My doctor has now phoned in an rx for the Lidocaine patch. Without my Medicare Ins. it would have been over $200.00 and with it, I have a copay of $45.00 He said to cut the patch down to the smallest size to fit pain region on my face. He cautioned me that some people have an allergic reaction to the patch of bruising or a pretty bad rash. Anyone relate to that? Anyway, anything would be better than this torment. Since we have another day off due to icy roads and parking lots at our school, I'm praying that I'll have the day to get the pain under better control. Can't imagine talking for 7 hours tomorrow in class. But my kids might enjoy me speaking less. LOL
Nannie, how are you doing today? Did you go back to school? How did the patch work for you? I haven’t gotten an RX for it or tried it but am curious how well it works.
Hi Momof3,
Yes, I did go back to school today. Fortunately for me, the little boy I am a full time para with was an absolute doll. He has autism and I believe sensed that I was not feeling well. There were a couple of times I had to correct him when I was having an attack and I had to just talk through it and hold back the tears.
I did get the patches, and honestly I see no relief from using them. I have the liquid Lidocane and use it dabbed on swabs throughout the day. That only last for a few minutes. I haven't had the super bad shocks today, but that crushing, burning feeling all over the right side of my face.
I'm have an appointment with a Neuro on Dec. 26th. Tomorrow, I'm going to begin to regularly take the Tegretol. I don't want to take it first thing in the morning and feel dizzy while driving, so I'll take it once I'm at school.
I've lost 6 lbs since Thursday since I can't eat/chew regular food and I'm getting a new appreciation for baby food. My sweet hubby went out and bought me some baby food and even rice cereal. Well, I'm going to go and use the oral Lidicane and head to bed.
Thanks for staying in touch. How are you doing? I've thought of you and prayed for you today.
Peace!
I am glad you made it through today. I knew that the kids would be understanding. I get so much (extra) love from my kids when they sense my pain.
I am sorry about the eating problem. I experience that with my TMJ problem. But I gain weight during those times. When I have so much pain, I end up at Sonic and get shakes or the mocha java chiller. So many calories but so tasty when you can’t do anything but drink. Dieting goes out the window because you just do whatever needs to be done to get through it.
I made it through the ice with the family so I am thankful today. Stress is a big trigger for the stabbing pain so I am so thankful that i I didn’t have but a few of those episodes this long weekend. But I have had a weird tenderness around my left side of my face. So weird that I basically smeared the lidocaine ointment everywhere on my face. I don’t really know if it worked so much, but I did it anyway. (One of my twins said “EWE, what is that smell on your face, what did you eat for lunch” when I picked him up from preschool. The cutest statement, so innocent, but the smell of the mint was so strong it caught him by surprise. I explained and he said “ok mommy, as long as it helps, use can use it!”). My husband questions how it can work so far away from the deeply imbedded nerve. He smeared some on his tongue and said it didn’t even numb it. Maybe it is just psychosomatic and I want it to help and then get involved in work or family and just forget about the pain.
I forgot, are you taking anything oral for the TN? I know about the tegretol and tramadol dilemna, but have you been suffering since June 2012? When I finally broke down and asked my doctor for help, i was sitting in her office bawling from the excruciating pain. She convinced me that suffering and trying to tough through the pain without meds made me useless at work and at home. I had to break the cycle (hit it with the meds) and then see if I could taper down. I listened and it has helped tremendously. I have resigned myself to the idea (for me) I won’t be tapering off anytime soon, but I will be happy to stay at the dose I am on and not increase. I followed the directions and within a few days, instant decrease in pain, just the brain fog to tough through. And then that adjusts in 2 weeks.
Wishing you a great day with the wonderful kids and hubby.
At the dentist you have to tell them that you are suffering from TN or that you are taking TEGRETOL the dentist then should give you a needle that doesn't have the substance in it that will cause TN to come back.. I had a wonderful dentist as soon as I told him he got the nurse to make up a different needle. Tegretol does make you lose your memory a lot but think of it as you are meeting new people every day...I forget my friend's name and she understands. That is why I can't remember the name of the substance in the needle..but hope this helps, always tell any medical practitioner, dentist, hospital, medical centres that you have TN and the medication you are taking, it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Hi Momof3,
Today was a great day with my kiddos. I ended my day as school holding a little blonde haired angel as he took a nap in my arms. That indeed makes the day priceless.
