My doctor prescribed a compound pain cream to rub on my face 3 to 4 times a day when I am having pain. It is made by a speciality pharmacy and the different ingredients in the cream are formulated according to the condition they are treating. Mine is a combo of Amitriptyline, diclofenac, gabapentin and lidocaine. Because it applied to the face you don't have the side effects that you would have if it was taken orally. I use it in the morning even if I am not having an attack to try and prevent an attack. I have attacks daily and also taking oxcarbazepine 450 mg in the morning and at night. Has anyone tried this cream and has it helped?
I am also on a compound pain cream. My cream is made of ketoprofen, ketamine, gabapenyin, baclofen, amitriptyline, bupivacane and clonidine. I experience severe burning and I can no longer wear my glasses as it causes me to feel like I have an elephant sitting on my face. The cream does help for a very short period of time with these symptoms. I have to use a lot more than 4 times per day. It does not help with the pain as the pain is such a deep pain. When I have a flare up its very hard to add the topical to my face as I can not touch it a lot of the time. I hope this helps!!!
Are you taking any other medicines orally? How long have you had TN? The cream doesn't seem to help much when I am in a severe attack(nothing really helps). I use it before I have an attack hoping it will prevent one. I have tried everything. The only thing that seems to bring relief when it is bad is to lay on an ice bag, take a pain pill and try to go to sleep. If I am able to sleep when I wake up it is usually gone but it is like I have a pain hangover and am disoriented.
I am taking Lyrica and Tegretol. I have had TN since 09. I went to the neurologist yesterday and he added Eleval. When I have my severe attacks, nothing helps. The only thing I can do is lay down and over time the pain will relieve. The cream DOES NOT help at all with the pain just the burning, and then, I have to apply about every 15 minutes. I am the same as you on the following day after an attack. It just takes a toll on the body. Have you had any other treatments besides meds??
Donna
I had tried accupunture. I also when to a cervical care chiro for almost a year at a cost of over $2000.00 but after a year I stopped going. I was still having attacks and couldn't afford it. I just had my 2nd MRI and go back to my second neurologist on the 20th of this month. I was on tegretol for a while and at first it helped but I had to keep increasing the dose and the side effects made me miserable. I don't want surgery. From what I have read many people don't had good results and the TN comes back. I don't know what else I can do. It is really hard some days trying to get through work. It is controlling my life and I am tired of dealing with it. One day at a time is all we can do.
DonnaS said:
I am taking Lyrica and Tegretol. I have had TN since 09. I went to the neurologist yesterday and he added Eleval. When I have my severe attacks, nothing helps. The only thing I can do is lay down and over time the pain will relieve. The cream DOES NOT help at all with the pain just the burning, and then, I have to apply about every 15 minutes. I am the same as you on the following day after an attack. It just takes a toll on the body. Have you had any other treatments besides meds??
have you found the lyrica and eleval help? is eleval a new drug?
Elavil, also known as amiltriptyline, is an old drug approved by the FDA in 1961 for depression. It is also prescribed for chronic pain.
Hey! Yes, I've tried two different combinations of a compounding cream, and it does help!!! :)
I have had the compound cream for other pain. I have been using my Lidoderm patches and putting them on my face where it hurts. I would have to say it only takes the edge off. I will see if my pain specialist will give me the cream again.
Linda