# I hate tn **URL:** \ **Category:** General TN & GPN (Old Site)\ **Created:** [February 15, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087 "2012-02-15T21:31:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/1 "2012-02-15T21:31:27Z")
i have been living living with tn for 13yrs. about six years ago i took about 7 xanex and said i wanted to end it all i knew that 7 xanex would not do the job it was a cry for help!! while in the hospital it was found that i had moya moya a raer brain disorder where one side of the brain gets low blood flow. knowing that i got a cerebral bypass done and i figured my agonizing pain would go away but no it didnt. i was told of this trigiminal neuralgia b 4 and have been prescribed tegretrol b4 but me being young couldnt except that i couldnt drink so i stoped taking them. i am currently takin this diagnosis serious. i am taking tegretrol again 1 tab 100mg twice daily at the same time i am trying to lean off the vicodin ive been hooked on for yrs because of my pain. the reason for this forum is because ive beenreal bad lately friends want to do stuff i hide out and dont do anything hardly for fear of how i will feel. i also im so scared to strike up a conversation with a woman because of this . that was not my personality at all a long time ago. i feel no woman would be with me i got too much baggage withthis disease. i bounce back in forth about suicide but am a god fearing person so i dont do it. at the same time this is no way to live. by the way i have the option of microvascular decompression if i feel the meds arent helping since im giving them a steady chance. how long does it take for this medicine to work been on it three days any advice? because of this. ---
**Author:** ![Jackie5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Jackie5](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jackie5)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 9:44pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/2 "2012-02-15T21:44:46Z")
You will need to be taking Tegretol longer than three days before they can become effective. Also 200 mg per day is a rather low dose and you may need more for pain relief. It is important to remember that they are not pain killers in the way we may traditionally think of them. Of course you must work with your Dr on this as I cannot advise you about weaning off the Vicodin. It is good to hear that you are facing your problems head on, that can be a sign that a person will be successful. You are approaching your problems in a positive way and you should be proud of yourself. You have options now, you can give medication a good try and if that does not work think about surgery if you are a suitable candidate. As for relationships, well guess what, we ladies are suckers for kind caring men no matter that they may have a medical condition. A good heart may win fair maiden… ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/3 "2012-02-15T21:53:39Z")
jackie how did u know i was kind and caring lol anyhow thank you soo much for the reply i apreciate it . do you work with this condition? ---
**Author:** ![Jackie5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Jackie5](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jackie5)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/4 "2012-02-15T22:00:06Z")
I don’t know I just hope!!! LOL. Yes I do work, I am fairly well managed medicinally and have a good caring boss and good staff who help me out if I have a bad pain time. I know I am very lucky. When I met my husband he was sure no woman would ever want him and his baggage but he has been wrong for 27 years! 2345woody said: > jackie how did u know i was kind and caring lol anyhow thank you soo much for the reply i apreciate it . do you work with this condition? ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/5 "2012-02-15T22:09:47Z")
i work with it and i tend to hide out by my locker alot thank the lord my locker is in the back row lol ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/6 "2012-02-15T22:10:12Z")
whats your dosage? ---
**Author:** ![Jackie5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Jackie5](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jackie5)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/7 "2012-02-15T22:13:00Z")
I take 1800mg of Gabapentin, when I took Tegretol I took 800 mg. Everybody is different! ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/8 "2012-02-15T22:54:11Z")
i feel like i dont have enough patience for the pills to work and i want to jump into surgery. my parents r telling me to wait it out but they dont know what this feels like! UGHHHHH ---
**Author:** ![zahirra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/bbe5ce/32.png) [@zahirra](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/zahirra)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/9 "2012-02-15T23:02:26Z")
Hi Woody ,sory to hear of the emotional time u going through at this time,always remember u are not Alone in this ,As for Jackie’s advice is the best ,I no It’s so hard wen u are in pain And there is no one to comfort u ,once again always remember our good wishes And prayers are always with u ,as for someone special to come in your life ,Jackie is right Woman are suckers for love ,and i feel there is always someone for someone When the time is right u will find that love u need,Take care and be happy… ---
**Author:** ![jeffk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jeffk](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/jeffk)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/10 "2012-02-15T23:09:03Z")
Having had 3 surgeries (probably 2 of which were un-needed) rushing into surgery is a bad thing as my pain doctor told me: "Never underestimate the ability of the medical profession to make things worse". At the time he was referring to nerve blocks which can be activated via remote and that they found out "very bad things" happen when you turn off things which were never meant to be off. I almost jumped into an MVD as soon as my MRI showed a vascular compression on my trigeminal nerve root entry zone on my affected side. However having ATN, the neurosurgeon was very reluctant. And at this point I am glad I am waiting a bit, and evaluating just what is up before making the leap to surgery again. Though I know what you mean, there are times when the pain is so great I would just about take any procedure, medicine, or crazy folk cure to make it better. But then I keep telling myself, "I can certainly make this worse" ---