I took a dose of Tegretol after I arrived at school and the pain was a little less than yesterday. I didn't have the success I desired, but it was better. What helped me most were the Q-tips that I soaked in the Lidocane solution and held in my mouth while I taught. I get about 15 minutes of relief when I keep the Q-tips in my mouth.
I will consider the Tramadol, but can't remember if it is recommended they can be taken together. Do you know if that is a good idea? I honestly can't remember what my Dr. advised.
Hope you have a good day.
And I do love the warmer weather and that our ice is almost a memory.
Momof3 said:
I am glad you made it through today. I knew that the kids would be understanding. I get so much (extra) love from my kids when they sense my pain.
I am sorry about the eating problem. I experience that with my TMJ problem. But I gain weight during those times. When I have so much pain, I end up at Sonic and get shakes or the mocha java chiller. So many calories but so tasty when you can't do anything but drink. Dieting goes out the window because you just do whatever needs to be done to get through it.
I made it through the ice with the family so I am thankful today. Stress is a big trigger for the stabbing pain so I am so thankful that i I didn't have but a few of those episodes this long weekend. But I have had a weird tenderness around my left side of my face. So weird that I basically smeared the lidocaine ointment everywhere on my face. I don't really know if it worked so much, but I did it anyway. (One of my twins said "EWE, what is that smell on your face, what did you eat for lunch" when I picked him up from preschool. The cutest statement, so innocent, but the smell of the mint was so strong it caught him by surprise. I explained and he said "ok mommy, as long as it helps, use can use it!"). My husband questions how it can work so far away from the deeply imbedded nerve. He smeared some on his tongue and said it didn't even numb it. Maybe it is just psychosomatic and I want it to help and then get involved in work or family and just forget about the pain.
I forgot, are you taking anything oral for the TN? I know about the tegretol and tramadol dilemna, but have you been suffering since June 2012? When I finally broke down and asked my doctor for help, i was sitting in her office bawling from the excruciating pain. She convinced me that suffering and trying to tough through the pain without meds made me useless at work and at home. I had to break the cycle (hit it with the meds) and then see if I could taper down. I listened and it has helped tremendously. I have resigned myself to the idea (for me) I won't be tapering off anytime soon, but I will be happy to stay at the dose I am on and not increase. I followed the directions and within a few days, instant decrease in pain, just the brain fog to tough through. And then that adjusts in 2 weeks.
Wishing you a great day with the wonderful kids and hubby.
I am so very sorry about the pain you are experiencing! I have been dealing with this since June 2013 and I have had times of excruciating unbearable pain where all I could do was cry. I can’t put anything in my mouth without numbing it first because if it touches my tn side the shock is awful…my dentist gave me lidocaine mouthwash and I use a pen (like orajel) from Cvs or Walgreen that has a brush which allows me to brush it on my teeth and gums. I’ve attempted the dentist once since being diagnosed and the minute she tried to examine me I immediately started crying and she stopped! Always tell them you have the disease so that they can treat you accordingly! I am scheduled for a MVD on December 17th and can not wait. I pray it gets better easier and pain free.
Hi nannie, first off I must say I can’t believe being “snowed in” in Australia I think anything less than 15 degrees Is freezing, we are looking at 40 degrees next week…
I am so sorry about your pain at the moment, I don’t visit the dentist anymore, not even for a clean, I am terrified of making things worse… I understand completely about your uncontrollable crying, I am afraid though I have no ideas about you returning to school, there can’t be too many school days left now before you break up for Christmas… I can’t offer any solution, but I send you all good vibes, and love from a fellow sufferer x
I am glad you had a good day yesterday. Mine was less than perfect, but maybe a combination of a migraine and mild TN pain. But I slept for 10hours and was better today, just a bit scatterbrained.
From my research online, tramadol is a pain med, like codeine. Tegretol is more of anti-epileptic. They work on different things so I think you can take them together.
Dear More,
I will be praying for your MDV on the 17th. Please let us know how everything turns out. Blessings to you.
more2loooove said:
I am so very sorry about the pain you are experiencing! I have been dealing with this since June 2013 and I have had times of excruciating unbearable pain where all I could do was cry. I can't put anything in my mouth without numbing it first because if it touches my tn side the shock is awful..my dentist gave me lidocaine mouthwash and I use a pen (like orajel) from Cvs or Walgreen that has a brush which allows me to brush it on my teeth and gums. I've attempted the dentist once since being diagnosed and the minute she tried to examine me I immediately started crying and she stopped! Always tell them you have the disease so that they can treat you accordingly! I am scheduled for a MVD on December 17th and can not wait. I pray it gets better easier and pain free.