I saw a neuologist and she confirmed that I have trigeminol neuralgia in my jaw on the left side, but I was so nervous, and she even asked if I get headaches, that I didn't tell her I am getting migraines (when I hear the word "headache" I don't think of migraine -- just a querk of mine, I guess). I used to get migraines on the left side for about 20 years but they were cured 5 years ago by my favorite pill, Topomax. I never had another migraine since. But after a few strikes to my jaw (not right away), the migraines started. They only come when I'm having jaw pain. I am on 400 mgs. of Tegregol with 900 mgs. of Neurontin and they are not working.
Are migraines a part of Trigeminal Neuralgia, or is stress bringing them on? It would be odd if it's stress, because the 100 mgs. of Topomax has kept them from coming for so long (and I'm sure I've had stress in the last 5 years!)
Red, do you have an answer for me? I don't see my neurologist until the middle of December.
Migraines are frequently "co-morbid" with TN (occur in the same people), but I've seen no evidence that migraines are caused by TN. Stress might be a factor, but it's by no means the only cause of Migraines. Call your neurologist office and let them know you're having a recurrence of Migraines. They may be able to raise your dose levels on Topomax, or add an additional migraine preventative med.
For whatever this distinction may be worth, there probably are no medication "cures" for Migraine -- though there are several meds which prevent or moderate such headaches.
Thank you for answering so quickly. I had a neurologist before this one who did try to raise the Topomax for one week and it didn't help so he stopped it. He tried Imitrex and it didn't work. He tried Pamelor and I couldn't sleep on it. Neither of these worked 20 years ago either. I don't know why the increase in Topomax didn't help. That's why I think it's the TN.
So, I guess I'll just have to live with them, as awful as they are.