**Author:** ![Jackie5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@Jackie5](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jackie5)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/11 "2012-02-15T23:09:24Z")
I always feel like that Woody when my pain is bad I would have an op in 1 second. However my neuro is always more cautious, and guess what, she is correct. When I gave her instructions a good try for three months I improved beyond all expectation. Surgery is a massive step that should not be entered into lightly. However the results can be good for Type I. Have a look through the Face Pain Info for further guidance. 2345woody said: > i feel like i dont have enough patience for the pills to work and i want to jump into surgery. my parents r telling me to wait it out but they dont know what this feels like! UGHHHHH ---
**Author:** ![kimburlee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/46a35a/32.png) [@kimburlee](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/kimburlee)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/12 "2012-02-15T23:33:56Z")
Woody, Jackie is so right!!! Be patient. I take 1000mg carbamazepine and it is working for me. It took about a week or so. I went from 600mg to 1000mg. Hang in there. ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:55pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/13 "2012-02-15T23:55:17Z")
u guyz have been a great help tonight i am glad i found this site i thought i was the only one in the world w this disease turns out there is alot of us suffering with this ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/14 "2012-02-15T23:56:39Z")
jeffk said: > Having had 3 surgeries (probably 2 of which were un-needed) rushing into surgery is a bad thing as my pain doctor told me: "Never underestimate the ability of the medical profession to make things worse". At the time he was referring to nerve blocks which can be activated via remote and that they found out "very bad things" happen when you turn off things which were never meant to be off. > > I almost jumped into an MVD as soon as my MRI showed a vascular compression on my trigeminal nerve root entry zone on my affected side. However having ATN, the neurosurgeon was very reluctant. And at this point I am glad I am waiting a bit, and evaluating just what is up before making the leap to surgery again. > > Though I know what you mean, there are times when the pain is so great I would just about take any procedure, medicine, or crazy folk cure to make it better. But then I keep telling myself, "I can certainly make this worse" > > jeff im not even sure if the cerebral bypass i had was necessary ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Bruce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@Rick\_Bruce](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Rick_Bruce)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/15 "2012-02-16T04:41:17Z")
**_...any advice?_** _ **Plenty.** _.. Sign-up and sign-in and together we will help each other concerning those "let's end it all now" thoughts. I have those all the time too. Let's compare notes about our TN pain. Rick Bruce ---
**Author:** ![Min](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/min/32/6259_2.png) [@Min](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Min)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/16 "2012-02-16T15:25:51Z")
Yes, there are many of us in the same boat as you. There are antidepressant that can help in low doses with ATN pain. They are in the tricyclic class. Check with your doctor the next time you see him. Best wishes to you. I know it sucks to wait for the Teg to start working, I've been there very recently in fact. Hang tough. Min ---
**Author:** ![2345woody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/71c47a/32.png) [@2345woody](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/2345woody)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/17 "2012-02-16T22:38:25Z")
im taking a antidepressent called efexor 50mg a day i hope that is good enough? Min C said: > Yes, there are many of us in the same boat as you. There are antidepressant that can help in low doses with ATN pain. They are in the tricyclic class. Check with your doctor the next time you see him. > > Best wishes to you. I know it sucks to wait for the Teg to start working, I've been there very recently in fact. Hang tough. Min ---
**Author:** ![Min](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/min/32/6259_2.png) [@Min](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Min)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/18 "2012-02-16T23:18:19Z")
I guess it depends ... I take 75mg. I was taking Zoloft and then I was crying every day for two weeks straight in the morining..thinking about my future and such.( My intense pain came back.) Thats when I knew it was time to go to my GP. That's when he put me on Effexor. Plus it helped with my pain!! You might just need a different kind or an adjustment if you think it's not working well enough.:( ---
**Author:** ![Kc\_Dancer\_Kc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ebca7d/32.png) [@Kc\_Dancer\_Kc](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Kc_Dancer_Kc)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 4:11am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/i-hate-tn/2087/19 "2012-02-19T04:11:07Z")
You might consider getting a counselor. They can be a great help and these days its mostly short term but invaluable. I was tired of talking about this to my brand new husband all the time - needed an unbiased ear-- oh and he married me knowing I had TN! Sometimes switch in antidepressants works better or along side counseling. They can give you practical solutions to use when your emotions get the best of you