Why is it that I can zip around town, do the chores and go to work but as soon as I sit down and, God forbid, ly down, I am suddenly in agony? What's that all about.
I do the same thing RachisCool! I have pain sometimes when I am running around but it's usually not nearly as bad as when I sit down!
I have MVD surgery for TN 11 months ago. The electric shock was immediately gone after surgery, but left me with total numbness half of my face (including tongue, lips, mouth, roof of mouth, basically everything was dead on the right side). I lost part of my hearing after the operation, but that was fully recovered after two weeks. I slowly regain feelings in my face and is now 90% numb free. I was thrilled to be off all medications the first 4 months after surgery. Starting 3 weeks after surgery I began feeling faint movements near my temple. It was exciting because I felt that meant my nerves are movement and waking up.The movements never stop. It was constant 24/7 and it became a little more intense day by day. By 4 months post op the facial movements were out of control. It spins round and round like 100 miles an hour in my face to a point that it was all twisted into knots. I can actually feel the nerve fibers twisting, pulling and is very painful. For some reason the spinng/twisting gets worse when I'm driving or in an elevator. It seems to move with the speed of motion. I even checked myself to the ER once, but no one can understand what I'm having. I have had 2 MRI's within 6 months and both came out normal. My the movements intensify even more. I'm on different meds but nothing seems to help. I noticed if I keep busy or talking, then I don't feel the intensity of movements as much. But if I stay still (sitting, particulary lying down or not talking) I can feel every filber and facial muscle contracts to a point that now my upper and lower lips are moving along with the movements. Sometime that muscle contraction pull so tight that my lips are lopsided. My neurologist doesn't know what to do any more. She is running out of medication to give me. She is suggesting botox injection to stop the muscle movements. I read that a person should have have botox injection around the lips/mouth area. My neurosurgeon (MVD) kept on telling me this is normal and it can take up to 18 months. I don't believe him because I'm not numb any more. This is muscle contraction and involuntary movements. My neurologist has diagnosed me with hemifacial spasm (HFS). I don't have the eye twitching or mouth twitching...just lost of movements going on in my mouth and lips. Currently I tried accupunture and body massage. I'm going again this week so this will be my second time. Not sure if they help, but the body massage felt good. By the way for those that are afraid of accunputure, it doesn't help.
Does anyone have problems with non stop factial movements 24/7? I did not have this problem prior to MVD surgery for TN
I had a twitchy eye once but it went away on its own after about 2 months, maybe yours will too. Damn annoying never the less.
Are you tempted to take more meds or grin en bear it? I just hang on if I can or if I am upping meds I am living like a zombie, can't work or drive my car.
I am on hydrocodone as a pain med but it doesn't last but about 3 hours in some cases. I can sense if it's going to be bad sometimes so I go ahead and take a pain pill especially at work or if I want to be able to enjoy something at home or out. Sometimes in a few minutes or a bit more I can tell the pain might not be so bad so I do without. I don't want my doctor to take my pains away so I do use them sensibly ya know?
I have a twitchy eye right now off and on. It IS annoying!
Rach and everyone,
I've been at it for 8 years. I went through the shock of learning I have MS at 47. There's a young lady of 71 out there at it much longer who might agree with the following: There is no magic bullet for this. TN comes and goes. We all have to manage through the comes. I can speak to medication Tegretol only.
At lightning bolt times, increase the dose is worth the costs of side effects. More often, adjusting eating and brushing is the way to get through lesser pains.
That certainly sucks to hear for the younger folks. I think adjust game plan and expectations will make you happier. I just got through 2 annoying weeks. Nothing major. I'm happy to report I brushed normally this morning.
eddie13
It would be interesting to find out if there is any research having to do with TN and stress and fatigue. I know that I tend to have an increase in pain attacks when I have had a busy day and am tired. I also think there is a correlation between TN attacks and increased stress. Of course your medication is suppose to last until the next dose. I have found that it's important to take medication on a regular schedule at the prescribed times. I know if I am late with taking my medication I have more breakthrough pain. If you are adhering to your particular schedule then perhaps you should talk to your doctor about the dosage you are taking. As far as sitting or lying down causing your pain, is it possible that it is a particular pressure on your head that is setting off the attack. I know that when I lie down I am better off on my right side as lying on my left side tends to give me TN trouble. You shouldn't have to be in agony, however, and I urge you to follow up with your doctor.
Very good advice! I also have to take my gabapentin at the exact time or I have increased breakthrough pain. I can't sleep on my right side. I snore on my back and my hip hurts on my left side! That's a lose-lose situation!
Some of the research I am aware of is stem cells, pain pathways, myelin repair, and DNA genetics, but all of them seem about a decade away from a cure. I think the most promising is research in myelin repair via drug delivery. Some researchers believe that there may be some quicker answers to TN pain through that research. Have you heard of any other research or clinical trials?
I am 47 and mine kicks in with my monthly menstrual cycles. I've had three week's happy almost pain free month... woop de doo.. Now my face is killing today. I've upped my lamotrigine and took a couple of pain killers so see what happens.
Ed mate, this time last year I had never heard of TN and just worrying about my job and furthering my career. Now I've lost my job thanks to TN and wondering if I'll be fit for work ever again.
I've never had a prob with teeth brushing but eating today is literally a pain.
Tregretol didn't do a thing for me but I should give it a bash, seeing the doc on Thursday and my pain clinic doc thinks I need to see a ear nose en throat specialist as I have ear pain too.
Cary I was under major stress when it kicked off so yes I think there could be a connection.
oh, i am the opposite. I lie down to ease the pain. Sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right will do it. Gravity moving the stuff in the head around?
Cant be blood pressure. very strange indeed.
Rach have to ask due to the way you write, where are you from?
Sounds like your employer does not deserve you. Don't worry, you'll get the TN under control. If you are getting the "electric shocks", Suggest you go direct to a neurologist. If unable to get an appointment, go to an ER. I did and got instant relief.
I take a 200mg every 6 hours. Some are taking more than that. I weigh 165 lbs.
Sometimes just chilling out can calm the episode.
Mine starts after doing a lot of leaning forward, like weeding in the garden or after a day of hard work. i find I can do very little if I want to stay pain free. The shocks are unbareable . But its hard to give up so easy. There are times I can feel strange sensations across my cheek bone or popping nerve feeling above my ear , both pain free. Its very hard to relax and enjoy normal life now. I am awaiting an MRI which I hope will help find the cause. Simple things like going for a fast walk are a thing of the past as that will set it off. Strangely this all started after I was diagnoised with high bloodpressure and started on medication for the same.
Awful feeling isn't it Yvonne and I am hoping I'll go into remission but nothing since last May. Do you get remissions or does anyone else?
Haha Eddie the way I write, that's funny. I am British but travelled alot so picked up some strange grammar. :-)
Yes so we have the NHS and it took 6 months just to go to the pain clinic and what a waste of time that was. The doctor there seems to think I should see a ear nose en throat specialist and that appointment will take another 6 months no doubt and prescribed an unbelievable amount of Cocktail drugs. I am see my GP on Thursday to discuss it.