According to the literature on meds, anti-seizure medications are supposed to be the miracle drugs for people with TN. I am, like MANY others with TN, are NOT helped at all by this class of drugs. In fact, the literature also says that opiods offer little relief for people with TN. That’s funny since it’s the ONLY class of drugs that helps. My theory is that the government doesn’t want people to be prescribed pain killers so they adjust what the doctors write in the literature to exclude the efficacy of pain medications, almost completely. However, they can’t ignore mountains of anecdotal evidence by patients that say only narcotics help, and that seizure drugs actually make the pain worse in a lot of cases. That is such bullshit! Excuse me for swearing, please…but i’m just so angry and fed up with not being helped by someone that all they have to do it take 10 seconds to write a script and sign their name. That’s all! It’s really sad…truly…
Hi Christopher. Saw your post and had to tell you that I am finding the same thing. I have just recently been diagnosed and was started on a low dose of Neurontin until I can see a neurologist. I’ll tell you one thing, if I hadn’t been prescribed Vicodin, I’m not sure I’d be here right now. It was the ONLY thing that has taken the edge off and then later actually pain free. I have been rationing out what Vicodin I have left, and truly scared I’ll have another intense episode before Friday. And two different doctors, knowing this and how upset and scared I am, still ‘can’t prescribe anything like that’ until I come in. And I have a feeling they won’t then either. If people are having pain, and especially the type of pain with TN, they should prescribe with no questions asked. (And definitely if someone is diagnosed and its on the books!) Health care professionals are there supposedly to help people and make things better. Yet when we need medical help, we have to jump through hoops. I’m getting even more anxious just writing this. But again, I agree with you Christopher. Truly hope it gets better for you!
I've read a lot of literature that backs this up.
Chronic pain patients are not likely to become addicted to their medication. Their tolerance will go up, but that is normal. The become "dependent" upon it, but there is a difference between "addiction" and "dependency".
I am "dependent" upon opiates for a functional existence. I never wanted to be this way. I do not get "high" on them. They saved my life!
You're preaching to the choir here.