Yes or No…I brought this upon myself when I had one of my tattoos done and was chomping down on something to get through THAT pain?
Yes or No…More than likely not associate with the close proximity of timing of starting Zyprexa?
Yes or No…The 2 horrid, never felt anything like them eye pain w/headache attacks on 2 successive days months and months ago were the first signs?
Yes or No…Others have family members accuse you of becoming obsessed with this condition?
Regards,
Phoebe
The following are my personal answers to the questions you've posted, Phobe. I invite and urge others to add their own insights.
1) NOBODY brings this pain on themselves. PERIOD.
2) I know of no association between Zyprexa and face pain.
3) Eye pain associated with sharp headache attacks can be an initiating symptom of TN or ATN. However, they can also be symptoms of Cluster Headache or SUNCT headaches, which are treated differently than TN.
4) A lot of patients report problems with family members who don't "get" this condition. Obsession come up in that sort of conversation. If I recall correctly from your past postings, in your specific case, the discussion gets complicated by family members inability to understand how you are affected by treatment for bipolar disorder. Bipolar and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder aren't the same beast and aren't treated the same way, but they can get mished together in the thinking of people who lack training in psychology or medicine.
Hang in there, lady. It will get better.
Red
1. No, I have read nothing that states this condition can be brought on by anything. Some say maybe some type of MAJOR trauma, but that's not biting down for a tattoo.
2. I have not found anything that says medications bring it on.
3. For three years, I have suffered from major migraines and jaw pain. Doctor though TMJ and migraines. He is now saying that it was probably TN all the time, just working it's way in it' intensity. I was being treated with vicodin and flexerill for TMJ, and Vicodin and some other pill that in combination they knocked me out.
4. I don't really talk to anyone about my condition per se. When I do, it is in passing, and we continue to talk about a variety of things. My parents don't mind me talking about it and in fact, want to know more, in order to help me get through things.
You didn't ask for any of this. None of us did. We just gotta try to make the best of it.
One day at a time. :) Peace, Min
Phoebe, I know where your coming from. I go over every area of my life before TN struck to see what I did to contribute to it. I had cosmetic laser treatment and I also had a very tense jaw whilst having this done, and the same thought went through my mind. I am careful now to try to relax the jaw and I exercise it by stretching it. It may be all in the mind but it seems to help.
Oh thank you so much for the comments.
Yesterday I did not have the pains. I MAY have felt two or three little "tingles" but I probably wouldn't know because of the pain killers, Loretab, my GP prescribed. Holey Moley I was wasted by the end of the day. I did NOT like the feeling. It sure wasn't like when I was a teen, that's for sure. I do believe I had a catch 22 on my hands, so to speak. If I didn't try to keep ahead (terminology from the doctor who admitted me to the hospital last week,) of the pain I would feel an attack, but if I took the medication as prescribed I would be high. Well, that is what happened yesterday. Actually, the side effects have been going on for a few days. Up until yesterday having the Loretab "on board" was great because although I had breakthrough pain big time the medication kept it "manageable." BUT now I don't know if I had ANY pain yesterday because I was so zoned out.
I had a friend over to help me rearrange and clean and by early evening I was falling asleep during conversations. Actually the last few days I have been doing this. During meals I'm practically dropping my fork and nodding off. Now I don't know which is worse. Yesterday morning I felt nauseous upon awakening and didn't take any meds until I had something in my stomach. Now I am awake and I THINK I feel my back tooth starting to get wonky. URRRhh, chicken or the egg time...Loretab, no pain......no Loretab, pain.....Loretab, wasted if it itsn't a TN attack......Loretab.....no pain.....feel wastetd....oh you know what I mean.
Next, issue....Now I know this is coming from the STILL SO NEW TO THIS DEPARTMENT and has probably been covered a million times, but I'm going to talk about it anyway. (cause this is ME were talking about, wow I'm feisty before pain meds,) So what do you "professionals" think? I didn't feel attacks yesterday because IT'S GOING AWAY and my trip to the Mayo is a big fat waste of everyone's time? I didn't feel the attacks yesterday because the Loretab is now coursing through by blood like a sea full of seaweed?
Are you fairly CERTAIN chomping down on that wad of paper towel during the tattoo wasn't the cause. If you finger had been in my mouth you would be fingerless guys.
Headache wise, I rarely get them. I have had 2 migraines in my life. One just before my wedding almost 30 years ago and the second one, not so sure. Very MEMORABLE. These were similar, but different. I only had these for about a short time. Then they went away. Talking 30 years or so. What is the term for thinking something is so because of something that isn't the reason? And once you have a migraine you never forget what it feels like. These just were not them. I can see where it wouldn't be Zyprexa related because now that I'm thinking with a clearer head this morning , I have been taking the Zyprexa every day and guess what...no eye pain or headaches.
ELSTEP....Yes, every area of my life is going through my head. I wrote a history of my life regarding pain and it was 50 entries long, ridiculous. I went through and took out a few things even. It's just that I had been told even the smallest thing could matter.
I don't really want to take the pain meds today so I can see if the attacks are felt but I'm scared of the attacks. It has now been since November 16 or 17 since these started and I have only had one and 1/2 days with no attacks. I began the Loretab a few days ago and yesterday was the first day I was attack free. Do you think I should not take the Loretab to see what happens? Or is it too late, I have it and it is just a coincidence I didn't have the pains yesterday or the Loretabs did their jobs. Oh, here is the strange part.....in cleaning my house my back was KILLING me. Why didn't the Loretabs help with that pain?
Best,
Pheoebe
Phoebe Lots of others on this site know much more then I do, cos I am new like you. But dont stop the medication yet, its far too soon. I will read your other points when i get back, I am having a meeting at work, as I have been off ill with this and another complaint I have. Speak soon
Okay, I am on the same pain meds. I can tell you that after 4 or 5 days, I stopped feeling that way. I can function just like before, no sleepiness. I feel just fine with it. I also felt the same as you, how can I tell? I will tell you that if you wait, like I did a few days ago, you are going to be flat on your back in pain. It's there. I promise you. The pain and everything is there. I don't take my vicodin every so many hours..... I instead, take it before I chew something (my trigger), or when I first feel the "zaps". sometimes I don't catch an attack soon enough, but the pain level then is a 5 instead of the 8 and 9's I have. I can live with that. Eventually the meds catch up with it and I am fine.