# What else do i do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Blogs (Read Only)\ **Created:** [January 23, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542 "2011-01-23T23:48:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amanda\_Micaela\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7c8e57/32.png) [@Amanda\_Micaela\_Cook](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Amanda_Micaela_Cook)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/1 "2011-01-23T23:48:41Z")
So im not on a lot of meds. but they mess with me really bad. they help some but its only 100 mgs of lyrica 3x a day. im only 16 and really want to get my license and do teenage things without being "high" all the time. i had a really bad attack last week and im honestly scared of another one that bad. so i know i need to go up on up on meds. but i dont want to give up what freedom i have so any sugestions on what to do? ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Ri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Jim\_Ri](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Jim_Ri)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/2 "2011-01-24T00:58:08Z")
Hi Amanda, This is probably not much help, but the problems I had towards the end of last year were probably brought on by my own failure to stick to the prescribed regime of medication I was supposed to take. I was only on 1800 mgs of Tegretol per day, but I would try and keep the dose as low as possible (400mgs) as soon as I felt any improvement in my condition. I think the whole thing with meds is that they take time to build up to their maximum effectiveness and then you need to maintain the dose at a level that is effective for prevention rather than waiting for the next episode to start. As a result of my reluctance to take the full dose of Tegretol, it cost me a fortnight in hospital and I am now on additional meds, Baclofen, Gabapentin and Amitriptyline, which I am frightened to stop taking in case the pain returns (I am totally pain free at the moment). The side effects for me are not that bad. So for me its a simple question of meds or pain. Told you I wouldn't be much help. The big thing for me on this site is the understanding and empathy thats here. That helps me. Best wishes Jim [http://killienutz.blogspot.com/](http://killienutz.blogspot.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Barbara\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@Barbara\_F](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Barbara_F)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 7:19am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/3 "2011-01-24T07:19:10Z")
I have just started acupuncture to help with the pain. It doesn’t leave you with the "high’ feeling and there are no adverse side effects It doesn’t hurt so there shouldn’t be a fear of a lot of needles coming at you. If, for some reason it doesn’t work, you’re no worse off than you are right now…but if it does work, it will lessen the pain…so maybe it’s worth a shot? ---
**Author:** ![Amanda\_Micaela\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7c8e57/32.png) [@Amanda\_Micaela\_Cook](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Amanda_Micaela_Cook)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/4 "2011-01-24T14:08:05Z")
Thanks to you both barbara i did accupuncture for years with fantastic results and then one day it just stopped helping. Im glad its helping you and im sure it will help for a long time. but thanks for the tip i appreciate it:) jim Im sure i need to just try to get use to them. which will take some time. i do stick to my meds. im scared to do other wise. but im thinking of talking to my doctor about more meds. just uping them at a very slow rate so maybe it wont effect me as much. thanks for comment:) god bless you both ~micaela~ ---
**Author:** ![Norma\_C\_M1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/258eb7/32.png) [@Norma\_C\_M1](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Norma_C_M1)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/5 "2011-01-24T16:32:36Z")
Amanda, I've found that your initial reaction to the medication might not indicate how it will work for you in the long run unless it is a real warning sign of a problem which will be listed on the info which comes with the medicine. I had a pretty dramatic reaction to Gabapentin in the beginning, but it was because the doctor had given me too much. We backed down on the dosage, and it seems to be working at this time. I am pain free. I know that feeling of fear. I'm having some sensation on my right side, and I'm scared that I might have an attack. I guess that's something we all have to live with and try to control as well as we can. Hang in there. One statement that I read in Striking Back is that most patients do achieve some kind of relief. My neurosurgeon (I haven't had surgery, but I'm getting my ducks in a row just in case I ever have to) also assured me that there is an answer even if it is a heavy duty problem. We just have to search and be as optimistic as possible. It's hard when we'' re in pain. I wish you a good day and the strength to deal with TN. Best wishes, Norma ---
**Author:** ![Debbie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8dc957/32.png) [@Debbie1](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Debbie1)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/6 "2011-01-24T17:45:34Z")
Hang in there Miss Amanda. For many of us, it can just take time for our bodies to adjust and you may not feel so “high” after awhile. I actually call my pharmacist every time a medication is really bad and ask their opinion. They seem to know a bit more than the doctor, in my case. I went on Topamax and WOOOO. . I was really flying. I am a mother and need to drive. She was able to tell me how long to expect to feel that way and she was right on the money. I still get affected by it, but not nearly as badly as in the beginning. And then you may find Lyrica is not the medication for you. It is just really finding the right one. Just know we are here for you. You are so brave! I’ve seen it in many of your posts. ---
**Author:** ![Amanda\_Micaela\_Cook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7c8e57/32.png) [@Amanda\_Micaela\_Cook](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Amanda_Micaela_Cook)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/7 "2011-01-24T21:37:19Z")
Thanks to you both. i think i might play with my meds. a little lyrica so far has been the only one to help so im not gonna give up on it yet. Thanks for the positive words some days are better than others and it is hard to stay positive but i do what i can.. God bless you both. i might go up slow and just get adjusted to it hopefully it wont put me off to much. thanks again ---
**Author:** ![Barbara\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90db22/32.png) [@Barbara\_F](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/u/Barbara_F)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfacialpain.org/t/what-else-do-i-do/9542/8 "2011-01-24T21:53:00Z")
I don’t know if this will help or not, but I will pass this along…my neurologist told me that sometimes when you have negative reactions to medications, you can reduce the mg…then after a while, you might be able to increase the mg again and not experience the negative reactions. This actually did happen to me with Trileptal. I broke out in horrendous hives with the increase in mg so we reduced it for a while…just recently, she increased my dosage, the hives did show up but nowhere near as bad and I am holding steady at the higher dosage. Now, after a week at the higher dose, there are no more hives at all! Keep positive and stay strong! :o)