I have been diagnosed through drug trial and error and symptoms of course to have ATN on my left side, at first it started with my ear and head then spread to my upper jaw and teeth. I recently received a copy of Striking Back in the mail and am getting through the information as quickly as my pain will allow me. I have been on Amitriptiline /Noritriptiline since the beginning (almost a year ago) and have tried everything from Naproxen and antibiotics to Tripetol which i couldn't tolerate as i broke out in a itchy rash and got numbness in my legs and hands after 3 days. I am going back to the gabapentin because as far as i can tell it has the best results for ATN and the pain is just too much to deal. I stopped taking after Gabapentin after 6 days last time because i have 3 children to look after and a household to run i just don't know how long i can cope feeling like a drugged zombie but i need to give it a decent trial to see if it really will help relieve the pain. I'm all for trying CAM therapies and have cut out all meat/ dairy / processed foods from my diet and added B Complex and Magnesium. My biggest annoyance is not being able to talk to someone local with a knowledge about what i am going through and what to try next? Is there anyone in NZ that can recommend a GP/ Neurologist that has EXPERIENCE in dealing with ATN? I have been referred to a Neuro Surgeon through the public system but am dreading going to yet another specialist who uses google to research and knows less about than me!
Hi Emily, sorry to hear you are having such a miserable time.
Where are you in NZ?
I haven't had a lot of joy from my neurologist (in Wellington), so will ask for a different referral I think, but I do know someone who has a neuro they are very happy with in Auckland. Are you able to get to Auckland easily?
Check out the facebook group and ask there,... it's Trigeminal Neuralgia Support New Zealand. Hope this is a bit of a help.
Hi Emily, sorry to hear you are having such a miserable time.
Where are you in NZ?
I haven't had a lot of joy from my neurologist (in Wellington), so will ask for a different referral I think, but I do know someone who has a neuro they are very happy with in Auckland. Are you able to get to Auckland easily?
Check out the facebook group and ask there,... it's Trigeminal Neuralgia Support New Zealand. Hope this is a bit of a help.
Wishing you pain-free days.
Thank you Paddy, Have joined now and will re-ask on Facebook. I am in Hamilton so Auckland is certainly an option should I find a specialist in TN? Much appreciated.
I am in Auckland, and would love to have a real live person to talk to about this! I only was given the TN diagnosis a few days ago, and I am feeling nervous about the future. If you would like to catch up, let me know. It would be nice to be able to go through this together. :-) (I'm 36 with 4 kids)
I'm sorry to hear that you have had this diagnosis, I am happy to pass on my email address elrendle@gmail.com you can contact me through there. I would highly recommend getting a copy of Striking Back if you are able to read it's full of great information an drugs, surgeries and alternative therapies as well. Hear from you soon :)
mumto4 said:
Hi Emily,
I am in Auckland, and would love to have a real live person to talk to about this! I only was given the TN diagnosis a few days ago, and I am feeling nervous about the future. If you would like to catch up, let me know. It would be nice to be able to go through this together. :-) (I'm 36 with 4 kids)