Hi, in a lot of upper and lower teeth pain on right side, plus some gum burning... I was fine, on no meds, low pain levels, but I thought I might be mildly depressed so I took 10mg nortriptyline and soon afterwards my pain skyrocketed,,,, then I took 10mg more and it just got worse.. I had a floride treatment at the dentist and she was so afraid to clean and scrape my teeth she just polished them... could that have triggered this... should I go to the Emergency room (it is sunday) and ask for vicoden?? this is unbearable pain,,, I don't know how you guys coped... do I get off the nortriptyline or take more? so confused.... this is the most pain I have ever experienced in my entire life... scared.
Hopefully others will come on here soon with Ideas. All I can recommend is put some heat on it and oragel ( the stuff for numbing toothache) if you have some. It might shoot some pain for the first few seconds but then it goes numb. Or some hot tea held gently in your mouth. I am so sorry you are in pain.
thank you so much Charlie, if you were here I would give you a big hug.. you feel so alone when you have this excruciating pain and now I feel a bit less alone..i never heard of that hot tea idea, I will have to try that... all I have is chamomile tea, hope that will do... I thought this level of pain is not supposed to happen this early in the morning... so confused but thanks so much Charlie... sounds like you have been there ... Elvera
Yes, I have been there a lot. I have mostly Type 2 pain. Any hot liquid should do, just something warm in there to ease the pain a bit. I also find with the bottom teeth pain if I hold my warm rice bag just under the jaw line it will ease the pain. Sometimes it just hurts too much to touch it.
Time of day has nothing to do with when you get pain. I get mine mostly late night, recently it has been anytime of day. It comes when it wants.
I got that hug thanks. :)
I am do sorry you have do much pain first thing in the morning. The day fels very endless and bleak if it starts like that. Try taking some slow deep breathes to help you relax. Shoulders down and eyes closed. If you combine this with the warm tea in your mouth it may increase the benefit. Pain will not kill us. It does makes us desperate though. If after trying these suggestions you still feel unable to cope then of course head to emerg for more relief. I am praying. Hugs
wow, so what if any meds do you take for this Charlie?? I am finally motivated to stay on meds now... because this is bad.....so, I put oracle gel on what tooth, and what does it do? just make the other tooth hurt more.. I put lidocream cream on my chin because it hurt the most... what does it do, move upward toward the upper jaw.. it just seems to want me to feel the pain, and will move around to do so...
Patty is right, relax, it will help ease the pain. I do a kind of meditation in my head, visualize my hands gently pushing down in slow motion. It puts your focus somewhere else too. Put the oragel all along your gum line, not on the teeth. I use my finger but a q tip works too.
I don't think there is much in meds that help type 2, I was using Tegratol and that eased it quite a bit but it didn't go away. Now I am on Lyrica and the pain is coming back. I am still at a low dose so maybe I need an increase. I have never tried them but it seems that pain killers don't work on TN.
You should keep a pain diary. It will help you identify triggers. I have a denture and a partial and am nowat the point where I can't wear either. pressure changes is a trigger. Whats you weather forecast today. Calling for rain or snow. :)
And yes, you pain will jump around. It has a mind of it's own.
when I read that you were praying it made me cry Patty.. I never knew that total strangers could be this kind and caring, but then I guess we are not strangers, we are people who know what it feels like in a world surrounded by a lot of folks who don't..thanks so much.. I went from a level ten pain to level 8 I would say with the help of a heating gel, orogel, and 2 advil.... Elvera what do they do at the ER if you do go???
Patty said:
I am do sorry you have do much pain first thing in the morning. The day fels very endless and bleak if it starts like that. Try taking some slow deep breathes to help you relax. Shoulders down and eyes closed. If you combine this with the warm tea in your mouth it may increase the benefit. Pain will not kill us. It does makes us desperate though. If after trying these suggestions you still feel unable to cope then of course head to emerg for more relief. I am praying. Hugs
duh,,, yes, why didn't I think of that.. thanks Charlie, put the oragel on my gums... my modum on my computer decided to just stop working or something.. so i am using a neighbors very slow connection.. anyways, thanks again.. i know nortriptyline is supposed to work for type 2 pain.... but maybe i will go on lyrica.. i typed out a better response earlier but then i lost the signal... :( so this is my shorter response... have a good day Charlie!!
