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Trigeminal Neuralgia Help Me Please

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I was trying to find supplements or alternative meds for the chronic pain, instead of all the pain meds I take now. The medicine gives me horrible stomack aches, and never takes away the pain long enough, or at all. I couldn't find anything about this condition, and I know so little. I was wondering if anyone knows of alternative meds to take for this, or if u know anyone with this condition.
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First Helper lizseager
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replied December 4th, 2003
Medications used to treat trigeminal neuralgia include anticonvulsant drugs and muscle relaxants.

Surgical options for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia can include: alchohol injection, glycerol injection, balloon compression, electric current,
microvascular decompression (mvd).

The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face to the brain. The pain involved with this condition is a result of disturbance in the nerves function.

Pain may also occur when a blood vessel comes in contact with the trigeminal nerve.

Please consult your doctor for more information.


The following website contains a link to a trigeminal neuralgia support group. Http://www.Csmc.Edu/3034.Html
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replied December 4th, 2003
Experienced User
Alternative Medicine
Homoeopathy has very effective medicine to relieve you of pain due to trigeminal neuralgia.

Your homoeopath would need more symptoms to arrive at a prescription for you.
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replied February 5th, 2004
Chiropractic Cured My Tn
I suffered horribly from trigeminal neuralgia. I surfed the internet looking for alternatives to the meds & surgeries I found in tn forums. In one forum I found a reference to chiropractic treatments helping this condition.

I immediately went to my chiropractor (who graduated magna cum laude and who is very knowlegable). She gave me some adjustments on the area related to the trigeminal nerve and much of the pain was decreased. After the 2nd. Adjustment I no longer had any attacks of tn.

I hope you or anyone else will try this alternative to drugs & surgeries and that it helps you too.
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Users who thank Snowbird for this post: michaelrocks 

replied July 30th, 2004
My Diagnosis
Hi, I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia today when I went to the doctor. For a little over two weeks, I have had head pain, ear pain, neck pain etc....I've been looking on the internet for information and decided to post. I was put on neurontin. I was amazed to see the connection between tn and dental work. I had a filling put in 4 days before these symptoms began. I'm so angry right now, I want to sue my dentist. Has this started with anyone after dental work?
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replied March 21st, 2012
Yes.. I had gone to the dentist for a couple of caps in January and February..in March on a flight to Vegas I had the most horrific pain and burning on the left side of my face. The most severe and excruciating pain and burning ever. Given Gabapentin three times a day for ten days. 300 mg. X 3... No tests given. I am seeking second opinion because I felt and was told an MRI should be given to rule out MS and any tumor as I still have a headache and nausea. Don't want to suffer another episode like this ever again. I literally thought I was dying tho I know its not life threatening, so I am told. Any one with anymore info. Good luck with yours.
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replied March 21st, 2012
Trigeminal neuralgia
Yes.. I had gone to the dentist for a couple of caps in January and February..in March on a flight to Vegas I had the most horrific pain and burning on the left side of my face. The most severe and excruciating pain and burning ever. Given Gabapentin three times a day for ten days. 300 mg. X 3... No tests given. I am seeking second opinion because I felt and was told an MRI should be given to rule out MS and any tumor as I still have a headache and nausea. Don't want to suffer another episode like this ever again. I literally thought I was dying tho I know its not life threatening, so I am told. Any one with anymore info. Good luck with yours.
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replied July 30th, 2004
Dental Work And Tn Connection
Hi chrissy. I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis!! Being a tn sufferer myself (second time around for me, first was the right side 10 years ago, now it's the left side), I understand the torture you're going through. Let me assure you though that it is no fault at all of your dentist's. Sometimes a pre-existing tn problem can be 'triggered' by having dental work done, but it's not caused by dental work or by dentists!! There are many things that can be triggers, including dental work for many, and also a light breeze on the effected side of your face, a lock of hair brushing your face, brushing your teeth, eating, breathing!!
No joke!! Yes, i've had 'flair ups' after dental work, but I know that it's already a pre-existing condition, and that dental work was just a trigger,
no different than washing my face or using too cold of water to brush my teeth. Please contact a neurologist for more information! You'll be sooo glad you did!!!
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replied October 8th, 2011
TN and dental work?
HI, I'm just wondering how do you know Dental work doesn't cause it? Do you know of any article on the correlaton? I sincerely want and need to know because it's happened to me too? Thanks a lot, Joanne
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replied October 11th, 2011
Have you ever heard of someone ending up with a part of their face being numb after having dental work such as a tooth extraction? That is the same nerve. Some people go numb from the dental procedure trauma and some people end up with pain. The numb reaction can be permanent as it is for my sister.
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replied March 30th, 2008
Dentist's Fault
I, too, have been diagnosed with TN and believe wholeheartedly that the dentist is at fault. I have never had any major problems with my teeth. 9 months ago I decided to switch dentists due dissatisfaction with the billing procedures, among others things. This was the biggest mistake of my life.

