I wanted to ask this because my family just doesn’t get it. For the last month my TN has been horrendous…every day, every second. I am fine if I don’t move my face, eat or talk. I have been back to the Neurologist twice in this month and he says there is nothing else to do but go to Vanderbilt to a neurosurgeon. I have an appt. with them on Jan. 4th. My daughter says I need to call the neurologist and make hime do something that I should not have to be in this much pain for over a month. I keep telling her there is nothing else to do. Would you call the doctor again??? He can’t do anything, or can he??? I don’t want to become a pest, but I would appreciate some help till Jan??? What would you do???
Dear Mary,
Has the neuro prescribed any kind of medicine? Anti-depressants (some work for pain), Anti-seizure meds, (some work for pain), or narcotics? Are you taking them as prescribed? Sorry to ask these questions, but it in unclear from your post above.
Lily
trying to get a appointment during the holidays can be hard. Call the surgeon and ask to be put on a cancellation list.
Hi Lily…yes I am taking 1200mgs per day of tegeretol and 90 mgs per day of baclofen…very high I know, but it is not helping at all. Like I say, I am fine till I try to eat…maybe I just have to be like this till the appt.
Mary,
Find yourself another Neurologist, Anyone who says there’s is nothing left to do, doesn’t know squat. If I understood correctly, you started seeing this doctor in October and he’s out of options? If you are able, go see another neurologist or pain specialist.
My Neurologist and I met practically every week until we figured out an acceptable cocktail of medications to ease the pain. I went through most of the list of acceptable medicines until another neurologist added something to it and suddenly, it worked. I’m not saying we are all the same, I’m saying we are so unique in what triggers and hurts that there is no set solution or prescription to alleviate your pain.
Call your neurologist, if you are still happy with him, and ask to try something else. In my case, I was travelling and couldn’t find an anti-depressant that was originally prescribed to me, and my uncle, who is a neurologist too, said take cymbalta instead. Suddenly, it was like, why didn’t they think of that in the first place? Once that was added to my meds, I was able to decrease the dose of my trileptal. I was on trileptal and cymbalta, and a whole slew of vitamins.
Long and short of it, if your neurologist has given up on you, go find yourself another doctor who can start fresh and is willing to try something new with you.
I agree with what someone said earlier. Find another neurologist. I recently had to find a new neurologist because mine would not call me back during a terrible flare up and I could not get an appt for over a month. My new neuro said that there are many meds that they can try, it just depends on what works best for the individual. He did not change mine, only changed my dose, and for the most part, I feel better.
I have been having this problem, and now finally I am going to see the neurologist today!!! I have been in on ans off pain for almost a year now, but what helped me get an appt sooner is I went to the er that the neuro works at and he decided he needed to see me now, maybe try that? hope it helps
Your doctor can certainly prescribe some pain meds for a month until you get into that neurosurgeon! CALL HIM!!!
Mary,
I would be a pest. I was either calling my neurologist or in his office 2 or 3 times a week before I had surgery. The staff was great. They responded to me very quickly each time. They may be willing to add more medication. I don’t know what meds you are taking now. Anyway all he can say is I don’t have anything else I can try. So it doesn’t hurt to try.
Liz
Mary, I would be a pest until you are happy with the results. I had to go through a couple Neurologist until I found one that I liked and that would listen. I take 2400mg of tegratol a day, 30 mg of morphine with 10 mg of Toradol every time the pain is really bad. My family dr. has been the one that has been the most helpful with getting my pain under control. It is your health and you should never feel like a pest. You have to be your strongest advicate because they wont do it for you. I am wishing you all the best of luck and pain free days soon.
Hugs
Shelley