Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group
Trigeminal neuralgia, or Tic Douloureux, is a neuropathic disorder of the trigeminal nerve that causes episodes of intense pain in the eyes, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, and jaw. Trigeminal neuralgia is considered by many to be among the most painful of conditions.
My issues started a few weeks ago. My face got numb but my jaw startedthrobbing. I went to the er and they did a brain ct and bloodwork and sent me home. A few days later the pain got even worse so i went to urgent care. I also felt like i couldnt swallow. They did an usound of my thyroid because i am hypothyroid. Again, nothing. They gave me a steroid injection and that helped for a few days. Last wednesday, i felt a pain so severe in my face that it felt like lightening had ripped thru me. It hurt so bad that i picked the phone up and called my dentist. A few hours later it felt fine, so i called and cancelled my appointment. Big mistake. Monday the pain returned but the dentist office was closed. I couldnt get in yesterday, but i got in today. They did xraysand they said they said ihad a broken filling. She repaired the filling and gave me an extra novacaine that was supposed to keep me numb for HOURS? WITHIN two hours i was in severe pain. Nothing is touching t. My dentist said i may have this trigemminal nerve problem. I am in pain like i have never exp before and i have had two huge abdominal surgeries where i was basically sliced in half....help !!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_neuralgia
I learned during my battle with TN to ask 2 questions of a new Neurologist/primary care physician before I decided to make an appointment.
1) Are you familiar with Trigeminal Neuralgia?
2) Do you have any patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia?
My first Neurologist had very little experience with TN (I didn't know at the time) and his specialty was sleep disorders. I decided that I really didn't want to waste my time going to him after the first couple of visits. He put me on Tegretol and when that didn't work, he said "There is nothing else I can do for you". I couldn't believe he told me that.
You need a doctor with some experience with TN. I even changed my primary care physician of 14 years because he had NO experience with TN. I asked the above questions of several primary care physicians before I found one with some experience.
I found it amazing that more than 50% of ER doctors have only heard about TN but had no idea what it was about or how to treat it.