Hi my friend,
I'm so sad to read this. If it helps at all, I woke up this morning in level 7-8 pain so know you are not alone. I had a good day yesterday, the ATN was being nice to me and I hung out with my daughter and went for a walk. Nothing too physically challenging but perhaps too much talking. I guess I'm paying for it today. (As I'm typing this, I'm sitting with a fleece blanket over the right side of my face). I also use a heating pad (gently) when it gets bad and hold warm water in my mouth. The unpredictability of this is what gets me down the most - weather changes, stress, eating certain foods .... the list goes on. It's miserable too that you'd been fine with low pain and no meds and now you're suffering so much. Having ATN has made me feel like I'm living on a never-ending roller coaster ride, but in an amusement park of horrors!
It sounds like taking the nortriptyline made it worse for you. Can you call your pharmacist today for medication advice or if it becomes totally unbearable go to the ER?
How long ago was your dental visit? Maybe that triggered the attack you're having. I'll go several days with only the facial twinges and barely any pain in my teeth and gums, and then I'll brush my teeth just a little too vigorously and wham! right back to all the burning and shocks in my mouth. Your chamomile tea might be soothing ... I hope it helps.
What others have already suggested here about relaxing is so important. I know it's hard to do when you're in mind-numbing pain, but it does help. Relax, breathe .... roll with the pain, don't fight it. When I used to panic it made everything worse. I also have a couple fleece blankets and I'll lie with one over my head and face, so I'm only breathing in warm air. You're in my thoughts - hang in there. xxx
Hi Obsidian,
You are an angel, you are in your own pain 7-8 is up there, and you are trying to help me. Bless you so much!!!!! I am sorry you are in pain as well. I think I am at a 7-8 now too instead of 10.. boy that oragel on your gums helps a lot!!!! I am going to have to stock up on that stuff!!! Wow, even to much talking the day before can trigger this hell? that's awful... well, I am finally realizing how bad this can be, and for good or bad, I am 100% motivated now to stay on my meds.. If I don't hear from anybody by this evening that their tricyclic antidepressant, such as nortriptyline or amitriptyline made them worse, I will just think it is a coincidence and take 25mg of that baby tonight...I am going to write your answer in spirts because I have a bad internet connection that dies fairly quickly.....
Meditation often helps! (Tarabrach.com is a good starter) so does a good rice sock! Fill a men’s sock 3/4 way with rice and throw in some dried lavender. Sew or tie the end very securely. Heat in 30 min increments in microwave until warm. Shake the rice around. If you can stand it on your face, use it there. Otherwise, use it on your neck/shoulders because often those tighten as we fight pain, then cause more pain.
I have some Tramadol for when all else fails. It is synthetic (I’m allergic to morphine), and is supposed to be non addictive. I will say I personally don’t find I ever “need” it physically. I don’t take it unless I really need it. This past week … Whew! Week before, nope. I go get an upper back massage once in a while and sit up for it. Hang in there hon! You are not alone! Hugs
Did you mean 30 second intervals in the microwave?
APR said:
Meditation often helps! (Tarabrach.com is a good starter) so does a good rice sock! Fill a men's sock 3/4 way with rice and throw in some dried lavender. Sew or tie the end very securely. Heat in 30 min increments in microwave until warm. Shake the rice around. If you can stand it on your face, use it there. Otherwise, use it on your neck/shoulders because often those tighten as we fight pain, then cause more pain.
I have some Tramadol for when all else fails. It is synthetic (I'm allergic to morphine), and is supposed to be non addictive. I will say I personally don't find I ever "need" it physically. I don't take it unless I really need it. This past week ... Whew! Week before, nope. I go get an upper back massage once in a while and sit up for it. Hang in there hon! You are not alone! Hugs
Oh no! Sorry you are in pain :( I think it is coincidental timing with the Nortriptyline. I am assuming it is similar to Amitriptyline in that it takes quite some time for it to become affective and 10mgs is a very small dose. I find with the A. when I switch dosages it takes a good couple of weeks.
I think your visit to the dentist plus being under stress, feeling depressed or anxious are probably what have done this. I totally freaked out about a month ago when I started having bilateral pain. I wasn't sleeping and had a lot of anxiety. The pain spike was frightening and I did go to the ER--three times. Once I settled down about it and got some rest things didn't feel quite so dire.
If you are in agony of course go to the ER. It is really hit and miss with this though. Last time I went they did give me Vicoden. It relaxed me but did nothing for the pain.
Do the little things that help--get some sleep, Oragel, heating pads...I also find that Voltaren Emugel helps if I rub it all around the jaw and cheek area (it is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory-over the counter-for muscle pain). Tylenol 3's help me because they knock me out. I also take a half a Lorazapam if my mind will not shut off.
You are not alone-you know that :) Send me a message and let me know how you are doing!!! I will be thinking about you and hoping your pain subsides
As I've read everyones suggestions here, they are all fantastic! But, if you are debating on going to the ER at this point, as you were a few hours ago, I suggest you go in.
