day helps. That makes sense, because MS has to do with inflammation and fats cause inflammation. My facial pains got better after I started having less saturated fat. Eating less saturated fats and less sugar help my other MS-like symptoms, too.
Thanks everyone for sharing all these thoughts and ideas.
No, I've not had TN before and sure hope this isn't the start of it now
Yes, I can bite without pain. I can also tolerate heat and cold on that side.
I use sensodyne toothpast and the crest pro health which is the same thing. Have used that for a good 4-6 months.
Last week the dentist did file a bit of tooth down for an alignment adjustment, but that obviously wasn't the problem.
I have taken aspirin and ibuprofen when the extreme pain has hit and the pain did go away in 20-30 minutes (seemed like hours!) - but I don't know if the pain stopped because of the NSAIDs or because it was done for the time being.
I lean toward thinking it is tooth/periodontic problem because I have had lots of dental work. I see the dentist again on the 14th so maybe we can pinpoint something by then.
As luck would have it, I see my MS nurse on Monday and have my infusion. I'm starting a new drug trial - I'll do another post on that one - and I get seen by them regularly for the next few months.
you all are the best!!
hugs, Laura
No, I've not had TN before and sure hope this isn't the start of it now
Yes, I can bite without pain. I can also tolerate heat and cold on that side.
I use sensodyne toothpast and the crest pro health which is the same thing. Have used that for a good 4-6 months.
Last week the dentist did file a bit of tooth down for an alignment adjustment, but that obviously wasn't the problem.
I have taken aspirin and ibuprofen when the extreme pain has hit and the pain did go away in 20-30 minutes (seemed like hours!) - but I don't know if the pain stopped because of the NSAIDs or because it was done for the time being.
I lean toward thinking it is tooth/periodontic problem because I have had lots of dental work. I see the dentist again on the 14th so maybe we can pinpoint something by then.
As luck would have it, I see my MS nurse on Monday and have my infusion. I'm starting a new drug trial - I'll do another post on that one - and I get seen by them regularly for the next few months.
you all are the best!!
hugs, Laura
So sorry u r suffering w this Lu. I have heard TN can cause this symptom. I don't think u have had TN before, have u?
Fortunately I have not had the teeth issue w my TN. Must only b the 2 upper branches of the trigeminal nerve that cause me symptoms. I am lucky the lower branch has no problems knock wood.
Do u have an appt w ur neuro coming up? I would give a call.
XO,
Michelle
Fortunately I have not had the teeth issue w my TN. Must only b the 2 upper branches of the trigeminal nerve that cause me symptoms. I am lucky the lower branch has no problems knock wood.
Do u have an appt w ur neuro coming up? I would give a call.
XO,
Michelle
Hi Lu!
Haven't been here in quite some time, and saw this. I have heard dental pain like yours, can be due to TN. You have not experienced TN before, have u? I don't think so but can't remember.
I have never had this part of TN (knock wood). I think "only" the 2 upper branches of the trigeminal nerve r affected. I have lucked out w having the lowest branch involved.
R u due to see ur neuro soon? When was ur last MRI?
Thinking of you my friend,
xo,
Michelle
Haven't been here in quite some time, and saw this. I have heard dental pain like yours, can be due to TN. You have not experienced TN before, have u? I don't think so but can't remember.
I have never had this part of TN (knock wood). I think "only" the 2 upper branches of the trigeminal nerve r affected. I have lucked out w having the lowest branch involved.
R u due to see ur neuro soon? When was ur last MRI?
Thinking of you my friend,
xo,
Michelle
Heh Laura, so sorry to hear about your ailments. I will agree that the tooth pain is not fun, I had the same thing about 4 months ago, started on a Wednesday, could not eat much on Thursday, and Friday called to make appts. Well, NOPE , we can do it this weekend, unless it is an emergency .... well, I thought it was, but waitied out the weekend, and went to the Dentist on the Tuesday, and he said the same thing that you were told, they did all the tests, and x-rays, and things, to a cost of 150.00, and decided that one tooth might be a little more pointed on one corner, so he did an occulsion, ( which looked like a nail file) , and 75.00 later again, I WAS HEALED !!! or so he said....
