I was diagnosed in the ER a week ago yesterday. I had an ER doctor take a look at me, then listen to my history (thought it was TMJ for years). He then consulted with a neurologist that was there for another case who agreed to come in. Low and behold, TN. They believe it might be Atypical TN.
I was immediately put on Tegretol and vicodin. The first couple of days were the most painful of my life. I wanted to die. By Wednesday, the pain was there, uncomfortable, but liveable. However, I can't eat. My trigger point is in my mouth. No food, no liquids, no talking, no laughing, no brushing my teeth... nada. I think I laughed too much today and it caused breakthrough pain.
Anyway, on Wednesday, I still had so much pain I was crying at night. So I called my doctor (I have an appt for Monday anyway, but he was out for the holidays). I got a FNP who I was begging to prescribe something stronger for the pain. She instead called in gabapentin. I don't mind taking the gabapentin with the Tegretol because it takes away my nasty sleepiness I was having (hence why I am awake at 3:30 in the morning). Anyway, the pain is tolerable. I have about 1 breakthrough episode a day that requires a vicodin. I still feel it, but not as much and I can relax after the pain killer sets in.
So, I have a follow up appointment with my regular doctor. Keeping in mind that I have no health insurance... what should be my plan? What should I be asking him? What should I be pushing for with medications? What should he be asking/referring me to do? I am worried about what tegretol is going to do to my body/liver most of all. I would really like him to give me a much stronger pain killer considering the vicodin is working a little bit. Vicodin has never been effective for pain for me. When I have needed past pain meds, percocet or nothing.
I just want a game plan. Something I can go in to the office and know and ask the right questions. Also, hopefully come up with a good short term plan.