You are definitely NOT being a big baby, and you aren't alone... although I know how lonely we can feel sometimes. I can relate to wanting to scream, but stifling the urge because sound, any sound makes the pain worse. My husband can usually tell when I'm having an attack, because it's about the ONLY time I'm quiet!
I had MVD surgery last June which was mostly successful. After the surgery, I was pain-free for about 2 months, then it slowly came back. For a few months, it was almost back to the intensity I felt pre-surgery, but never as frequently as before (thankfully!). For the last couple of months, it has been much better. I might get an attack every couple of days and the pain is tolerable. I don't know why I am getting better, but I hope I am actually healing because of the surgery. At any rate, I'm glad I went through with the MVD. I was diagnosed as "atypical" TN, so I had been told this surgery wouldn't help.
I remember how bad it used to be. I even used to take something sharp and jab my leg, thinking if I could create pain elsewhere it might lessen the pain in my face. I don't suggest doing that. I also don't suggest biting hard on something... I broke a tooth doing that!
What helped me the most was to practice meditation, which is basically self-hypnosis. It helps to try it when you are not hurting, so you can learn to focus. It is pretty much impossible to ignore the hideous pain, but I have found it helpful. I lie down as soon as I feel the attack coming, focus on breathing, particularly visualizing that I am exhaling the pain like a cloud that will float up and away.
I am sorry you are hurting so, but I'm glad you've found this site. There are some wonderful people who have helped me when I thought I couldn't take it.
Oh Suzanne! (Almost wanted to add an "a... to Oh Suzanne...a: - nevermind, I am in a tearful, funny, weird mood) lol.
THANK YOU. thank you, thank you. :) I hope we are friends... if not... let's!
Dawn
Suzanne Marriott said:
You are definitely NOT being a big baby, and you aren't alone... although I know how lonely we can feel sometimes. I can relate to wanting to scream, but stifling the urge because sound, any sound makes the pain worse. My husband can usually tell when I'm having an attack, because it's about the ONLY time I'm quiet!
I had MVD surgery last June which was mostly successful. After the surgery, I was pain-free for about 2 months, then it slowly came back. For a few months, it was almost back to the intensity I felt pre-surgery, but never as frequently as before (thankfully!). For the last couple of months, it has been much better. I might get an attack every couple of days and the pain is tolerable. I don't know why I am getting better, but I hope I am actually healing because of the surgery. At any rate, I'm glad I went through with the MVD. I was diagnosed as "atypical" TN, so I had been told this surgery wouldn't help.
I remember how bad it used to be. I even used to take something sharp and jab my leg, thinking if I could create pain elsewhere it might lessen the pain in my face. I don't suggest doing that. I also don't suggest biting hard on something... I broke a tooth doing that!
What helped me the most was to practice meditation, which is basically self-hypnosis. It helps to try it when you are not hurting, so you can learn to focus. It is pretty much impossible to ignore the hideous pain, but I have found it helpful. I lie down as soon as I feel the attack coming, focus on breathing, particularly visualizing that I am exhaling the pain like a cloud that will float up and away.
I am sorry you are hurting so, but I'm glad you've found this site. There are some wonderful people who have helped me when I thought I couldn't take it.
Im delighted to be your friend! I certainly understand weird, funny moods. Heck, Iām like that even when Iām not in pain. We might even have a common ancestor somewhereā¦ my grandmotherās maiden name was āHaddonā. Back in those days, people didnāt always come up with the same spelling, since a lot of people were illiterate. Her dad, my great-grandfather was a smooth-talkinā riverboat gambler who married her mother (who was 20 years older) probably because she was a wealthy widow. He died after being shot over a card game! Sounds like a B-western movie (ha!).
Dawn Hadden said:
Oh Suzanne! (Almost wanted to add an "a... to Oh Suzanne...a: - nevermind, I am in a tearful, funny, weird mood) lol.
THANK YOU. thank you, thank you. :) I hope we are friends... if not... let's!
Dawn
Suzanne Marriott said:
You are definitely NOT being a big baby, and you aren't alone... although I know how lonely we can feel sometimes. I can relate to wanting to scream, but stifling the urge because sound, any sound makes the pain worse. My husband can usually tell when I'm having an attack, because it's about the ONLY time I'm quiet!
I had MVD surgery last June which was mostly successful. After the surgery, I was pain-free for about 2 months, then it slowly came back. For a few months, it was almost back to the intensity I felt pre-surgery, but never as frequently as before (thankfully!). For the last couple of months, it has been much better. I might get an attack every couple of days and the pain is tolerable. I don't know why I am getting better, but I hope I am actually healing because of the surgery. At any rate, I'm glad I went through with the MVD. I was diagnosed as "atypical" TN, so I had been told this surgery wouldn't help.
I remember how bad it used to be. I even used to take something sharp and jab my leg, thinking if I could create pain elsewhere it might lessen the pain in my face. I don't suggest doing that. I also don't suggest biting hard on something... I broke a tooth doing that!
What helped me the most was to practice meditation, which is basically self-hypnosis. It helps to try it when you are not hurting, so you can learn to focus. It is pretty much impossible to ignore the hideous pain, but I have found it helpful. I lie down as soon as I feel the attack coming, focus on breathing, particularly visualizing that I am exhaling the pain like a cloud that will float up and away.
I am sorry you are hurting so, but I'm glad you've found this site. There are some wonderful people who have helped me when I thought I couldn't take it.