Hi! My pain is mostly controlled through Trileptal/oxcarbazapine but this Polar Vortex and a really bad head cold gave me the worst “breakthrough” pain that I have had in 9 months. (I only started getting attacks last year in December…)
Out of desperation, I ended up using my Tramadol (prescribed for endometriosis pain) and it really, really helped.
Are there other painkillers that may help with breakthrough pain that are less “hardcore”?
I hate the idea of “upping” my meds for Trigeminal Neuralgia but I don’t exactly get an endless dose of Tramadol every month. Most months I need every pill for the chronic pain pelvic pain I have.
Is there anything a doctor will prescribe “as needed”? I only get bad face pain a few times a month that breaks through with extreme wind, heat, etc. Also when my hormones are flaring I get bad pain in my face – but I also have pelvic pain so the Tramadol works wonders in that situation. But I know Tramadol is meant to be limited-use and I really don’t want any opioids (in fact, other opioids never worked on my face pain! not sure why Tramadol works with breakthrough pain.)
(I only get Tramadol because my pelvic pain is severe and my body won’t tolerate NSAIDS any more…)
Hi Melissa,
My PT said Pelvic pain and TN often go together. Have you seen a (holistic or just non-sport) PT or Craniosachral therapist, or possibly even a massage therapist or combination there-of? It might help you with both types of pain, especially since your attacks just started relatively “recently.” Catch it while you can!
Also, tramadol often works on breakthrough pain for TN, depending on the person. However, I understand your hesitation to use “heavier” meds, which is one reason I made the above suggestion as well.
As much as I hate it sometimes, diet matters too. If you want more info about that, let me know.
Totally!! I just found Baclofen after 18 years. It’s changing my life, so much so that sometimes I think I’m “normal” and push it too hard- lol- but it allows me to make that mistake!
I was in PT for a shoulder injury for about 6 months and used up all my insurance benefit for the year. I didn’t know anything about using it for pelvic pain /TN but I will ask for a referral from my primary care for that. She’s really great about giving referrals for non-drug treatmetns.
Had considered accupuncture but not familiar with craniosachral therapy – it looks interesting—but probably too pricey for me for a few months! (Sounds like something my significant other would help me pay for, if it helps! Insurance will not, though…)
My endo problem has become a large cyst that has been developing over the past few years I have to go for a cytoscopy to see what else is wrong from the urinary tract side of things. So it’s just been a helluva year for me! A cystoscopy on the 23rd lol and my sweetie is having a colonoscopy on the 21st!! Then in early January I get to see my neurologist.
Gives “surviving the holidays” a whole new meaning. But I am sure it will be OK.
If you know a good book on diet for endo, let me know. I’ve looked at so many books and never bought one but would love a recommendation! I also have Hashimotos so I have really tried to stop gluten but sometimes I cheat. \ I try to stay away from dairy and gluten but I have had a really hard time trying to get away from sugar.
My wife did scrambler therapy in RI a few months ago. What an impact that had for her! It is expensive, and most insurance won’t cover. It’s also very important to go a highly qualified doctor (i would really avoid chiropractors using this therapy, unless they have a lot of great, solid, positive references). It also doesn’t work for everyone with TN. At the same time my wife was there, another woman with TN was also getting the therapy, but it did not seem work nearly as well for her.
On the positive side there are no negative physical side effects. If it does not work, you are left with a lighter wallet and the potential disappointment of another dead end, but if you are ok with taking that risk, the potential upside can be enormous.
I have to go for a cytoscopy to see what else is wrong from the urinary tract side of things. So it’s just been a helluva year for me! A cystoscopy on the 23rd lol and my sweetie is having a colonoscopy on the 21st!! Then in early January I get to see my neurologist.