It's been a long time since I posted on this support board. It's been quiet, it's been calm for the past few months. Then, out of the blue.....the jolts return. This time they are slightly different.
Here is what it feels like: Searing electrical jolt pain that literally makes my entire body jump. They pulse to my heart rate and these jolts seem to exit through the back of my right eye socket. My right eye immediately tears up and flows like a faucet. Thank God, they come in small numbers, then die down. Normally after a few days of jolts, I'm left with what I call the 'hornet sting' feeling in the same area of my mouth and that can last for hours at a time. There is a small area under my right nostril that is hyper sensitive and when I touch that part of my face, all hell breaks loose.
It's been 12 months since I got my diagnosis and I've yet to start on the medication, which probably is not a good idea, right, since now I may be entering the zone that many of you are experiencing. I am on the threshold of a new job with a school district and have fears that if I'm actually hired, I may not be able to work.
Your suggestions, ideas and encouragement are especially needed right now.
HI Nannie your story sounds like mine I was taking 400mg of gabapentin 3x a day and it worked once I got used to it the side effects were not that bad takes a couple of weeks I am having a flare up too and had to increase my Gabapentin up to 500mg 4x aday but it had not started taking effect my trigger points are by my nose and also my gum line and teeth on the TN side mke eating hard I cut my food into little pieces and drink with a straw nothing spicy hot or cold or crunchy LOL It is funny eating a cheese burger cut up into 100 tiny pieces. Last Night I found out that a hot wash cloth helped some so I held the wash cloth up to my face while I was eating and it worked. If I was you I would get on some medication I do not know about you but the electric bolts are a lot more distracting and give me more side effects than the medication. I do not about you but talking is hard when the lighting bolts hit and I Have to stop talking in the middle of a sentence It is a lot harder to explain that then it is to explain being tired. also subliminal B12 for more energy it helps me. I
I am supposed to go on vaction next week I hope my TN settles down a little before then
Good luck hope this helps but I am in the same place you God Bless
Hi Nannie,
So sorry you are experiencing a flare… I too would highly recommend trying one of the anti convulsants, none of us should suffer. To help take the edge off, I would usually use a microwaveable heating pad, it was my best friend and helped me hold on to sanity when my pain was overwhelming. I also purchased a lidocaine mix cream called Emla at my local pharmacy,it helped numb parts of my face, here in Canada it’s over the counter in the States you need a prescription.
I hope you find relief soon.
((( hugs ))) Mimi
I would definitely give medicine a try if I were you. The first time I tried tegretol and it took away my pain I was like a new person. A little tired at first but your body adjusts. There are a lot of different medications that could work for you. It's funny how some people like to use heat to the affected area. I was always using ice packs directly on my face. The nurses in the hospital always wondered how I could do that, but those ice packs were like my new best friend. They felt like they would numb up the nerve for me and stop the incredible pain for a little while anyway. Hope this helps you. Laureen
I'm noticing that every time I bend over the sink to brush my teeth, the jolts become very active. But, I've yet to figure out a way to do this necessary task standing straight up. LOL!
That is a tough one. I know my nerve use to act up terribly when I would be bending over scrubbing floors or the bath tub, etc. I guess the act of bending over like that puts pressure on the nerve and causes it to start hurting more.
Nannie said:
Thanks Laureen.
I'm noticing that every time I bend over the sink to brush my teeth, the jolts become very active. But, I've yet to figure out a way to do this necessary task standing straight up. LOL!