I've been taking Tegretol since November which has taken care of pain very well (albeit it is a small dose). For the past few days my teeth have been very painful whenever the top set makes contact with the bottom set resulting in multi electric shocks to my face so now I am scared to eat at all. In the experience of fellow sufferers Is this what is generally known as a pain breakthrough which I can sit out. I would prefer not to up the dosage if
possible.
Hi Anne. That's a call you will have to make. If it continues you might want to call doc. Yes, he will up it. I was on 900mg Gabapentin for last 6 months. 3-4 weeks ago I started with the break through. Doc said up dose to 1200 mg and when the pain settled down to try going back to 900mg. I like you want the lowest dose possible. Right now I'm not ready to reduce it. This maybe from fear of it returning.
I, too, was on Tegretol to start but could not take it. It made me a home bound zombie. Let me know what you decide to do and how you are.
Hi Anne, it's horrible when it's in your teeth like that. I found I was ok so
long as I didn't have to chew anything. I've lived on soups and soft food for
such a long time it will be great to be able to eat proper Frenchy food again.
I agree with Joanne that whoever takes care of you will probably want to
up the Tegretol. Don't do it yourself. Talk to the professional first and
increase it very slowly. You may find by it going up a little bit it will stop
the pain. Let us know how you get on.
I have the same problem. But mine hurts all the time. On both sides. The electrical shocks have minimized, just constant pain that mess don't seem to be touching.
Sometimes I wonder why I eat at all as the first several bites set off the pain. But I forge through and finish the meal because eventually the pain subsides. Can be awkward when around others, trying not to be obvious. On 800 mg of Tegretol. Not interested in upping it at this point. Who knows what's ahead??? Good luck Anne
Hi sorry to say but this is one of the common pains of TN and the most agonising at times. I was on a high dose of Gabapentine and carbamazepine which my body tolerated well with the exseption of the odd hand trennors and forgetting words or on occasions stopping a conversation due to forgetting what I wanted to say but that was only on high doses my body organs were fine though. Then I was put onto Lamotridgene, that with Gabapentine and a 100 mg 3x a day of carbamazepine holds it most of the time