The pain came back Easter Sunday, then relented for a few days only to return with a vengeance last Friday...my first episode was in 1996, but still I wonder if it could be a tooth. I'm going to my primary care physician and my dentist today to rule out any other causes. I think it's as a precaution but in light of my history of dental problems I worry. Actually, come to think of it, I wonder if the dental work from the past was not TN all along. I'm sure that's typical but at what point will I stop looking for other causes? Someone posted earlier wishing her family was more understanding. I think I doubt things in myself too, almost as if I should not blame TN. Denial? a sense that others do not believe its severity? Wishful thinking?
One of the hard realities for TN patients is that the symptoms often overlap those of dental problems. And when you've been dealing with TN for quite a time as you have, you can have a spontaneous emergence of the same dental problems that anybody else has, on top of the TN pain.
Probably the best guidance is not to have root canal or other dental procedures unless there is clear evidence of need based on detected abnormalities in dental X-rays. If you must have dental work done, then many neurologists would advise you to have your managing physician authorize a short-term "loading up" on medications you take to handle the pain of TN.
I wish you wellness, Amy
R.A. "Red" Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
I appreciate your response...I was thinking this weekend about all the times I took antibiotics in preparation of root canals, only to have the pain remain despite four or five days of medication meant to leave me infection-free. I don't fault my dentist; I was not officially diagnosed until 2008 despite my first outbreak in 1996. People did not know about TN or did not see me as a candidate b/c of my age and health history. I called in at work today so I could go see my PCP and dentist as a precaution; I usually try to work in spite of the pain b/c it is no better or worse if I am at home or work. I recognize that stress exacerbates it and rest can ease it, but emotionally I do not do well if I am simply sitting. I wonder if part of me does not want it to be TN...I have not reached resignation yet. I am alarmed by the recent progression. I went from 1996 to 2008 without an episode, though honestly I had extensive dental work done then (about $7000 worth after insurance had paid its part) and may have had episodes without realizing it. Then again in 2010, 2011, and now three times this year so far. It doesn't paint a very bright outlook for me; I'm sure many of you can empathize.