Today is Day 11 of constant pain from my ATN. The pain has gotten progressively worse each day. I can hardly stand it now. I've had TN for 30+ years and this is the worst pain I've ever felt. I work in radio and every time I turn on the microphone I'm afraid I'll shout out or moan or something like that. I have a lot of sick time saved up but I really don't want to take it, especially for any extended time as my department is small and it will put a lot of people in a tough position which will require more work from all of them.
The pain had been a dull pounding like someone was hitting my face with a mallet. But now the pain is sharper, like someone is driving a spike into my face. I am regularly on 400 mg of Lamictal a day. My neurologist says I can add another 200 if needed. I can also take up to 1200 mg of Neurontin as needed. It helps some but I can only take it when I get home from work as it makes me so drowsy to drive. Previously my Neurologist prescribed Tylenol with Codeine. It did nothing; absolutely nothing. I take 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 4 hours which is the only thing that takes the edge off but it's starting to make me feel sick even though I'm taking it with food. As of yesterday it isn't effective any more. I know it's not good to take it on a regular basis. Last week, my doc prescribed a drug that is like super Ibuprofen. It's a controlled substance and can only be used for five days as it can causes bleeding in the GI system. Oh boy! Give me more of that!!! I took two pills over two days and, again, nothing. I don't understand why it wouldn't help as regular Ibuprofen does.
I'm looking for something that can help with pain that won't make me comatose or too tired to function. Carbamazepine isn't the answer. I couldn't even stand up without falling over with that one. I can't take amitriptyline as I had a horrible allergic reaction years ago to a combo of Elavil and Lithium. I've read a lot but can't find anything that may address the pain effectively.
Am I missing something? Is there a wonder drug that will help alleviate my pain without knocking me out in the process? Any suggestions are much appreciated!