The first thing he told me was that it was a good thing I switched because my teeth were in such bad shape. He then extracted a wisdom tooth I didn't even know I had. I'd never had any pain back there, absolutely none. But he insisted he had to be done because the tooth was rotted. They neglected to tell me not to drink liquid from a straw because of the blood clot that should form after an extraction. Of course, I was hungry but in too much pain to eat solids, so I went to McDonalds and got a nice, thick milkshake, a lot of sucking action which apparently dislodged my blood clot and resulted in a condition known as dry socket. This was treated with antibiotics and medicated packings over the following 2 weeks, but even after the dentist claimed the area to be completely healed, I still had pain. Another x-ray showed nothing.

He then told me I should have my silver fillings replaced with composites. He did this to the tooth directly next to the extraction site, as well as the 2 teeth next to that. I still had pain. Another x-ray. Nothing. He then opened one of the teeth he'd filled and found that the root was dead, so he did a root canal. For about 1 week after that I had no pain and was so happy. I thought the problem had been found and solved. But then I started having pain again. This time much more severe and unrelenting and before. The pain was so bad that I was completely unable to do anything. I took three days off of work because I knew I would not be able to teach my classes in the condition I was in.

I went back to the dentist. Guess what? Another x-ray. Again - nothing. He then called in his colleague, who asked me a few questions and told me I needed to go to a neurologist. The problem wasn't dental, he said, but a problem with the trigeminal nerve. O.K., I thought , I'll just go to the neurologist and she'll fix the problem.

She asked me some questions about the location, intensity, duration of the pain. She also said the problem was because of the extraction - not a pre-existing condition. This means that the dentist is 100% liable for my pain. She prescribed Gabapentin, which I've been taking for 4 days now and it hasn't helped one bit. I'm afraid to leave the house, I can't drive my car, I don't know how I'm supposed to work tomorrow, I'm in such pain I can't think straight. I do believe this is a direct result of the extraction of a wisdom tooth which was causing me no problems.

I am angry. I am dismayed. And if this goes on with no relief, I believe I will be suicidal.
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replied May 29th, 2008
How can I arrange to see a neurologist
I am completely dismaid that I am now suffering from another bout of Tn, I have ben having headaches for three days and this morning the worst happened. TN has struck again, I am so depressed about it as I know this could now go on for 3 to 4 months like the last time, thankfully the last time was 18 months ago and had some Gabapentin in the cupboard that were still in date, I have started my dose of Gabapentin this evening, as have been unable to eat or drink anything today, with the sickness that I get with TN, I have never been referred to a neurologist, and wonder how to go about this and will it be of any help to me, even though my doctor has made his diagnosis of TN which I have ufered with bouts of for 6 years approx now, but only in the last 3 years did my doc say it was TN, Would a facial pain clinic be of any help too me and how do I go about this as my doctor has never suggested a referral to one, should I just ask him, and what if he says no
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replied September 18th, 2008
here here to chiropractors!
Hi...Six months ago I was diagnosed with bilateral trigeminal neuralgia (both sides of face and rare to have). It was two weeks after we had been on holiday in New Zealand. The neurologist suggested that I had picked up a virus and prescribed me medication. I have been on Tegretol, Lyrica, Trileptal, Dilatin and Neuroton with no success.

I decided to do some research and also get my body checked from top to bottom. Firstly I went cold turkey off the meds and then I had my eyes checked to see if there was any retinal damage that was all clear. I went to see an ear nose and throat specialist to check for any acute sinus problems and ok there too.

Next I went to a chiropractor and when I told him what I had been through he suggested as it was on both sides of my face that it probably had something to do with my neck and spine. He is the only person who has made any sense thus far. He put it down to all the things you do preparing, visiting and returning from holidays eg handling baggage, sleeping in different motel beds, the flight and not to mention anything adventurous that you might do while you are away like we did...jetboat and bungy jump (the latter I might add that was the first thing I mentioned to the neurologist). After two weeks of adjustments 2-3 times a week I am feeling near perfect. The chiro thinks it will probably only take about a month and all will be well again...the neck just has to get used to being in the proper position again.

I am not sure how my partner survived my mood swings, tiredness and total !**@! but I am glad I had and still have his support. There are support groups around you just have to ask around.