I used to be stubborn and avoid going in at all costs, but, then I had a seizure during a flare up, and promised my daughter I wouldn't let it get that bad again.
My thought is, if you can get the relief there, go! Why fight it?\
What they do for me is give me three shots, Diluadid, Benedryl, and Phenegran. If what they do doesn't quite work for you, speak up, they'll add on to it. My biggest suggestion on top of that is, be sure to drink lots of water during the process, if it feels best, even warm. I say this because I didn't and felt like I had a horrible hangover the next day, (thats actually why I avoided the ER), but I figured out that keeping myself hydrated was the key.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and keep us updated.
We've all been to the hell you're in now, and know how horrible it is.
A big, but gentle hug!
I just back back from urgent care... he gave me tramadol hci 50mg... I am afraid to take it now, even though the pain is back to 10plus... it feels like someone is taking a knife to my gums and my teeth hurt so bad... never in a million years did I think the pain could be this bad... now something else is going on which complicates things.. I have a 99.3 temp and had it also on Friday , could have been there yesterday but I didn't check... and the dr thought I was somewhat swollen on the right side of my face where all the pain is..now I am thinking that on top of the legitmate trigeminal nerve pain in many many teeth, I think perhaps one of the teeth , (that has been hurting since getting a cavity filling in it since Oct 30)could possibly have an absess/infection and that is why I have a low grade fever, and it hurts like all hell... anyways, I love you all, you are my new best friends for being here for me during this horrendous pain!!!! with all my heart, thank you Elvera
APR said:
Meditation often helps! (Tarabrach.com is a good starter) so does a good rice sock! Fill a men's sock 3/4 way with rice and throw in some dried lavender. Sew or tie the end very securely. Heat in 30 min increments in microwave until warm. Shake the rice around. If you can stand it on your face, use it there. Otherwise, use it on your neck/shoulders because often those tighten as we fight pain, then cause more pain.
I have some Tramadol for when all else fails. It is synthetic (I'm allergic to morphine), and is supposed to be non addictive. I will say I personally don't find I ever "need" it physically. I don't take it unless I really need it. This past week ... Whew! Week before, nope. I go get an upper back massage once in a while and sit up for it. Hang in there hon! You are not alone! Hugs
Can I ask if you know why you had a seizure during a flare up? I just have never heard of this.
Thanks
blueeyedgirl said:
As I've read everyones suggestions here, they are all fantastic! But, if you are debating on going to the ER at this point, as you were a few hours ago, I suggest you go in.
I used to be stubborn and avoid going in at all costs, but, then I had a seizure during a flare up, and promised my daughter I wouldn't let it get that bad again.
My thought is, if you can get the relief there, go! Why fight it?\
What they do for me is give me three shots, Diluadid, Benedryl, and Phenegran. If what they do doesn't quite work for you, speak up, they'll add on to it. My biggest suggestion on top of that is, be sure to drink lots of water during the process, if it feels best, even warm. I say this because I didn't and felt like I had a horrible hangover the next day, (thats actually why I avoided the ER), but I figured out that keeping myself hydrated was the key.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and keep us updated.
We've all been to the hell you're in now, and know how horrible it is.
A big, but gentle hug!
I wish i had an answer for you,but I haven’t been given an answer myself, beyond being told that my body "checked out"because of that extreme episode. Since then, I’m waiting for a permanent neurologist, that I can ask those questions. (My initial one left the practice, and who I’ve been seeing are ones that are just filling in). Anyways, I am with you on that question, cuz I’ve never heard of it either!
That is very frightening! I guess that could be a possibility. I hope it never happens to you again :)
Thanks
blueeyedgirl said:
I wish i had an answer for you,but I haven't been given an answer myself, beyond being told that my body "checked out"because of that extreme episode. Since then, I'm waiting for a permanent neurologist, that I can ask those questions. (My initial one left the practice, and who I've been seeing are ones that are just filling in). Anyways, I am with you on that question, cuz I've never heard of it either!
Hi again Scared & Angry gal,
I'm so glad you got some help from urgent care. The tramadol might help - I've had a prescription for it and took it before bed on bad nights until recently (I had to stop because it was causing problems with the nerve damage to my bladder from a surgery 12 years ago). I was taking it with one extra strength Tylenol (500mg) and the combination made me relaxed and a drowsy enough to be less aware of the pain. I was disappointed that I had to stop it, because I've had no luck with medications (even developed an allergy to ibuprofen last year). Just being able to rely on that combination to get some sleep was a bonus.
Perhaps you should call your dentist tomorrow morning, just in case you do have an abscess/infection brewing. The fever you mentioned sounds a little suspicious. I really, really hope you get some relief soon and the pain subsides. xxx