Hi everyone.
I have had TN for approximately 8 years, and have had a diagnosis for a little over a year. My TN was mostly controlled for the last year with gabapentin at various doses, and over the last month or so has stopped working. I finally got an appointment with my neurologist this past Friday and she decided to add in Tegretol into my drug regimen. This is s drug I knew I would probably be presented with eventually, and have been dreading for numerous reasons. First and foremost, I have a history of depression and suicidal reactions to certain drugs that I have been given over the years. It has happened 3 times, and this information was treated like "nothing to worry about" by my doctor. Next, the other side effects just scare me! Last, I would like to be able to have a beer at a BBQ, continue enjoying wine tasting events with my friends, and have margaritas on Fridays with the office gals like I have been doing for so long I cant even remember. I was told by my Dr that I will never drink again, and also treated like an alcoholic for caring, and dismissed for wanting to discuss it.
OBVIOUSLY-I will not be seeing her again. Found another name through this site and will be contacting him this week.
This morning I broke down and broke down bad. I couldn't stop crying for about 4 hours and the crying was just setting off the pain even worse. I couldn't stop thinking about all of the ways this stupid condition affects my life, from my work, to my social life, to my mental and physical well being....and then I found this site.
Thanks to the universe for bringing all of you warriors together here in one place. Thanks to Red for his hard work and support. Thanks to all of you for sharing all of your experiences, successes and failures, highs and lows. You were just what I needed to survive this day and go from pity party back to the fighter that I know I deep down I am.
Keep fighting the good fight and I will be back to let you know how my current poison is treating me....LOL