Hi,
Can you talk about different antidepressants you have taken that have been effective for facial pain?
Cymbalta was best for me but it messed up my ability to think. Pamelor made me fat Even at a low dose.
And anything that dries out my mouth causes burning tongue to begin all over again.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
JanetM
I've never seen an anti depressant alone work for TN -- usually for the depression that follows - seen that Cymbalta can be hell to withdrawl from
Can you get a prescription for Lidocaine Mouthwash for pain as needed?
Anti-seizure meds are front line treatments
Have you read the bible for TN --- Strinking Back by Dr. Ken Casey? Many many ways to deal with it naturally and medically.
Keep posting!
Thanks, Kc Dancer Kc.
I have neuropathic pain due to a dental injury, and I've been on different anti-seizure meds with limited success. I also haven't liked the side effects.
So far the best combo -- in terms of effectiveness in controlling the constant pain -- was cymbalta and gabapentin.
I got off the cymbalta because I didn't like how I felt. I didn't have trouble with getting off it because my doctor used another med with a longer l/2 life and so I got off of it within a week.
No, I haven't and so maybe I should read that. I have tried a bunch of alternative things....
Thanks.
JanetM
janetm - hi.. can you have the name of the med that your doctor gave you to help withrawl the CYMBALTA ? if can help me a lot . thanks
janetm said:
Thanks, Kc Dancer Kc.
I have neuropathic pain due to a dental injury, and I've been on different anti-seizure meds with limited success. I also haven't liked the side effects.
So far the best combo -- in terms of effectiveness in controlling the constant pain -- was cymbalta and gabapentin.
I got off the cymbalta because I didn't like how I felt. I didn't have trouble with getting off it because my doctor used another med with a longer l/2 life and so I got off of it within a week.
No, I haven't and so maybe I should read that. I have tried a bunch of alternative things....
Thanks.
JanetM
hi..
i take 90 mg cymbalta.. it helps. but really really not sufficent.
i guess i'll have to combine meds.
I am taking Celexia for the TN2 symptoms and it did get rid of the stabbing and ice pick in the ear pain, which I had 24/7, the only down side is I think I am getting more frequent migraines with it. I have an appointment on Thursday with a neurosurgeon and will discuss. I also take fiorinal with codeine, its for my migraines, and it helps with the tn pain, but that in conjuction with the antidepressant seems to keep all but my tooth pain at bay and I am not stupid on it!
Wendy
I take effexor for burning pain in my eye tooth. And also take amitriptyline for burning pain of my chin. Both work really well for me.
I haven't heard of Celexia. I like the idea of it not making me stupid. Thanks!
crashgirl said:
I am taking Celexia for the TN2 symptoms and it did get rid of the stabbing and ice pick in the ear pain, which I had 24/7, the only down side is I think I am getting more frequent migraines with it. I have an appointment on Thursday with a neurosurgeon and will discuss. I also take fiorinal with codeine, its for my migraines, and it helps with the tn pain, but that in conjuction with the antidepressant seems to keep all but my tooth pain at bay and I am not stupid on it!
Wendy
I have not tried Effexor. Any side effects? I cannot take the amitriptyline due to it drying out my mouth. (Then I get burning tongue.) Thanks.
Min said:
I take effexor for burning pain in my eye tooth. And also take amitriptyline for burning pain of my chin. Both work really well for me.
I do ok with Effexor, but everyone is different. You can look up side effects on the internet under I think the website is called rx.com? or under webmd. I don't intend to ever stop taking it but I think I have heard some people say it was hard for them to come off of it.
about effecor- it's wired.. i took it years ago for panic attacks - and it HELPED for that . stopped it two years before the ATN started.
wonder if any connection.
Hi Janet,
I'm trying effexor xr, or venlafaxine is the generic name. I've tried just about everything else, and I'm taking 225mg after working up from 37.5. Once I hit 150 I started to feel an improvement. I also started klonopin, oxycodone for super-bad times, and I'm on a week treatment of prednisone after an ear/sinus infection almost made me lose my mind with pain. The best thing I did was take a referral from my neuro to see a pain management specialist. I don't have to take the strong meds when I don't need them, but to know I have them as insurance has given me a great deal of a feeling of power over the pain that controls my life. I drink gallons of water, stopped having wine, and use the lidocaine patches at home. I still miss whole nights of sleep, but I'm hoping the klonopin will help me with that. I think staying super-hydrated has helped my personal symptoms - I used to drink almost no water at all. Now I'm hooked.
Please update with what you find that works for you, I would love to hear.
Thanks, Colleen.
I always drank tons of water and I do now. I am getting off sugar. I cannot get off entirely because it is in everything but no extras. I want to try klonopin but I'm afraid it is going to zonk me out. Any side effects? I have percocets for bad times too but it doesn't help me much. Perhaps I should try effexor. I just don't want a foggy head again like cymbalta.
I'll keep you posted.
Colleen said:
Hi Janet,
I'm trying effexor xr, or venlafaxine is the generic name. I've tried just about everything else, and I'm taking 225mg after working up from 37.5. Once I hit 150 I started to feel an improvement. I also started klonopin, oxycodone for super-bad times, and I'm on a week treatment of prednisone after an ear/sinus infection almost made me lose my mind with pain. The best thing I did was take a referral from my neuro to see a pain management specialist. I don't have to take the strong meds when I don't need them, but to know I have them as insurance has given me a great deal of a feeling of power over the pain that controls my life. I drink gallons of water, stopped having wine, and use the lidocaine patches at home. I still miss whole nights of sleep, but I'm hoping the klonopin will help me with that. I think staying super-hydrated has helped my personal symptoms - I used to drink almost no water at all. Now I'm hooked.
