i first suffered from TN in January this year. Started with what I thought was dental pain. Had 3 root canals on an eye tooth eventually had the tooth removed and still have the same pain. It's pain like nothing i have ever experienced. Starting along the top of my right gum along to the front of my mouth and up the side of my nose. It's like an electric shock. I never knew when it was going to happen the simple of things like blowing my nose, sneezing, speaking to much or eating would set it off. I eventually went to the doctor and was given carbamazepine. Magic tablets Whithin 2 days pain free. I took these for about a month then slowly reduced them. Completely pain free from then until this past Thursday. I needed to get a plate with a tooth on it because I had the completely eye tooth removed in January after 3 unnecessary root canals. Dental appointment went fine, no pain until Sunday blew my nose and oh it's started again. Went to my dentist today, explained my issues, he called my doctor and they both agreed I had TN again. The thing I don't understand (unbelievably neither does my doctor or dentist) why it's come back? My doctor says that dental procedures should not bring on TN? So what does? I am now back on carbamazepine and have been referred to the dentist at the hospital. Has anyone else had the same issues? Does anyone know the answer to what brings TN on??? HELP please
Dawn66,
That is so me back in 2007. Worthless root canal + extraction. In my case the dentists were not up to speed on TN. I got lucky that an endodontist figured out TN. He fast pathed me to neurology to get the correct medicine for my case. The answer for me has been Tegretol. Even though for the most part it works great, there are still flashes once in a while. Nothing like what it was. Have you been to a neurologist ?
Hi Eddie. Thanks for replying. No I have only seen doctor and dentist. I have been referred to the hospital dentist. Was Tegretol the only medication you were given? How long have you been on it?
Hi again Dawn,
Hospital ER is the place to go when neurologist not available and you're screamin'. I did that when I could not speak, and had a straw in mouth to have something like tomato soup while anything else was not a possiblity. The ER was up on it. They perscribed enough to get me to the neurologist. What a relief! right away. Yes Tegretol only for me. Others do not do as well with the side effects. Some can not manage work with the tiredness. Some take combinations of stuff to minimize the tegretol needed. I however have adapted to the tiredness just fine. I've been on it since the ER visit Aug 2007. The non-sense started around April.
eddie13
My TN started having a scale and polish! I get pain in my teeth and tongue on the left, then spreads up into my jaw and temple, through to the top of my head and almond the base of my stkull all on the left. My chiropractor has diagnosed a problem with jaw, perhaps this is something you could look into. I went to the dentist twice thinking it was my teeth, but couldn't tell you which tooth as they all hurt! Good luck, but do look into it being jaw related.
Hi Louisa, your pain sounds awful, do you take any medication for it or just visits to the chiropractor? I will definetly look into that. Thank you
Hi Eddie. I am on soup also. Just about manage some bread if I soak it in the soup. My cupboard is full of so many cans of soup it's ridiculous, so boring, the carbmazepine does make me a little sleepy but manageable. I am just amazed at the lack of knowledge from my doctor. He doesn't seem to be able to give me much information, this forum seems to be the place to learn more about it through other people's experiences. Thank you for sharing, much appreciated.
I stated on Tegratol that me me feel dreadful, like a zombie. So the GP changed me onto Gabapentin. This is much better and is controlling the pain, though I do still suffer the occasional shooting pain. I've not been to work now for two weeks as although the pain is more or less under control I feel dreadful in myself. Hey ho worse things happen at sea! X
I know how you feel. I am on edge all the time in case i get a sudden shooting pain. Even speaking to much and bang there it is, so sore I cry. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
I hope you you feel better soon and the gabapentin works better.
dawn xx
Thank you Dawn, I have used those exact words to my GP. It is like torture hard barbaric pain, like lightening bolts through your face and head. wishing you well. Louisa xx
Hi Louisa, it's funny just as I was about to open your response I
scratched my nose and boom as you described it a lightening bolt along
my gum and up the side of my nose. It just stops you in your tracks,thankfully
it calms down, I deal with a lot of pain as I have had quite a few
back operations, they were painful but nothing like this pain, unbearable.
i wish you well too. Dawn xx