I've had what Dr. Okeson, well known dentist in the area of TN, diagnosed me as having neuropathic pain that seems to originate from my front tooth. Generally, all symptoms are consistent with TN type 2 pain. This started seven years ago. Originally, I engaged in treatments that were not effective. The explanation was that these treatments are aligned with a diagnosis that indicates a "peripheral" issue rather than a CNS issue. Hence, a root canal or removal of the tooth, or even surgery to remove more of the nerve is more likely to be harmful and virtually never helpful. Yet, I am dumbfounded that one beer with a meal will within an hour increase and sustain a higher level of continuous pain. This is not about whether or not alcohol can be used to self medicate, but rather how is it that alcohol can impact pain. My rather simplistic explanation is that alcohol dilates the blood vessels and presses against a damaged nerve. If this is the case, then maybe I am dealing with a peripheral issue. Then again, the one intrusive treatment was a root canal and a great amount of lidocain failed to numb the surgery. And, I did have an injection of lidocain into the trigeminal nerve and that failed to block the pain, as well. Nonetheless, why does a sight amount of alcohol consistently lead to an increase in pain...rather dramatically, so.
I’m not a nurse, but I think the alcohol does dilate vessels which beat on the nerve.
Ever tried lidocaine mouthwash?
If I had to endure pain with TN and drinking, I would use a straw!
: )
Kc D.
Coping is not what I'm after. I have a totally indifferent neurologist.Hence, no
reliable source to get better diagnostic information. So, until I do I thought
that I would see if anything surfaces here.
My hypothesis is that if the problem really is "peripheral" then perhaps I have been wrong to
hunker down and avoid anything intrusive. Does my experience with alcohol tell me something
that would be productive toward changing my treatment approach???????
RE a straw...remember pain radiates from my front tooth. Sucking sucks! I'm always reminded about how alone we are in understanding ourselves.
I used to drink one beer a day , but I have increased it to 2 a day. I have had this pain for ten years now. I have tried drinking 2 shots of whiskey and 2 beers once in a while, but I will suffer big time the next day.
Jeffrey,
What's your diagnosis? type 1 or type 2, both? Is there a highly focused spot from which
your pain originates?...like for me it's a single tooth. Alcohol makes it worse but the ramp up
in symptoms is not immediate? Anyone explain why alcohol makes it worse?
JEFFREY AUDETTE said:
I used to drink one beer a day , but I have increased it to 2 a day. I have had this pain for ten years now. I have tried drinking 2 shots of whiskey and 2 beers once in a while, but I will suffer big time the next day.