Please update with what you find that works for you, I would love to hear.
I'm starting off slow on the klonopin, and only at home at night. I have 20mg tabs that I break in half, then wait an hour or so and if I need more I add the other half. I don't feel whacked out at all, just very relaxed. One of my problems is an ingrained tendency to clench my jaw, tighten my muscles and feel real uptight all the time. I wake up with a clenched jaw. The klonopin helps me relax and not tense up so much. Doesn't knock me out or change my personality with mood changes like some meds can do.
The effexor is wonderful because after coming off neurontin, which made me an unpredictable crank, the effexor makes me feel like I have a little focus back and can think more clearly again. I'm only on 225mg, but worked my way up slowly. I know I have room to grow in that dosage as well, so that's an option. The doc gave me some anaprox for when I'm at work and can't afford to be dippy. It's non-narcotic but has properties to help with inflammation as well as pain. If that doesn't work, I take tiny bites off a lortab, like 1/16 of it, just enough to give relief without feeling like putting on a lampshade and moonwalking through the lobby. The key to my success at controling my pain has always been in the hands of my physician, and finding one who understands the mentality of pain and the despair of not being able to control it as a trusted, intelligent adult has given me new excitement for the future - meaning maybe I'll be able to participate more in my life and not have to hide or avoid friends so as not to disappoint.
I usually test drive new meds on the weekend so I can get a little accustomed to the new feelings. Effexor can be very uncomfortable to discontinue, but when you do it little by little over time it's not a problem, least for me. Use notebooks to log your reactions-good and bad, dosages, times you take, all that stuff. It helps your doctor. And helps you by being proactive in your search for comfort level. Look how much we learn with TN, mostly by crash course. But you can use what you've learned to help ppl who are less experienced with it and have the same questions we had.
Sending you thoughts of health and strength! Go Janet! :)
crashgirl said:
I am taking Celexia for the TN2 symptoms and it did get rid of the stabbing and ice pick in the ear pain, which I had 24/7, the only down side is I think I am getting more frequent migraines with it. I have an appointment on Thursday with a neurosurgeon and will discuss. I also take fiorinal with codeine, its for my migraines, and it helps with the tn pain, but that in conjuction with the antidepressant seems to keep all but my tooth pain at bay and I am not stupid on it!
Wendy
Fiorninal can cause rebound headaches you may need to try another migraine medicine
Hello.. I'm new to this site. I have type 2 pain. I am on Pamelor 10 mg, klonopin (which I'm slowly weaning off of) and Corgard (to counteract the increased heart rate of the Pamelor). I just started going to a new Neurologist and he prescribed Seroquel to add. Has anyone tried that?
Wow. I have the exact same story with all the same meds. Migraines and all. I also take Fiorecet. I have TN2 with Intermittent Migraines. It is the same for me with the tooth pain. My neuro doesn't want to switch my depression meds, and I can say it does keep the majority of the pain away in combination with Gabapentin.
crashgirl said:
I am taking Celexia for the TN2 symptoms and it did get rid of the stabbing and ice pick in the ear pain, which I had 24/7, the only down side is I think I am getting more frequent migraines with it. I have an appointment on Thursday with a neurosurgeon and will discuss. I also take fiorinal with codeine, its for my migraines, and it helps with the tn pain, but that in conjuction with the antidepressant seems to keep all but my tooth pain at bay and I am not stupid on it!
Wendy
Hi Colleen,
Now that I have gotten off the trileptal I can see how it was helping my pain significantly. However, I like how I feel off it. The side effects of most of them I find intolerable. It has been recommended I try a low dose of cymbalta (20 mg) and then increase the neurontin to 900. I will increase the neurontin. Klonopin just knocked me out so badly. What dose are you taking? I like having something strong as well in case things go badly. Lately, with the weather such as it is, it has been more painful than usual.
Colleen said:
Hi Janet,
I'm trying effexor xr, or venlafaxine is the generic name. I've tried just about everything else, and I'm taking 225mg after working up from 37.5. Once I hit 150 I started to feel an improvement. I also started klonopin, oxycodone for super-bad times, and I'm on a week treatment of prednisone after an ear/sinus infection almost made me lose my mind with pain. The best thing I did was take a referral from my neuro to see a pain management specialist. I don't have to take the strong meds when I don't need them, but to know I have them as insurance has given me a great deal of a feeling of power over the pain that controls my life. I drink gallons of water, stopped having wine, and use the lidocaine patches at home. I still miss whole nights of sleep, but I'm hoping the klonopin will help me with that. I think staying super-hydrated has helped my personal symptoms - I used to drink almost no water at all. Now I'm hooked.
Please update with what you find that works for you, I would love to hear.
Hi,
I was given prozac to get me off the cymbalta. I forget the schedule but since prozac has a longer half-life it works. No bad withdraws.
Nir Morita said:
hi..
i take 90 mg cymbalta.. it helps. but really really not sufficent.
i guess i'll have to combine meds.