Any reclined position makes for trouble for me . Looking up at the stars at night can trigger this.
Last night was the typical cycle - air pressure = 30,25 or so - every 2 hrs pain wakes me up , trip to the rest room - upright 20-30 mins - back to sleep , do it again . Till the pain increases to where it drives me out of bed. Now up and active no problem. When air pressure is 29.70 or less this mostly will not happen . It is cold and crisp today and last night.
Also a visit from an uncle last night had a long (4hr) discussion about a lot of things - laughed and joked . Lots of talk and laughing has triggered episodes before. Could be a consideration.
I still just am waiting for MRI results and then can go from there , increase in meds and get to a veteran neurologist .
This waiting game sucks.
I am still reading the TN handbook and have found a lot of interesting things to consider and understand this better.
It is obvious to me that there is some sort of short circuit going on here .
Sometimes I eat a chocolate candy during the bad times to remind me of how good a person can feel . I focus on the wonderful taste . To me the human experience is a wonderous thing , even
'My worst day of pain - is better than nothing at all'
Thanks to all that have replied and to those that have given suggestions. I have tried elevating my body, I have a wedge pillow but it seems to put a lot of pressure on my neck, which cause me neck pain. I have even tried sleeping in a recliner and do sometimes.
The jury is still out on the new pillow that I bought. It DOES seem to help my unrelated neck pain but not necessarily the teeth pain at night. Two nights ago I found myself in so much pain when I laid down that it was simply impossible. I had to sit up and wrap my face in heat for about a half an hour until it subsided. I also took a clonazepam in the hopes that it would settle things down.
I had an appointment with my neurologist yesterday and told him about this issue but he just looked at me like I was a crazy person. We are still looking for the right combination of medications for me. He increased my dose of Lyrica, which I had expected. I take that along with Topamax. I can't tolerate more than 125 mg of Topamax a day so I take 75 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night.
I have also not been able to tolerate a lot of the other anti-seizure medications. Strangely, I have never been offered Tegretol, which seems to be what most people take. When I was finally diagnosed I was told that the only effective drug was Topamax. I am learning to be my own advocate!
Try a dose of Tegretol Cathy . It is an older form of anti seizure drug , But I think it can tell you a lot about your TN . I am not cured , but I can tell that it helps me. I am still at a lighter dose 100mg 2 times a day
It does have side effects , I seem to tolerate it .