My triggers are cold air/wind, brushing my teeth, applying make-up (sometimes). Often, there seems to be no trigger - I just wake up in the morning and am in pain. I am lucky enough to have almost constant pain in my teeth, upper lip and nose. I also get the insane lighting bolt to the tongue. Basically everyday my cheek feels like I'm sunburned, my jaw throbs and lately it feels like someone is hammering a stake up my nose - my nose (inside and out) gets very cold.
I guess, I kind of work with the triggers. Last night for the first time in my life, I wrapped a scarf around my face when walking my dogs. I've never been a scarf person - but it helped.
Wow! Lori, you seem to have way too much going on. I applaud your strength and positive attitude. Keep the faith.
Hugs, Kim
tobythej said:
Hi, I saw this forum and found it very interesting. My TMJ doctor told me I have A1, A2 and A3 on the right side and just a mild case on the left. He said there are three types of TN and I have them all. My neurologist agreed with his assessment. I sometimes get the shocks if something barely touches certain areas of my face. I get the teeth killing me and burning sensation from the jaw down to the bottom of my chin, very painful. And sometimes I get the head hurting and found it's the worst of all. Mine starts from the time I get up in the morning until my pills for sleeping finally take effect at night. Last week I had the head pain and felt as if I had the flu because it tightens up my muscles in the neck and shoulders as well. Yesterday it finally calmed down some. I feel better today but very tired and still tight in the neck and shoulders, I think I'll call to make an osteopath appt. One time I had it two weeks solid and thought I was going to just kill myself (I'd never do that). I am taking tegretol. My TMJ doctor saw me on Friday and told me to call the neurologist and up the dose. Also since I take hydrocodone he said my doctor should also check my liver counts because those two medications don't work well together and will effect the liver. I have PKD and am already close to going on dialysis. I also have the cysts in my liver. It is difficult to type, to talk, to eat. I've had TMJ since an accident at age 10. It has gotten worse over the years. I thought it couldn't get any worse until this TN came along. I could sit here and cry WHY ME? but that's a cop out. I will do whatever I have to in order to survive!! Oh, I also use valuim, just one 5 mg ever 8 hours. It helps the muscles that go from the jaw down to the shoulders. It's doesn't make a huge difference for just anyone, it did for me because of my TMJ. I go to the osteopath far less now because of it. Massages do help some if you can stand the deep tissue ones. I have lost my great massage guy so haven't had one in years now. I'm thinking of going and checking out Upper Cervical by a chiropractor. Good luck all, hugs, Lori