Not sure if anyone has an answer to my question...

[michelleric]

This is a tough one.  I had 2 crowns last week, which went on the 2 teeth that I recently had Root Canals on.  It was a 3 hour appt.

Well, about 75% of finishing the 1st tooth, I felt the back of my head/scalp pain kick in.  It got worse, and the tears were streaming fast.

My dentist stopped and I tried to explain to him all my painful woes of head/face/ear pain, etc, that it is almost a "normal" part of my life at this point.  He asked me if I wanted to come back for the other tooth on another visit. I told him just do it now, because it is too late, and I don't want to go through this again. The next 2 hours were spent with my mouth open wide, and the tears continued through the whole appt,  I know the dentist felt awful as well.

So every day it is worsening, and I am miserable. (What else is new these days.)  

Here is my question:

Yesterday, my eye started hurting.  It is MUCH worse today, and hurts when I move my eye.  I can't tell if it my skin around my eye that is hurting or my actual eye itself.  My whole side of my face is burning and extremely painful.  Of the last month, I have only had about 5 painfree days.  I am tired of being in pain, to say the least.

I am not sure who to call tomorrow. My MS neuro, the pain neuro or my neuro-ophthalmologst.  I am taking percocet, I am supposed to take 1 pill every 6 hours.  The only way I made it through this weekend, was taking 2 pills every 4 hours. I know that is not how it is directed, but I needed it.  I am running low and do need to call one of these docs about that as well.

So, do any of you think I could have ON as well, or do you think it is just the TN that is making my skin hurt around my eye.  My vision is fine in that eye. Can TN  set off ON?? Anyone know?

Thanks for reading this,

Michelle

[tjj3761]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about all your pain.

I am assuming you probably had Novocaine at the dentist.  I had found a website that states not to use epinephrine in the local anesthetic as it aggravates the nerves in the face.

The last time I had an extraction, I called ahead and asked them to have on hand the local without the epinephrine, and they did so.

The first onset of my TN was after a tooth extraction 7 years ago; that is when all my severe problems started.

Also Neurontin (gabapentin--generic form) is wonderful for TN pain, as well as Lyrica.

Feel better....

terri

[rendean]

Ditto what Mary said!!!!!!!!!!!

[twopack]

Did you call your MS neuro Michelle?  She is responsible to help you.

What happened to this guy's promise to you?  Does he forget who you are and what he said about your case before?  Did he do anything to at least get you into the office sooner so he can lay an eye on your painful face?  One look at you and there is no question about the pain you are having.

Did he say anything about increasing the Trileptic?  I'm certainly hoping there is something better for you than narcotics to control your pain.  The fact is that they need to get you through THIS episode before anything else.

This whole thing is crazy!!!

Can you tell how MAD I am?

Please let us know the direction you are taking and how you are doing.

Mary

[michelleric]

Thank you all.  Well, called the pain neuro and waited for call.  School nurse called and one of my kids was having an asthma (attack) issues.  Called the neuro, left a message to call my cell.

Went to the school, pediatrician then home.  missed the call, doc did not call the cell.

Finally spoke with him, doesnt feel comfortable giving me a script for any meds since he only saw me once.  He said I should call the dentist!  (but he did say I can continue taking the perc. 2 at a time, and call when I run out.)

I told him I have 8 more so I will run out soon, that is when he said he is not comfortable.  

I am frustrated and overwhelmed with pain.  Just when you think you are going to get help....

Michelle

[rendean]

(((Dear Michele))),

Sorry to hear of face pain yet again! I would take the shotgun pattern and call all 3 docs. You don't need to experience an extra second of pain...you've been through too much already.

My quick research says the eye CAN be affected by neuralgia. I would call ALL 3 and get medication back-up.  Have you considered steroids , or were they not helpful previously?

Sending gentle comforting hugs. Please keep us updated if possible.

I haven't said much more than anyone else did because they gave you good advice.

Gentle hugs,
Ren

[essdipity]

Michelle, in your shoes I'd call all 3 doctors (not necessarily telling that I'd done so). See who responds first and what they say. You need better pain relief and can't rely too long on extra percocets.

I'd characterize this as a medical emergency, not ER kind, but still---

You need help here, so state things that way.

Please let us know.

ess

[michelleislay]

oh no michelle, that truly S-U-C-K-S!

i sure hope that whomever you call has a good answer for you.  i agree with twopack, perhaps try them all and see what sounds the most helpful for you.

thinking of you...

xo michelle

[HVAC]

After my crown which was an upper recently. My face hurt for about a month in the eye socket. I did not have a root canal. That area is still tender to the touch. We forget like any traumatic surgery dental surgery takes time to heal.

I would never advise anyone not to contact a Neurologist. especially if a nerve was affected.

Alex

[steph74]

Hi Michelle,

I'm sorry to hear the pain is so bad right now.  I have heard mixed things about pain behind the eye and whether it can be caused by TN.  (On the left I have pain in all three branches and sometimes have *bad* pain behind my eye.)  A few months back I had a bout of suspected ON, but there wasn't much vision change and no pupil changes, so they weren't sure.  The pain was very different than TN pain (for me) and at first felt like sandpaper behind my eye when I moved it and was very achy.  Call your neuro and ask who he/she wants you to see.

As far as the pecoset, my rx says 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours (the dosage is "5 325").  So I don't think it's out of reason how you're taking it, but let the drs know you are needing it that often.  They need to know how your pain is responding.

Feel better.

Stephanie

[twopack]

Hey Michelle.  I'm still trying to get some positive energy to penetrate through your pain.  I do hope the meds have more success.  I'd call everyone tomorrow and make it a contest about who can come up with the best answer.

I'm serious about that.  The neuro-ophthalmologist can give you an opinion about the ON.  If he thinks that's a factor, it might make sense to give the steroids a try.  

Let the other two neuros know what is going on and that you are in serious need of a prescription.  I'm sure they will respond as both have told you they understand you need relief.  They will want to know you are not getting that presently.

Since MS neuro referred you to Pain neuro, the Rx should/will probably come from Pain neuro.  MS neuro needs to be aware so that she can give you a script if Pain neuro doesn't come through by about 3pm.  Don't wait until later in the day as some narcotic scripts need to be picked up at the office.  By law, they can NOT be faxed or called in to the pharmacy.  Be prepared babe.

In the mean time, there is a drawing on the TNA Facial Pain Association site that you might find helpful.  It illustrates the distribution of the branches of the trigeminal nerve.  Lots of interesting info there for when you feel better and can take it in.  That day WILL come for you.  I'm a believer!!

http://www.fpa-support.org/aboutfp/index.html

Love ya Friend.
Mary