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4619045 tn?1361132610

Don't know what to do :(

I have no insurance and I can't take this anymore!  Have delt with suspected MS 5 yrs fr those that don't know

2 nights ago my left ring finger felt so cold it was burning and tingling for the whole night

Yesterday walking in store my right leg muscles cramped all up and right foot numb, left store and cramping in leg lasted all night, weak walking on that leg and so painful :'(

Today woke up with Trigeminal neuralgia like someone is using a pic ax stabbing the back of my left eye and on and off electric shock feelings surging through it

I can't take this and I need answers!!!! Every two weeks I deal with the TN in this eye and left side of face:(

If I went to ER would it be free care ???? I don't know what to do
13 Responses
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667078 tn?1316000935
I took Tegretol with no issues. Everyone does not get every side effect. If you do get bad side effects they try something else. I use a combination of Western and Eastern Medicine. If you have TN you need something strong there is not much choice unless you want to tough it out.

I finally got off all anti seizure drugs. They had me on 4 at one time. I finally went to a private pain clinic. They have me on just a few medications. It takes a lot of trial and error this way. It is cheaper in the long run since I do not have 33 prescriptions a month. The Neurologist kept adding never taking away. They use Psychotherapy for pain as well at the pain clinic and hypnosis. Things like Mindfulness.

You can do Mindfulness Meditation free off the internet and with books from the library. I follow a Buddhist Monk named Thicht Nhat Hahn, he is very practical and easy to follow. I have had a lot better pain control just working on my breathing and focusing on here and now and not the past and future.

I have had MS since 1965 and I have two kinds of Cancer. I am very happy these days.

My cancer is not curable and I have $10,000 in Cancer debt I do not have. I am in the best place I have ever been in my life. I love my husband and have great friends. I am able to live with a lot of pain these days. I am doing things I never thought I would do like riding horses. I found a therapy riding program on Craigslist. I do discount Yoga and Reiki though a Cancer support program. I found I had to ask and look locally for help. My medical is expensive but I just make payments.

hang in there it gets better.

Alex

Alex
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
Oh just noticed when I had to re read that u stated it as an example, gotcha hahaha nothing is computing lately with me ugh
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
I agree !  That is probably why I don't take meds, i stay away as realistically that i can.  I always try alternative holistic approaches as much as i can :) Ugh sometimes side effects can be worse then a problem :(

I don't google about MS so not quite sypure where you got  that from, the MS is something my doctors have been testing and looking into with my history and current symptoms.  What I did look up was the nerve medication, I have to look up effects and such personally due to numerous allergies so it is very important to me on that level.

Thanks for your input!  It is needed right now
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ok, take this comment with a grain of salt.  No med comes without a trade off.  There is no free lunch.  Anything that works usually has a side effect or something you have to accept.

That said, I do hope that you get some answers and some relief.  Your drugist is usually your best bet for asking what you can take.  Mine always insists on a consult with the pharmacist on any new medication that I have not taken before.  

The hospital where I worked was forbidden to ask for your insurance until after you had been treated.  Seemed it violated some law, I don't remember which.  I do know there are hospitals that cannot turn you away if you present with anything needing their ER attention (bear in mind needing ER attention).  So you could leave out the MS and focus on pain, TN would be an acceptable reason to check in to the ER.  I certainly treated enough "repeat" patients in the ER to know they found ways around not getting seen!  Unfortunately, they were the ones who burdened our staff beyond belief. There are also free clinics and the hospitals usually have a list of them.  If not, the health department will.

Stop asking Dr Google FIRST, he never deletes anything and can often cause you more grief than good.  For example, if you google any symptom, MS will pop up about 80-90% of the time!  They cover their rear!  

Am hoping your assistance comes in to help you but Alex has also given you some very good advice!  
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
Thank you PastorDan

If you look it up it explains so much!  TN is found in I believe 4% of MS patients,
The pain can be very sharp and around the eye, cheek, nose, lips and jaws, sometimes it can be present around the ears.  All the locations depend on which part of the TN that effected.  5 branches of the nerve extend into different areas of the face.

This is by far the worst :(. Sadly it progresses and shortens in remissions :(

I want answers to all the I have been out through.  This Neuro better be prepared!

Helpful - 0
751951 tn?1406632863
So very sorry, 77.  It might ne small comfort, but your description of the ice oick in the eye sounds exactly like two or three recent instances I've experienced.  Thank God hey were each over in a flash.  I did not know that this was.a possible TN issue, but assumednit was related to the ongoing feeling i have behing my eyes, namely a sense.of severe bruising.  I figured that was Optic Neuritis, a.k.a. ON.  Now i have to think about having ON & TN together?  Well, one more nail in limboland's coffin for me, i will hope.  
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
Thank u so much !!!

The first site that came up was a huge warning box :(

I will check out your link, thank u !

I have never felt pain like this, I can't take much more
Helpful - 0
572651 tn?1530999357
I am so sorry you are dealing with TN and no insurance.  That is doubly painful.  I'm not sure where you found the information on this drug, but I am pretty sure if it was deadly for one in 6 people, it wouldn't still be on the market.

drugs.com has a pretty good listing of the side effects of this drug.
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/tegretol-side-effects.html

Goodluck with the doctor this week- I hope it goes better and you get some help.
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
OMG as soon as u look up this med there is severe warnings all over it!!!!

1 in 6 ppl can have a deathly skin reaction!!! Not taking this crap!

Any suggestions?? I will talk with Neuro this week
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
Have any f u taken Tegretol ???? It's fr 100 mg
Helpful - 0
4619045 tn?1361132610
Thank u for comments!!!

It got so severe I went to ER

DX Trigeminal Neuralgia, Nerve meds and order to see Neurologist this week!  Hopefully some state insurance will kick in that the hospital started filing for me.  Finally get to see a Neuro!  I can't take this anymore :'(
Helpful - 0
2015036 tn?1332997788
Depending upon where you live, their may be someplace you can go...  Usually the main county hospital (think of where they air lift accident victims) will have a way to assess your ability to pay.  It's not ideal, but they may at least be able to help.  It seems like prednisone, tizanidine, and gabapentin are what you need most.  A GP could help with that.
Helpful - 0
667078 tn?1316000935
I feel for you. Health Care is not a right is the U.S. unless you are dying and then only while you are in mortal danger. For example having cancer does not get you free care at a ER.  I wish it were different.

Can you at least find a GP who takes cash to treat symptoms? My GP treats those without insurance for cash. Its not cheap but no health care is I am afraid. The ER is the worst place to treat or diagnose MS. They are not designed to help. They are for Heart Attacks, bad cuts, broken bones, etc. The first thing most ERs will ask for is a Credit Card. Some Places have Free Clinics but they are rare. Ours is turning people away.

I had no insurance for two years and only went to a GP that took cash. I got less care but enough to get by. I had to only use low cost medications and go in when it was necessary. I had relatives help pay the GP bills.

You do not necessarily need a diagnosis as much as relief from symptoms which a GP can give you somewhat without a diagnosis.

Alex



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