Hi everyone. I'm a 52 years young married lady, and I was just diagnosed with TN.
My first "attack" occurred about 2 months ago. I thought it might be TMD, because I had been cracking a lot of sunflower seeds, so I stopped that. I had the pain for about 3 weeks. Some nights I had it, some I didn't. No more than 2 per night. Then it all just stopped.
Last weekend, it started back - with a vengeance. One attack after another...most lasting 2-10 minutes, one lasted 30 minutes. Sometimes only 5 minutes in between....other times hours in between.
When I have the pain, there are sometimes a few shooting pains, but for the most part it starts in one of my "pain" spots and spreads and builds until it's agonizing. And it sustains at that level until it fades out. All I can do is sit on the bed and rock and cry. The current periods of pain are lasting anywhere from 2 minutes to 15 minutes and are wearing me down because there is so little time in between them.
I have been on Gabapentin 1800mg per day, for a spinal issue for a year and a half. I am also on Exemestane, to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer, so I can't take the Tegritol. So the Dr. upped my Gabapentin to 2400 mg per day.
Has anyone had any success with Gabapentin? If this doesn't work, I'm going to have to talk to my oncologist about seeing if we can switch my Exemestane so that I can try Tegritol.
You are not alone. Wish I could take your pain away! I'm 53, diagnosed in 2010. 9 surgeries. Taking 2400mg Gabapentin coupled with 600mg of Tegretol and 10mg of Lexapro to raise seratonin levels to help with the pain. In addition, I have a brain stimulator implanted. All of this....I still have pain every single day.! I saw a discussion recently about resetting the nerve. I am looking at this as an option. I think it is worth exploring. Do you have cognitive issues since taking the Gabapentin? I feel like these drugs have stolen my ability to function normally.
I just started Lyrica a fortnight ago. I was told that it would take this long to begin working and it does seem to be. My doctor talked me into it because she said that it was now the number one choice for neuropathic pain, in Australia at least. Good luck with whatever you and your doctor choose.
I also am new with this wonderful pain. I have had this for 5 months before I was diagnosed. My pain doctor also put me on Lyrica to start I truly do hope it works. I also take a relaxer /or anti depressant not all the time but when it is a full blown mess. Good luck to all and will share if I get any thing new to work with.
I tend to have memory issues, and I'm grateful for a husband who reminds me to do things like take medication and when I have an appointment the next day. I also sometimes loose my train of thought....but I figured that might just be due to age. LOL!
Hi! I am sorry to hear about all that you are going through! I have had ATN X 23yrs.What has really helped me is Homeopathy!I take swanson migraine Relief(it has Coffea Cruda in it that helps with teeth pain), Hylands Migraine that works for pulsing,throbbing pain,Boiron Sinusalia that has Spigelia(is specific to the Trigeminal nerve) and it helps keeps sinus passage clear so less pain there!And Swansons Earache relief helps with burning,boring pain that starts in the ear and spreads.These are all very affordable and I am so glad I have them!I hope you get relief soon!!!
I am so sorry to hear about your pain, it is awful. Before I had my surgery 7 months ago I was on Gabapentin, but that stopped working for me and my Dr. Added Dilantin, which did help. I hope that you get relief very soon.