I have had TN since 1996, diagnosed in 2008. Usually I have a six-week relapse that is pretty much constant pain during the time I'm awake, starting the moment I brush my teeth or touch my face. Starting Easter Sunday, the pain returned with the last relapse being in January 2012. So the first few days were the same, then the pain kind of moved to the night. If I laid down, it started. If I touched my face it started. Yesterday I didn't have a single pain, then today, it is back in subtle ways. I have pain that is either rapid and back-to-back to the point that it feels like the spasms last as much as several minutes. That said, today's subtle, quick spasms or maybe shocks is a better word is different. Also, to have a day off so to speak is new. Have you experienced this? Have you see the TN pattern change? I went twelve years between occurrences, only to have one in 2008, then again in 2011, and now twice this year so far. I am aware of my face and its presence; there is a heaviness or tension on that side. I can feel what I would imagine is my ear canal. And I am aware of my jaw bone or jawline. Anyway, the change has me confused. It is no wonder we have thousands of dollars in dental work done unnecessarily. I had just gotten to the point where I could tell it was not a bad tooth, only to have the pattern change. Any thoughts?
I am going to try Baclofen soon after I am off meds that I taking now. That is a gaba inhibitor which is suppose to help with the tightness. Doctor told me that when nerve is damaged or injury its the brain that is perceiving it this way. I don't care how it preceives it I want something to fix it. He also told me if I can tolerate higher Gapabentin this will also ease it up. Will see. My face does this all day long, Tight, lose, quivering feeling. Its sickening already. I have no quality of life. Doctor still believes its a vein compressing nerve, that what was seen on MRI. I went for routine dental cleaner and this turned on like a light. I believe the cleanings irritated the nerve since their so close to your teeth. Thats what I believe. They say its just coincidental. BULL! If I didn't go that day I would have been fine. OH and the doctor put gluma desensitizer on my teeth just after cleaning which your not suppose to do. Gums have to heal first, but what did I no. This stuff is toxic.
I most certainly believe dental trauma led to my TN and exacerbates it. I cry when the dentist comes near me with an injection b/c I know he could anger the beast of TN. And, a friend of mine was reading an article on mercury in dental work and its alleged connection to TN eventually being diagnosed. It certainly gave me pause.
Pebbles ! -
this is no life. i read you all and all here.. and it's amazing we all go through the SAME .
eish there were people here , where i lived , that we could meet and support.
about gum cleaning ! my case also started with gum cleaning.. which afterward i felt "weird" like sensitive to air and stuff... but didn't really noticed it. later done some dental work - and after ONE specific dental work - the nightmare began.
i also new one guy that it happened to him after a dental CLREANING. he said the dental cleaning uses an electric device.. and it started his TN (at least was the trigger). he has done an MRI - and found a blood vessle and then has done MVD - and was pain free.
after a few years - he has done AGAIN a dental cleaning .. with electric device at a doctor - again he god the sever pains. again he has done the MVD and was pain free.
wierd.. but worth eploring (REd.. for you info)... it's so strange...what in the dental clening could trigger a blood vessel to strated effecting it's vicious effect ? and twice...
there is so much medical mystery in that diesease.
Amy, I can say that my pain has evolved in nature over the years. It is more intense and also has moved about a good bit but always returns to it’s “favourite” spot. I think “it” misses it’s original site and has to revisit. I consider TN to be like my little alien which lives within me and pops up just when I don’t need to see him.
nce. Can anyone else relate? Could it be my progression? I feel better when I understand what to expect. I don't know whEaster Sunday was the latest relapse for my TN...I went Wednesday thru Saturday of this week without pain, but woke up with that heavy, uncomfortable feeling in my life side that I can feel in my ear canal and face, the kind that promises to turn into spasms and that already offers little waves of pain in my cheek. I have never had it come and go within the same episode. It has been full-force, then slowly dissipates to fewer and fewer pains until one day it stops, only to return with a vengeance to expect with this latest relapse, you know?