Well, not really good for me. I went to bed last night having attacks and upon awakening they started again. I am taking all the meds the doctor prescribed, actually doing a very bad thing and in desperation taking more. I know that can be deadly, but so can the reaction to the pain.
I started with type 1, no triggers and now I'm not sure what has happened. The breakthrough pain is now appearing in my upper front teeth. Does this mean I have developed an additional type?
What should I tell my doctor when I call them this morning?
Any help appreciated. And yes, I have been researching the site for answers but to tell you the truth I am very confused.
Thanks,
Phoebe
PS. I saw my psych doctor yesterday and she took me off the Lithium to see what happens.
It's understanding that you're confused, but it is possible to have both Type I and Type II. As a matter of fact, I've just recently started having both types of pain and, unfortunately, on both sides of my face. There are quite a few members here that have both types now after starting with one.
Sometimes it's simply the way TN progresses and sometimes we just don't know why. I hope you're doctor is familiar enough with TN to know that it's possible to have both types. If not, you'll have to educate them. If they tell you it's impossible then they need to do some homework. It's a very confusing situation. Makes you wonder if you're imagining it.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but I know exactly how you feel.
The sore front teeth is not uncommon. Infact I have tender teeth most of the time and I am Type 1. Breakthrough pain happens for me randomly as well. I found a light heating pad helps to tame them as they happen. I was diagnosed in July and have found this site very helpful. I hope you find the meds that make you the most comfortable.
The breakthrough main certainly can be incredible, especially when it appears in a different portion of the mouth than one is used to having it.
I guress it really is not my imagination when my mouth feels different prior to an attack. It is just crazy when it happens many minutes before hand. Like I am just imagining it. Like I am making a bigger deal out of things than I should.
It really helps to have this website and I believe I will be printing many pages to have prepared for my doctors in Jacksonville.
I have ATN with TN type pain on occasion. While ATN is my formal diagnosis, I do also experience TN pain. Recently, this week, I have had several short pain attacks, 5-15 minutes, that are similar to TN Type I pain. In addition to these attacks being a rare event for me, the pain I have experienced has occured in my lower jaw which I have NEVER had before. I'm somewhat unnerved by this and have been worrying a bit about it. Around 3 months ago, I also began having ATN type pain in my upper teeth and jaw area, yet again a place where I have never had pain before.
I agree with Gloria that ATN/TN is a progressive experience. Prior to a correct diagnosis, I was mis-diagnosed with TMJ for 10 years. I would have pain attacks that lasted 15-60 minutes several times a day. However, the pain went into remission for 4 years the first time, then 6 years the second time. When it came back, I had pain all of the time and it was much different than the past and more severe. So, I am a firm believer that ATN/TN is progressive in nature.
In the past 3 years since a correct diagnosis, I have experienced pain in the same general areas on my face: cheek, eye, temple area, lower scalp line. Over time my pain as moved around, changed in nature and become more long-lasting with increasing and decreasing pain levels.
I wish you the best of luck in speaking with your doctor. I hope some of what has been written here helps to quell some of your anxiety. Discussing changes in your pain with your doctor will hopefully bring you a little more peace and if you are incredibly fearful of an additional condition ask your doctor for further diagnostics. Take care! Johanna