my facial and teeth pain started right after a root canal two months ago. I ended up having a second root canal with no relief. I went to a neurologist's office and have been prescribed tegretol gabapentin and amitriptyline for atypical trigeminal neuralgia. After hours of research I found out about atypical odontalgia which fits my diagnosis better. Is there really a difference in the two diagnoses as they seem very similar. Can anyone out there help me out on my question?
Thanks
Jennifer
As far as I've ever been able to determine, atypical odontalgia seems to be indistinguishable from trigeminal neuropathic pain in the third branch of the nerve, with the distinction that AO seems to be felt almost entirely in the teeth where trigeminal neuropathic pain may be somewhat more wide spread in the lower and rear jaw. In any event, I've never seen a treatment plan for atypical odontalgia which didn't involve the three medications you have named.
I'm not a medical doctor, but based on 20 years of talking with pain patients, I think you're dealing with a distinction that doesn't generate a difference.
Regards
I have been telling my Family Doctor, PM Doctor, Specialists, and anyone else who will listen, that my symtoms fit Atypical Odontalgia to a "T" but to no avail. They all still write: Trigeminal Neuralgia; Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia; and Chronic Pain Syndrome on any check-out forms or insurance codes. I do not understand their reluctance unless the diagnosis is not considered billable for insurance payment purposes. Either way, it drives me crazy. The medications for AO are along the same lines as ATN/TN but with less or no relief. I just feel like AO isn;t given enough validity and surely not enough research is being done to find a cause and a cure!
I feel the same way. I just went to a second dentist today for him to look at the root canals that were done that set off this terrible pain. I showed him a paragraph explaining atypical odontagia and he said he had never heard of before. This dentist is 59. So yet again, no answers to why this is happening to me. I am taking high doses of tegretol amitriptyline and gabapentin. It finally started working Sunday and I’ve Had relief but have to take these meds around the clock. The only time I don’t hurt is when I’m asleep. It’s so crazy. I love wine and can’t have any because of these meds. I don’t like the side effects but I’m getting used to them. How long have you been dealing with your problem?