I felt kinda dumb, when I told hubby that there was NOTHING wrong, and still had to have mushroom soup for dinner.....
Luckily, that was the worst pain, and it lasted for over a week, but not happen again. thanks goodness. So, I hope Laura that this is not something that can be with you for a long time.
My MS clinic Dr. ( psychriast) told me that it very well could be the trigeminal neuralgia, but would not swear to it.
I hope they find a pain control method soon, I know about the gabapentin, and all that, but Lyrica I can't take because of my mother having such extreme reaction to it, they don't want to risk it.
Keep us posted,
(((HUGS)) to you,
Candy
I felt kinda dumb, when I told hubby that there was NOTHING wrong, and still had to have mushroom soup for dinner.....
Luckily, that was the worst pain, and it lasted for over a week, but not happen again. thanks goodness. So, I hope Laura that this is not something that can be with you for a long time.
My MS clinic Dr. ( psychriast) told me that it very well could be the trigeminal neuralgia, but would not swear to it.
I hope they find a pain control method soon, I know about the gabapentin, and all that, but Lyrica I can't take because of my mother having such extreme reaction to it, they don't want to risk it.
Keep us posted,
(((HUGS)) to you,
Candy
Laura, what happens when you chew? I read somewhere that the difference between TN and TMJ is that TMJ will be exacerbated by chewing, while TN is not. Hope you get some relief soon. Perhaps be on the conservative side with the dentist and any treatment he suggests until you can get your neuro's opinion? Good luck.
Sounds an awful lot like how my TN first reared its ugly head. Excruciating tooth ache feeling, but moving from my top left molars to my bottom molars to my jaw to both up and down molars and so on.
Dentist confirmed it to be TN. I'm taking 1200mg Gabapentin daily to combat the TN as well as other neurological pains, zings, and zaps. It's working for me, and when I have breakthrough pain I pop an extra 300mg at bed time, topped off with a couple Tylenol extra strength if it's real bad.
Yes, for me TN is a come-and-go problem. This is something you should share with your Neuro. It could be MS related (in my case I think it is), but even if it isn't I think it's something your Neuro will treat.
Sorry to hear you're having this painful experience.
Take care,
Mike
Dentist confirmed it to be TN. I'm taking 1200mg Gabapentin daily to combat the TN as well as other neurological pains, zings, and zaps. It's working for me, and when I have breakthrough pain I pop an extra 300mg at bed time, topped off with a couple Tylenol extra strength if it's real bad.
Yes, for me TN is a come-and-go problem. This is something you should share with your Neuro. It could be MS related (in my case I think it is), but even if it isn't I think it's something your Neuro will treat.
Sorry to hear you're having this painful experience.
Take care,
Mike
Lulu,
At times what I call mild TN presents like that. But after the really bad TN it doesn't seem to bother me as much any more, even though it still happens. It still hurts like crazy in the same way as the TN does, just not as long.
Dennis
At times what I call mild TN presents like that. But after the really bad TN it doesn't seem to bother me as much any more, even though it still happens. It still hurts like crazy in the same way as the TN does, just not as long.
Dennis
I'm past due for my checkup. I'll mention (MedHelp: please forgive me for using a brand name!) Sensodyne toothpaste. When I use it regularly, it helps desensitize my teeth.
Oh, I know that "lightning bolt" pain all too well!
Oh, I know that "lightning bolt" pain all too well!
I do hope this doesn't turn out to be TN! But of course you do want to know what's going on so you can treat it. (This sounds just like a general MS discussion, no?)
One thing to keep in mind is that there's such a thing as referred pain, and it's very common in dental issues. That can make tracking things down even harder. There are people who swear the problem is with X tooth, only for the dentist to find something wrong in another tooth that doesn't hurt. As long as it's on the same side, upper vs. lower doesn't matter.
When there's nothing wrong with ANY tooth, as with you, things get weirder. I have a tooth that starts to hurt, but mildly, and this can go on for weeks. Then presto, the pain is gone, only to reappear months later, same place. I haven't pursued this other than have the dentist check it at a regular appointment, since it doesn't make the pain grade for TN.
