I’ve just tried maybe my 7th type of medication. I’ve been on lyrica and cymbalta this month and the pain is the same. I’ve tried all the normal Meds and no Meds work for me. I have constant pain and I’m getting to the point that I can’t take it anymore. It’s now on both sides… It’s been 2 years and I can’t function anymore and I need to feel better. I don’t know what to do next…
Hi,
Sorry you are going through this. Have you already tried Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline? I am bilateral ATN. It's awful. I really hope you can find some relief.
Jane
Here is a list of our favorite meds…take to your doctor
Here is a list of topical meds for more instant relief
http://www.livingwithtn.org/forum/topics/taking-a-poll-here-please-instant-help-for-pain-now-topical
Hope this helps
Are your neurologists in the top field of TN.?
Kimberly.
fortunately I was able to have gamma knife procedure...got relief to one year and one month...back on carbamapazene...referred by friend to try techniques offered by Marie-France Muller MD, ND, Phd. the book
is titled Facial Reflexology....Have had luck by using the technique for neuralgia...Have been fortunate so far. no pain...stay clear of coffee or any stimulant such as salt etc...can't break the rules on this or you will pay for it...any port in the storm is worth trying....the book is available through Amazon among others....Good luck.
Have you tried combinations? I got no relief a few years ago until I tried a combo of gabapentin and triliptal combined with oxycodone.
Part of me is convinced I do not have TN. My MRIs came back fine… That’s why I feel like NO Meds will work for me because I do not have it!! I’m just lost at what to do next
Kimberly,
Many of us have clear MRI's. It used more as a tool to rule other things out then it is for a diagnosis. Often times, even if there is a compression on the nerve, the MRI is not detailed enough to show it.
Those of us that have ATN or Type 2 TN have a hard time even receiving a proper diagnosis. There is a lot that Drs don't know about this. What type of pain do you have? Locations etc? It might help to find others that have the same symptoms to see what has helped them.
Jane
Hi Kimberley,
First of all, I’m so sorry you haven’t found relief despite all your efforts with the many meds. Facial pain of any kind is excruciating.
Finding the right medication alone or in combination can be a long painful process.
Has any med you’ve tried helped at all?? How? What was different?
As for compressions…
Compressions were never visible on any of my mris over many years. When I had MVD surgery the surgeon found 3 compressions. 2 arteries and a large vein.
So NOT all compressions can be seen on mris .
Unfortunately, the field of neurology is vast, and not enough research has been done to really search for what else causes facial pain, other than what we know to date.
There is still so much unknown about TN and all facial pain.
Medications truly take awhile to show improvements and dosages often need tweeking along the way, it can take 6-8 weeks or longer to see results of the meds we try for TN…
Ultimately pain relief and quality of life are the most important things.
If you’ve gone through the gamut of medication to no avail, have you ever asked for a referral to a Neuro surgeon to get an opinion or 2 on possible procedures that may help?
Have you seen a Pain specialist ?
Do you have a Neurologist working with you to find relief, offer suggestions?
Have you tried any holistic treatments like accupuncture, chiropractor, massage, etc
Have you ever started a pain journal, where you write down what kind of pain you feel, when, duration, any triggers, notice anything,like every time you eat XYZ your pain increases etc It can be done in point form, and can be really helpful in seeing patterns or noticing triggers of your pain.
It’s so important to have a doctor and/or a Neurologist who is working with you to help you find some kind of relief and better quality of life.
I hope you start seeing some improvement soon…I completely understand the doubt and frustration as well as desperation…many of us have been there or are still there sadly…advocating for ourselves is absolutely necessary, unfortunately.
Huge ((( hugs))) Mimi
Have you tried a tricylic anti depressent?