Two days ago I had horrible side facial pain and what felt like horrible tooth pain. Unfortunately, this is nothing new for me. I have actually had 14 root canals and "reroot" canals in the last three years so I chalked it up as being another infected tooth. I figured I ate to much candy as a kid, but it's funny cuz' my teeth look really healthy and my gums are perfect.
I went to a new Dentist who referred me to a new endontist. The endotonist said he thinks I have this TN and asked if they've ever done a root canal and saw no infection. I thought he was crazy. I started to read about TN and I guess a lot of these symptoms I've experienced. I emailed my primary Dr who has seen me for a lot of sinus and ear pain and she is agreeing with the endontist suggestion. At times in last three years I've even questioned myself and thought that there might be a problem.
Advil seems to help some, but the vicodin they've given me does nothing. I've even day dreamed about pulling the teeth that hurt out with pliers and digging out the nerve. I think it's sick I would even feel the urgency to do that so there must be something really wrong.
Luckily, I have a client who I emailed last night that used to a Neurologist and she's going to see next week and hopefully give me something in the meantime to help me cope till I get an appointment with a practicing neurologist.
Idk has anyone tried accupture? I own a spa in SFO and have a accupunture clinic right next to my shop and I know the guy well. I was thinking of going tomorrow and I also have a client who's a cranial sacral therapist and I was thinking of hooking up with her tomorrow as well.
I haven't been working for two-days now. The pain seems to come and go. I am also really angry because the endontist basically made the assumption that all my dental work may have been for nothing. I am really wanting to call up the offices and start demanding refunds.
I'm 29 years old and have no other present health problems. This is really confusing. My husband also does not know what to think. However, anytime I have a dental problem he thinks the dentist who does the root canal is doing it just for money.
It's funny because I specialize in skin care and work on peoples faces all day. I have people in my industry also work on my face and frequently have something called eyelash extensions applied ever other week. When I get facial treatments, peels, eyelashes, makeup I don't get bothered by touch unless I have a "dental" problem that is active or what I thought was chronic sinus problems.
Your on the right track, go see the neurologist. I am just like you, failed dental procedures, pulled teeth that shouldnt have been taken out, ear pain, sinus issues, issues with my face in general. I have also just had pain that I thought was bad sleep or something that happened at work as I was a diesel tech. I even thought it was just denture pain and issues.
Go see a neurologist, get the MRI if they feel it is needed. I am sure they will start you on a cocktail of meds to get things under control and at least ease the suffering we go through. Keep a log of episodes, how bad the pain is, what you are taking and when. I also check my blood pressure twice a day. With some of the meds prescribed I think it is prudent to do so. The other reason for this is with a bad episode you might not be able to talk and handing that little notebook to a ER doc can save much time. You would be amazed how many dont know about TN and what to do.
One last word of caution, I do not see a cure all for TN. The meds, surgeries and other treatments are for pain management not control. TN hurts more then anything I know of, there are lots of good things happening for it and its causes but no sure fire cure as of yet. Make sure your loved ones know about this, they can help get your through. I cry almost daily, always on the verge of breakdown, just because I dont know what will happen in the next hour and if I will have a good day or bad day until the pain starts. Every twinge spooks me, but my wife and Mom are right there to help if they see it start.
Lots of luck and warn thoughts for you
Your Friend Char
Try some Orajel PM. Put it on your gums whenever you feel pain in your mouth/teeth. Holding warm water in your mouth helps a lot for some of us and a rice bag warmed in the microwave can be held on your face where you are having pain.
Hope you are having a good day.
Check out the Doctors link in the tab at the top of our forum. There is good advice there on preparing for your visit. As you wait for your neuro visit your primary doctor might be able to prescribe Lidocaine patches for your face. Many on here have been helped by them. If you are inclined, there is a great book called Striking Back! by Dr. Kenneth Casey that covers most everything related to TN and facial pain.
14 root canals...I had 6 root canals and an extraction before I was diagnosed. Many of us have traveled that road. I know too well the feeling of wanting to get pliers and rip out my tooth myself. We learn that is not the answer.
I’m so sorry for the pain and suffering you have experienced. When TN first hit me I went to my regular doc who sent me to my dentist. I told my dentist to pull ALL of my teeth if that is what it would take to make the pain stop. He told me there was nothing wrong with my teeth.
Back to my regular doc - I told them again how much pain I was in and that I wasn’t going to leave their office until they found a way to help me. I had three doctors in the room with me at one point trying to figure out what was going on. I couldn’t eat or even drink unless it was through a straw. Anything touching my teeth (food, water, my tongue, upper teeth touching the lower teeth) caused the electric-shock pain. They conferenced in my neurologist (I saw him for migraine headaches) who immediately recognized the description of the pain. Thank God for him!
Go see a neurologist as soon as you can. Hopefully it will make a difference in your life and no more unneeded dental work!