For the past year or so, I have felt an almost constant nausea. It is always there when I first wake up. Usually I can't eat anything until later in the day. It is the kind of nausea I've only experienced when I was in my first few months of pregnancy. Even when my pain is not intense, it is still there. Last night, my husband took me to our favorite Mexican restaurant. I ordered my favorite thing, but when the plate was in front of me I had to force myself to eat a few bites. It might as well been a plate full of maggots, the repulsion I felt. The food was as delicious as always, but I just couldn't eat. This has nothing to do with pain, although the doc quickly informed me that what I am experiencing is normal for people who have severe pain. I can't seem to get them to understand this isn't due to pain, I just can't eat without feeling sick to the point of vomiting. I think I have something else going on, but doc wants to attribute this to TN. Ironic, because same doc doesn't believe my TN pain is "all that bad" because I refuse to take the Topamax I was prescribed 4 years ago. I have been through the gamut. I've had this evil pain for 9 years. I'm allergic to Tegretol, I've tried most of the other anti-seizure meds, I even had MVD surgery 3 years ago (worked for a few blissful months). I told my doctor that I'm not going to try any more drugs to deal with this, as none have worked for long, most have made me sicker. If I am going to be in pain, I would rather have my wits about me. When I tried to explain that I practice meditation and focused imagery to help get through attacks, ohhhh, there's that know-it-all-smirk I despise with every fiber of my being. I didn't say it cured pain, I'm telling you it is all I have. My TN pain is triggered by wind or even a single hair touching my face. I have begged her to let me try a lidocaine patch, but she assured me that was ridiculous. I have a small ranch with 28 animals to care for, and I live on a windy mountain. I KNOW this patch would help, because I already use OTC numbing liquid on my face and it is a big help. She told me it is a silly idea. I've had fantasies of walking in her office, holding my pistol to my head and saying, "DO YOU BELIEVE ME NOW??!!", and pulling the trigger. Maybe that might make enough impact for this idiot to take the next TN patient more seriously.
It definitely sounds like it is time for a new DR! Understand it is so frustrating, but trying anything is not silly with this kind of pain, she obviously does not get TN. I do get an upset stomach during the worst attacks, but it subsides when the pain calms. I would find a Dr that can address it all for you, you deserve relief, compassion and help! It gets tiring being our own advocate, espoecially with the pain, but it is worth the effort to find a Dr that can help and not dismiss you, remember you are special and you deserve good care!