Hi Vicdoc. Thank you so much for the kind words. I have just posted an update in a new topic in TN discussions. Long long story short it seems there may be a dental issue going on. I went back to my dentist today AGAIN and she X-ray’d and thinks I may have an abscess deep in my back left molar. Absolutely no symptoms at the gums. Last check up and X-rays were OK. So my journey takes me to the endodontist tomorrow. So strange all of this. Strange that the first doctors I went to all said TN and now it may be dental, its usually the other way around. Anyhow, I will need to see some pretty clear evidence on an X-ray before anyone is root canalling my tooth. I’ll update tomorrow. Never thought I’d be thrilled to hear I have a tooth abscess. Cheers Java
Tooth problem is better than brain problem, for sure. Wishing you the best!
A neurologist is the first approach to this severe affliction. A MRI is usually required to rule out tumors or acoustical neuromas. If the neurologist is looking for a compression (artery or vein) this can only be seen with the proper protocol by the radiologist and make sure he/she is a neuro radiologist. Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is not only the first medication to try but is also diagnostic, ie, if the pain stops you have TN. Also, even if an MRI with the proper protocol and a neuro radiologist does not show a compression it doesn’t mean that one is not there. Good luck to you and to repeat another, don’t have any dental work done as it is probably not necessary.
Hi there, my atypical TN is also on my left side. Mine started with the icepick in the ear pain, which is called Geniculate Neuralgia. So we have 2 nerves affected. Just lucky I guess.
Best wishes,
Sheila
Glad Java might be dental after all, probably easier to deal with.
Sheila-W, two neuralgias i’d be looking at a common nerve pathway, i.e. a common nerve pathway such as the trigeminal nucleus in your neck, if the case, luck would have little to do with it
Hello aiculsamoth, Yes, found a common cause. Vagus nerve damage, which is a nerve coming from the brainstem, and when it starts to mis-fire, the shocks or connections can affect the other nerves close to it, and the TN and GN nerve are very close to the vagus nerve. Feels pretty unlucky to have all the conditions this causes with few to no remedies.
Cali,
Thanks so much for sharing the information about Nyloxin. I had never heard of that so of course I had to check it out. I ordered the roll-on analgesic, forgot that you mentioned an oral spray. But so far I really like this product! It is a very mellow anaesthetic, slow to come on, but lasts a long time for me. I may have to take another look at the oral spray and see if that is a different formulation.
Hi Java, it looks as if events have overtaken our discussion. It is several years since I first had facial pain and I can’t remember how it started. I only know that the occasional nerve shocks were horrendous. I tried tegretol but was scared of the side effects, I’ve never had Lyrica. As I said, my pain was due to a displaced jaw disc. I still have problems but nothing like as bad as they were. Good luck with your search for a diagnosis. It took me a long time.
Ziggy,
I also use the gel for arthritis in my hands. The oral spray is more systemic so that is what helps with my facial pain. I haven’t tried the gel on my ear because it is so painful to touch, but may reconsider that option as well. Glad it is helpful for you!
What has caused your vagus nerve damage at the brainstem, my anatomy gets rustier, i’ll have to look to Mr Google. Either way I’m interested as to what you have learnt and how you intend to move forward SW, regards.
Aiculsamoth,
The vagus nerve starts in the brain stem, goes down the sides of the neck and then winds through the torso, controlling many different organs. I have 3 conditions that can damage the vagus nerve, so the doctors aren’t sure what exactly caused it, or a combination of all 3. Diabetes, lupus, and repeated concussions can all cause damage to the vagus nerve. I’m still researching and learning how to heal the vagus nerve. Very few doctors in N. America are even aware of conditions of the vagus nerve, or about dysautonomia, the conditions that come from a damaged vagus nerve. If you can find a Dr. who knows anything at all about it, he/she will know by the different organs that are affected, different symptoms of dysautonomia. They seem to know more about it in the UK than in N. America, so the main website about it originates from there. There is also a list of doctors on the site that know about dysautonomia. You can learn more at www.dysautonomiainternational.org.
Kind regards,
Sheila