Dental work aggravated TN

I had some dental work last week, due too a couple of teeth that abscessed in 24 hours really bad. My oral surgeon was great (he was one the oral specialist who confirmed my pain was not from a dental issue or tmj), and was extra careful. Even with that my pain has gone crazy. Since this last thrusday most of the day I’m crying from pain from tn. Trying to talk is joke, it just triggers pain. Really I did not think having dental work would aggravate the tn this badly. I was rather thinking it would calm it down from the abscess. Has anyone else had dental work that made you tn worse (I’m not talking about dental work that caused tn, sorry hope that does not sound mean or rude; I don’t intend for that)? Did it stay that way or did the aggravatied tn go away after awhile?

I’m worried sick the oral surgeon will have to drain the abscess tomorrow causing to upset the tn more. The oral surgeon did not want to do that for the same reason, but the infection can not just hang around and might need to be done.

On top of that, this has been really up setting to me; as I was supost to go back to work tomorrow. Returning to work has also been set back at least another seven to ten days. Everytime I get close to completing a milestone of getting better something knocks me back to point A. I’m tired of this. All I want is to be able to go to work, school, and basically function. Also I would like to eat again. I have ribeye steak (they look like Kobe beef but their not) in my freezer waiting for me to be well enough to eat.

Dare it. I forgot to add the oral surgeon thinks the combination of the infection (which got to the point my eye was swollen shut for two days) and then dental work did aggravate the tn. I don’t blame him for this. Even with him being care I think it was unavoidable. Just sucks:(

Kari,

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. It sounds absolutely awful. When I have had dental work done in past (to stabilize fractured teeth) it always aggravated my TN. Generally, my pain levels would escalate for a few days/weeks, but once things calmed down, I felt better than before the dental work was done. You are right in that you cannot leave an infection untreated and I am glad that you have a great doctor who is knowledgeable about this condition. Since having my own dental work done, I have learned from the Face Pain Info tab at the top of this page that it is recommended that people who are dealing with TN temporarily load up on their medication (under a doctor's supervision, of course) to help prevent breakthrough pain. I certainly plan to do this should I need any dental work in the future. Might your doctor be able to prescribe some extra meds to help bring your pain levels under control while the dental work is being done?

I can't imagine how disappointing it must be to have to put your life on hold once again and my heart goes out to you. I know how hard it is to keep a positive attitude when you keep running into roadblocks. Just keep in mind that you are doing the very best you can to look after yourself and that you are still moving forward towards being able to the things you want/need to do, even if it doesn't feel that way at the moment. You will get there! Just keep your eyes on the ribeye steak prize!

I hope you feel better soon.

Take care,

Chris