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Avatar universal

dont know what to do-need advice

Started having tn symptoms about a month and a half ago.  Since I had a recent filling I went to the dentist, who sent me to the endodontis, and then the oral surgeon who told me I need to go to a neurologist.  Went to my family doctor who told my I have atypical tn.  I have constant pain, and times with numbness and excruciating pain.  Gave me tegretol, which didnt do anything, and sent me to a neurologist.  Neurologist seemed to no nothing switched my medicine to gabapentin, which makes me really sick, and didnt even have me make a follow up.  In the meantime pain attacks are coming more frequently, and lasting longer.  Family physician told me to increase tegretol dose, and continue gabapentin until I find a new neurologist.  New neuro who I liked tells me to take only tegretol, same dose as before, but spread it out 3 x a day, and running blood work, and will see in 2 weeks.  Week one passed and still having pain attacks every other day.  Call his office to see if they can change meds, and told he doesnt't do that over the phone, they don't have any sooner appointments, and if I'm in pain I should go to the er.  Finally in the end of the conversation the girl said she would leave him a message, but I don't know if she is really going to let him know I called.  I don't know what to do.  The pain is becoming unbarable.  Should I find another doctor, go to a pain medicine doctor?   Help????
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Avatar universal
See following Comment.

NOT A QUESTION. TRIED & TESTED. GOOD LUCK

It works for me, hopefully for the majority. Trial and Error.
Argospete.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have been diagnosed with MS three months ago...followed by TN shortly after.Let me tell you,This is the most terrible pain I have felt in my life,I have had broken femur,mandable,and arm twice.....would take them all over this TM ****! I deal with the symptoms of MS daily and TM along with it.I was given Neuronton 400mg 3 times daily...that was it from my Neurologisist,,,,,does not do a damn thing!!! My primary doctor has prescribed Dilahdid 4mg with oxycodone.....this sounds like a bit too much as far as pain meds go.....yet those with this horrible condition of TM will understand.It also helps with the headeaches I have daily from the MS! Life *****,but ***** more when you have a eurologist who has not a clue what the hell your going threw as far as PAIN!!.....I wish you luck,and if you can tolerate pain meds....ask for them! If your doc does not prescribe them,then demand a pain management clinic who will help!     God bless....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a tooth pulled on May 20 and 2 weeks later got the most excrutiating pain in the socket I've ever felt before.  I went back to the oral surgeon the next day and he could find nothing wrong.  He tried to numb the area to give me a few hours of relief but I couldn't get numb.  He said I should see a neurologist because something could be wrong with my jaw.

I went home and called Washington University (which I thought I was lucky to have here in St. Louis) to get into one of their neurologists, and the woman told me that you have to have a work-up (?) and a diagnosis before one of them will see you, then it takes about 6 months to get in!  Isn't it a diagnosis I am trying to get in for?

I called my internist and he gave me 2 names elsewhere and neither of them could see me for over a month, no matter how much pain I was in.  I happened to have an appointment with an orthodontist who specializes in teeth grinding (since I am a grinder) - this was a week later and the pain had spread to several teeth only on my left side and part of my chin.  He said he thought that was trigeminal neuralgia which he had seen in his 30-year practice before.  Today is Saturday and he is going to call my internist on Monday to tell him the seriousness of looking out for my health.

In looking this condition up on the internet, there are a few things I don't have.  Most sites say that analgesics do not help.  I find that Tylenol (but I can't even wait 3 hours) helps a little.  So that's a good sign.  Most sites say that if you just touch your face it will hurt badly.  I don't have that (yet).  I'm trying very hard to talk myself out of this horrible condition.

But this morning when I woke up the pain in the socket where he pulled that tooth in May hurt almost as bad as it did 2 weeks after he pulled it.

I'm really scared.  I feel very bad that both of you or anyone has this condition.  Oh, also, the internet sites say that the pain does not bother people when they are asleep.  My teeth hurt all through the night.  Maybe it is something else.

Does anyone have an opinion?  I'm having a terrible weekend not being able to think of anything else.

One more thing to add to the mix:  I am tapering off of a benzodiazepine called Klonopin.  One of the documented side effects to coming off of these drugs is tooth pain.  The only problem is that it is only on one side.  Also, I've been tapering since March.  But it is a possibility.  It does seem like a coincidence.  I told this to both the oral surgeon and the orthodontist but they still want me to see a neurologist.

Still would appreciate any opinions or thoughts.

Thanks.  Good luck to both of you.
Helpful - 0
1695384 tn?1306451553
I understand what you are going through!  Just keep taking the Gabapentin 2 or 3 x a day, and it hopefully will start to calm the pain.  Sometimes it just takes a little time to work.  I also saw the dental specialist, and the neurologist. She had MRIs done, but nothing was found.  She told me to keep taking the mediaction and to stop it when the pain stopped. I had a pain-free period for about 3-1/2 months and cut back to 1 pill a day. But then the pains started back again.  I'm back to taking 2 a day.  I haven't read about problems with long term use of Gabapentin, but I'm still concerned.

Seems strange that a lot of people who develope TN,  had it start after some type of dental work.  Mine did, too.  I don't blame the dentist, but I feel that somehow the nerve was damaged during the dental work.  That being the case, I keep hoping and PRAYING that it will also "heal" one day.

I'll be praying for you, too,  and keep me posted on know how things are going.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry pain is left face area, and the ear area  Numbness is only in the chin on the left side only.
Helpful - 0
1613542 tn?1366468543
Where is your pain an numbness at? No one can give you advice on what you should get checked unless you put that on here in detail. for example pain sharp pain down left leg causing numbness in toes. Thanks hope you get some helpful advice soon.

Sissie
Helpful - 0
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