I was just recently diagnosed with TN after a few months of thinking it was TMJ. My attacks get so bad that it takes over the right side of my neck, shoulders, and upper back. I just started taking Carbamazepine 3 days ago and of course it's a medication that takes a week or so to start taking effect, so right now I'm sitting here in excruciating pain and the only thing I can do is hope that this medication actually works. My neurologist doesn't have any openings until Thursday and this is day 3 of this face pain, so I'm getting worried it may last until I get to see him again.
Is it even worth going to the emergency room? My doctor told me that the ER wouldn't be able to do anything for me, but I'm not quite sure what else to do. I'm in college and can't seem to focus on my schoolwork because of this pain and it literally feels like someone dipped the right side of my face into the bathtub while there's thousands of electrical wires electrocuting me. Any advice?
Go to an Emergency Room, Taylor. Your doctor is incorrect. TN pain can sometimes be interrupted by a short course of Demerol or another powerful pain-killing drug. Not always, but sometimes. If your sleep patterns get interrupted by the pain, you may find yourself dealing with depression and greater pain sensitivity. Likewise, if you have pain radiating down into your upper back, then I'd intuit that you may also need to be evaluated for fibromyealgia or MS. TN doesn't commonly have major effects in the neck and back.
If you have trouble articulating the nature of your symptoms, then please print out our "Attending Physician Advisory" from the Face Pain Info tab, and fill it out before going to the ER.
Go in Peace and Power
Red Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
Thank you so much. I've been often wondering if I have Fibro because of the constant body pain I have on top of the TN. I went for an MRI yesterday and have some blood work to do to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus first. I really appreciate you replying so quickly and advising me to go. My family doesn't seem to understand what I go through with this and because of it, they aren't quick to help me seek help.
Richard A. "Red" Lawhern said:
Go to an Emergency Room, Taylor. Your doctor is incorrect. TN pain can sometimes be interrupted by a short course of Demerol or another powerful pain-killing drug. Not always, but sometimes. If your sleep patterns get interrupted by the pain, you may find yourself dealing with depression and greater pain sensitivity. Likewise, if you have pain radiating down into your upper back, then I'd intuit that you may also need to be evaluated for fibromyealgia or MS. TN doesn't commonly have major effects in the neck and back.
If you have trouble articulating the nature of your symptoms, then please print out our "Attending Physician Advisory" from the Face Pain Info tab, and fill it out before going to the ER.
Go in Peace and Power
Red Lawhern, Ph.D.
Resident Research Analyst, LwTN
If your pain is severe, go to the emergency room. I experienced the exact same scenario as you have described. The emergency Dr. gave me a shot of morphine and sent me home. At least I was pain free for a day until I could get in to see Neurologist. Good luck.