Journal

Saw the oral surgeon today- got fitted for my bite splint.  I am excited and anxious to use it.

The pain from the TN and TMJ comes and goes, but there is a fair amount of pain that I live with.  The muscle relaxors really work well- but I can only take them at night:(   So, by 4:00 each day I start to feel the crushing pain in my face- 

I had this crazy fantasy that once summer arrived my face pain would be gone?   it didn't happen- 

I took my muscle relaxor and as I sit here to type I realize that I can't freakin spell.  And,  not for nothing, I don't care! 

Its all about staying positive.  What you pay attention to, pays attention to you.  so therefore, I am going to pay attention to something other than my FACE!  hmmm......  right now, I am going to pay attention to my bed and sleep!

A good visit with the neurologist-  A new plan for the trigeminal neuralgia.  I was really upset last month when I needed up increase my tegretol level.  I went from 200 a day to 400 a day.

He told me I can go back to 200 now that the pain is under control.  If I have a flair up- that doesn't go away with in a few days, I should to back up to 400 until the pain is gone, then back to 200.  I like that a lot.  He feels certain that i can control things by upping my meds only when I need to.  So- that is good news.

He gave me a new migraine med- Treximet.  I take Imatrex and advil for migraine pain.  He said Treximet is the same thing, just in one pill.  So, I guess when i run out of imatrex I will try treximet.

He just came back from a conference about "face pain"- He said he learned a lot about the use of bite splints and he really believes that is just what I need.  so I see the oral surgeon next week to get my impressions made.  So, I think I can say I am on the right road finally.

I have accepted that I am always going to have some level of face/head pain.  I can deal with it.  But, I just can spend all my time focusing on it.  I tried that- it didn't work.  I think having all this pain has made me stop and appreciate other things?  and I am really working on drawing positive energy my way.... whatever I am doing, its working:)

I have not written in a long time.  I thought I was doing better/ feeling better.....  But things have a way of coming back I guess.  I was really upset to have to increase my trigeminal neuralgia medication.  I was so so so sure that once beach season hit I would be free of the face pain.  Nice warm sun...  nice dark tan....  how can my face possible hurt in those conditions?  So my tegretol is up to 200 mg twice a day.  Hoping not to have to increase it again.

The TMD is just as bad. Who the hell knows which is which anymore.  The friggin insurance company sucks. my mother just gave me 800.00 so I can go get my bite splint made.  I need to do something. 

I find that complaining only makes things worse.  so I am not going to use this journal as a place to moan and  groan.  or if I do, it will be a quick vent!  and then on with the good stuff.

No progress with the goal.  My weight is fine- happy with body (for the most part)- but still find myself eating crap when I am not hungry. 

So, otherwise things are good.  and tomorrow I will post something positive- positive energy is all good:)