Hi. We are new to the site and TN. My daughter is only 11. She got the symptoms of TN from an ear infection gone wild. I had no clue all of this could happen.
Last night was another bad one. The doc says to only take the pain med when needed. It is always needed. She waited an extra hour, thinking she could manage the pain. This was not the case and she and I spent a few hours in her bed as she went through the pain before passing out.
This is very hard on my whole family. Does anyone have any tricks to managing the nightly beast?
Hi, littlemama,
Warm Welcome to LwTN, so sorry to hear it’s your daughter who suffers…pain meds on an as needed basis don’t generally tend to work for TN pain…I understand your in the diagnostic stage, but we’re talking about horrendous pain…( if it’s TN). I would highly reccomend calling your doctors office and see if they can start her on an anticonvulsant ASAP. If she responds well to an anticonvulsant like Tegretol, that’s usually a diagnostic indicator that it’s TN. These meds need to build in her system, and it takes a little time to find the right dose where the pain is managed.
In the meantime a microwaveable heating pad is my saving grace, helps minimize the pain as well as a lidocaine mixed cream I apply to my cheek and jaw line. Here in Canada it’s over the counter but in the states it’s prescription I think. Some people find relief from Cold packs, but I’m the opposite… Worth a try… I use orajel sometimes too to help minimize the pain in my teeth.
Advil is anti inflammatory and can help too…
Sending positive thoughts and prayers…
I’ve copy pasted this from our front page…KTRose’s Mom is a member here, her teenage daughter has suffered with TN. There is also a group of Moms with young TNers that you might find helpful as well…just go to our Groups tab above and join.
Featured News
One of our members’ 16 year old daughter Katie is about to undergo her second MVD. Her pain – and her bravery – have been picked up by ABC Television News. This case reinforces the reality that nobody is “too young” to encounter the face pain monster, and doctors shouldn’t assume their patients are.
See http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/teen-girl-undergoes-surgery-suicide…
The doctor doing the procedure is in Orange County California. We have the family’s permission to post and publicize their daughter’s experience.
Littlemamma, I agree with Mimi about getting on an anticonvulsant. Although I don't know how those drugs work with children, or if Z is already on them. I personally find relief in pain killers when the pain is too bad and I can't handle it. But that is in addition to my tegretol and gabapentin. I am so very sorry for your daughter and your family. I hope that our little community will be able to provide you with some answers, comfort, and support. Feel free to ask questions either in the blog section or the discussion section. I am sorry I am not able to give more right now. I am hoping the very best for Z!
Z is on Neurontin. We are increasing another 100mg tomorrow night. She also takes Indomethician for pain and they added phenergan. Still waiting for the MRI....
It is amazing how the pain wraps and spreads. Her head, neck, shoulder, and shooting down arms, sometimes down her leg. I fell asleep holding her last night. I woke and thought, "Z! What are you doing in my bed!" LOL
I tangoed with the ladder to her little sister's bed, then stumbled to my own bed.