I have to wonder if it's cracked inside, though. This generally doesn't show up on x-ray or dental exam. I have had that happen twice before, though it was just a little sensitivity to indicate it, not really pain, and the dentist could only guess what was wring. There was nothing to do about it until the whole tooth broke, and then a crown was the only answer. There seems to be a genetic tooth weakness in my family. Boo.
For you, if you've inherited crappy teeth needing lots of dental work, chances are the place or places that are so painful have had work done on them. They might be more likely to crack than other teeth (though mine were perfectly healthy and previously 'un-dentisted').
All this is just to give you another avenue for exploration since I'm hoping it's not TN. I'm sure those more in the know than I will step up here.
Hugs,
ess
One thing to keep in mind is that there's such a thing as referred pain, and it's very common in dental issues. That can make tracking things down even harder. There are people who swear the problem is with X tooth, only for the dentist to find something wrong in another tooth that doesn't hurt. As long as it's on the same side, upper vs. lower doesn't matter.
When there's nothing wrong with ANY tooth, as with you, things get weirder. I have a tooth that starts to hurt, but mildly, and this can go on for weeks. Then presto, the pain is gone, only to reappear months later, same place. I haven't pursued this other than have the dentist check it at a regular appointment, since it doesn't make the pain grade for TN.
I have to wonder if it's cracked inside, though. This generally doesn't show up on x-ray or dental exam. I have had that happen twice before, though it was just a little sensitivity to indicate it, not really pain, and the dentist could only guess what was wring. There was nothing to do about it until the whole tooth broke, and then a crown was the only answer. There seems to be a genetic tooth weakness in my family. Boo.
For you, if you've inherited crappy teeth needing lots of dental work, chances are the place or places that are so painful have had work done on them. They might be more likely to crack than other teeth (though mine were perfectly healthy and previously 'un-dentisted').
All this is just to give you another avenue for exploration since I'm hoping it's not TN. I'm sure those more in the know than I will step up here.
Hugs,
ess
My presenting symptom was TN ... it is "usually" less than 2-3 minutes of lightning bolt (lancinating) pain, although the residual pain sometimes lingers (which you can breathe through/visualize and help it go away). The top/bottom thing would be different branches of the trigeminal nerve.
I started with a few episodes a day, made it up to 14-20 episodes every day, then finally it went away, over a period of about six weeks. The gold standard for treating TN is carbamazepine -- my neuro was disappointed that my doctor didn't prescribe this, because if it works, that pretty much confirms a TN Dx. Instead my doc monkeyed around with gabapentin and Lyrica, which worked only at levels that made me a zombie.
Often people get teeth pulled thinking it is dental issues, when it's not.
My pain was behind eye/nose and upper jaw -- if yours is upper and lower jaw it would be perhaps a lower branch.
If you have got to the point where you "fear" the next time it hits, I would suggest that perhaps it is TN. I would call your PCP or neuro.
I'm so sorry -- TN is awful.
(Finally, a question I can answer from limbo-land ... )
I started with a few episodes a day, made it up to 14-20 episodes every day, then finally it went away, over a period of about six weeks. The gold standard for treating TN is carbamazepine -- my neuro was disappointed that my doctor didn't prescribe this, because if it works, that pretty much confirms a TN Dx. Instead my doc monkeyed around with gabapentin and Lyrica, which worked only at levels that made me a zombie.
Often people get teeth pulled thinking it is dental issues, when it's not.
My pain was behind eye/nose and upper jaw -- if yours is upper and lower jaw it would be perhaps a lower branch.
If you have got to the point where you "fear" the next time it hits, I would suggest that perhaps it is TN. I would call your PCP or neuro.
I'm so sorry -- TN is awful.
(Finally, a question I can answer from limbo-land ... )
I'm not sure about trigeminal neuralgia, but I have some experience with neurologic pain. Does your pain respond to the NSAID's? My foot pain des not. If not, maybe you and your neuro can start the anticonvulsant/antidepressant cocktail quest. It can take a while to find the right one, but when you do, aaaahhhh :-)
Kyle
Kyle
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