# Need Advice **URL:** \ **Category:** General TN & GPN (Old Site)\ **Created:** [September 17, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352 "2012-09-17T00:35:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Trisha](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/trisha/32/1034_2.png) [@Trisha](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Trisha)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/1 "2012-09-17T00:35:08Z")
Hi, I’m new to this group. I started experiencing left sided facial pain 4 days ago, yesterday was so unbearable I ended up at the urgent care. The doctor there told me I have trigeminal neuralgia. No tests were run or anything she just based this off of my symptoms. She prescribed me 200mg of carbamazepine once a day and some Vicodin for pain. I haven’t yet taken the carbamazepine because I am scared and unsure that I want to take something so serious when I’m not even sure that her diagnosis is correct. This is the first time that I’ve experienced this type of pain. I had a cold earlier in the week and just thought I had a terrible ear/sinus infection. I had some dental work done a couple months ago on the left side and my teeth had caused varying amounts of pain since but nothing that wouldn’t go away after a couple ibuprofen. Could this be a tooth issue? How do I even go about getting an accurate diagnosis? My husband recently switched jobs and we won’t have health insurance again for a couple months, is this something that will get progressively worse or will I be okay to wait until we’re insured again? Any help is much appreciated thank you! ---
**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:** [September 17, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/2 "2012-09-17T01:44:53Z")
There are two types of TN Pain - some of the time starts shortly after dental procedures MANY here have gone on to have more and more and more dental work done all for nothing - so don't take that as your first route TN1 is a lightning bolt zap type of pain that comes in spurts the other type is a burning pain/boring/ and doesn't come and go so much just stays the med you were given was correct - anti-seizure meds most times this cannot be shown on MRI - doctors just go on patient symptoms because we are rare 12 in 100,000 You can go to a neurologist and get confirmation--Find one that DOES already have TN patients. You can ask for Rx lidocaine patches from your regular doctor for topical relief - you just cut the size you want and cuts pain down for 12 hours. It takes a couple of weeks of the med to start working - and most go up from there Keep reading and asking while you are figuring this out - we'll help you along! you can go to google - then go to images - then type in trigeminal neuralgia -- will show graphics of where TN pains are and how they go from the brain to face/teeth If you have this - we go in and out of remission with meds or surgery - for now it's a permanent condition until more research and a cure come along. ---
**Author:** ![Shawnamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Shawnamo](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Shawnamo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 1:55am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/3 "2012-09-17T01:55:57Z")
Trisha, I am new as well, going on 4 weeks. I don’t have enough knowledge yet to help you, but it is nice to know we are not alone. Shawna ---
**Author:** ![Trisha](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/trisha/32/1034_2.png) [@Trisha](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Trisha)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/4 "2012-09-17T02:05:04Z")
Thank you so much for your replies, it really helps to talk with other people. When I was told this yesterday I just felt terrified and depressed from everything I was reading on the Internet. Today is not so bad. I’m curious how bad side effects from the anti-seizure medicine are? For me the pain so far a constant dull ache with brief episodes of intense stabbing pain seeming to originate from my teeth/jaw. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/5 "2012-09-17T02:10:08Z")
Pharmacist is under-utilized resource - tell them what you want to know. Most complain of fuzzy thinking - on higher doses - nothing fatal-- but the neurologist you find should be able to guide you if you need to go up on dose If you do think you have TN besides coming here - we have a very comprehensive book we use - it's the only one on TN with so many options - "Striking Back" by Dr. Ken Casey and google those images! ---
**Author:** ![Shawnamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Shawnamo](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Shawnamo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/6 "2012-09-17T02:13:16Z")
My pain is the same as you describe and also on the left side, I went to two dentists sure I had a bad tooth. It is scary reading all the stuff online. I have figured out that air blowing on my left cheek/jaw is a trigger. Please let me know what you find out as time goes on. ---
**Author:** ![Trisha](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/trisha/32/1034_2.png) [@Trisha](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Trisha)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/7 "2012-09-17T02:13:36Z")
Yes I did google the images and they do seem right in line with where I am experiencing pain. I am curious if this gets progressively worse? ---
**Author:** ![Trisha](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/trisha/32/1034_2.png) [@Trisha](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Trisha)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/8 "2012-09-17T02:25:10Z")
Shawna- I haven’t found any triggers yet, things that seem to help are chewing/eating (oddly enough) and hot showers. I think possibly the cold makes it worse but I am not sure on that yet. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/9 "2012-09-17T02:49:34Z")
Usually it takes more and more med trials/doses to make life bearable. I would say that makes it progressive - The meds drove me to THE top surgeon out of state - but you have to try a few meds before you need go that far ---
**Author:** ![Trisha](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/trisha/32/1034_2.png) [@Trisha](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Trisha)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/10 "2012-09-17T03:00:53Z")
I’ve never been one to take medicine for anything really other than headaches, what about alternative therapy? I’m sorry I ask so many questions, my Internet service is limited to my phone until I get back to my computer tomorrow so I haven’t been able to read a whole bunch of stuff. I’ve been able to manage my pain today with ibuprofen every 4 hours, it is still painful but I am getting by. I’m hoping I can hold off on doctors appointments until I get insurance again in 2 months. ---
**Author:** ![Shawnamo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Shawnamo](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Shawnamo)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/11 "2012-09-17T03:27:51Z")
I am not one to take any medicine either. And I try to avoid Doctors and Dentists as much as possible. I have been very fortunate til now. Haven't had to go to the Doctor in 4 years. Very seldom do I even take tylenol. But that has all changed now. I am also interested in any alternative therapy. Let me know if you find anything. Don't be sorry for asking questions. If I had any answers I would gladly share. Trisha said: > I've never been one to take medicine for anything really other than headaches, what about alternative therapy? I'm sorry I ask so many questions, my Internet service is limited to my phone until I get back to my computer tomorrow so I haven't been able to read a whole bunch of stuff. I've been able to manage my pain today with ibuprofen every 4 hours, it is still painful but I am getting by. I'm hoping I can hold off on doctors appointments until I get insurance again in 2 months. ---
**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:** [September 17, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/need-advice/3352/12 "2012-09-17T05:53:05Z")
**The book "Striking Back" has alternative things - accupuncture - vitamin B-12 - and way to many here to name!** **While I had to go off a med - I found a lady who does Reiki (energy healing) - it worked for 3 weeks - it was an unexpected gift!** **Now THATs alternative as it gets LOL**