I hope this has helped you a little and good luck in your hunt for happiness!

Trublu
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replied November 12th, 2008
suffered almost 4 years
hi im ruby, ive been diagnosed with tn when i was 13 im 16 now almost 17

only thing ive tried is trgretol/carbamazephine 100-600mg a day
doctor wanted to perscribe trileptal but they charge me like 200 or so for a months supply so mum said forget it

ive seen physical therapists <-doesnt realy help they did electric stimulation, and sum neck stretching thing, ive done acupuncture <- didnt help either now i dont rly care i just rely on meds and try to lower dosage once i hit 400 a day

worse episodes last about 1.5 hours

hrms.. every year it sort of targets a different spot
but to me its worst when its near my nose and winter
i can barely apply lition, blow my nose
sneezing or my hair sets off episodes
when its near my forehead its hard to brush or tie my hair a trickle of watter often starts episodes
upper right teeth contact with food oftenstarts episodes
eating or drinking, swalling my own spit laying down all starts episodes
when its just my right cheek near the neck i find that the least painful iguess ._.
hrms... im just great ful for when episodes are over and the months or weeks of a year im not in pain Smile


my remedies = rub my face like hell make it hurt more sorta makes me feel it hurts less when i stop rubbing ._.
pinching my jaw/necking borderline near the trigimenal nerve
doctor recomended masaging that area alot ._.
ice doesnt work and in the winter i cant stand the cold so i dont bother warm water soothes but doesnt rly stop episodes

id concider getting surgery but im a bit poor >.>
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replied November 3rd, 2009
hi i too suffer from tn.noticed mine 21/2 years ago, which back then i believed it was tooth ache. i had xray after xray but my teeth are perfect.went to the docs and got referred to a specialist.have tired every tablet going and none of them work! i am so frustrated i have attacks everyday some last 2 mins others last 2-3 hours! i can't eat drink wash sleep, without pain. i am at my last tether with this now.i am a mum of 2 young children and also try to work full time, but my tn is now taking over my life! have been told too that i cannot learn to drive because of tn. surgery is not worth the risk in my mind so what other options are out there for us?
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replied June 10th, 2010
Upper cervical chiropractic worked for me
I also found relief from trigeminal neuralgia pain by using an upper cervical chiropractor. My pain started in my scalp, but moved to my teeth, as it does for so many. When I looked at the options for treating this condition, chiropractic seemed the least invasive and also made more sense to me. Every other treatment, pain drugs, rhizotomies, micro vascular decompression (MVD) surgery, all seemed like bandaid solutions, while chiropractic seemed like it could correct the root cause of the problem - irritation of the trigeminal nerve. The essence of upper cervical chiropractic philosophy is to relieve nerve irritation by properly aligning the atlas vertebra with the skull. Makes sense to me...and, it works!
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replied October 2nd, 2010
Trigeminal Diet
I have had trigeminal neuralgia for over 30 years. I was only diagnosed with it 2 years ago and I was self-treating and medicating myself all this time. I had been to dentist, doctors, chiropractors, etc. For years, I received only help from chiropractors but quickly learned that some of them lied to me along the way about having treated others for TN. Once I spend much money with them, they would let it slip that I was their first patient. I was furious and moved on. It took alot of trial and error to find a good Chirpractor. I have found a diet that has helped significantly and it allowed me to decrease my medicine and I am having to learn to eliminate foods along the way and am hopeful that my pain will be completely eliminated. You MUST stick exactly with the diet and it is very important to NOT look at the low fat part of it. It is absolutely important to stick with the low saturated fat ONLY. Here is the link to the diet. I hope it helps you and I encourage you to let me know if you have any questions. I love this diet because it does allow you to eat sugar even though I have now been off sugar for 2 mos. Sugar causes inflamation and makes TN worse. I am also taking huge amounts of B-12, B-complex and omega 3. I am happy just to decrease my medication of trileptol.
Mary
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replied November 26th, 2010
i have been diagnosed at this stage with trigeminal neuropathy after dental work. the best thing i have found so far that takes away the pressure in my neck jaw sinus cheeks and scalp and reduce headaches thus reducing the attacks-is kinesiatric massgae therapy. they look at your spinal and head alignment and "straighten
" you out. I have only had 2 sessions but the difference is great. i will need more but it is worth it as i don't need medicine.
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replied March 5th, 2011
Hi
I've had TN for some 25 yrs or more. Have tried tegretol and currently take lyrica when needed but sometimes that doesn't work- like now.
I have found acupuncture to work but at the moment have to wait over a week for an appointment. Previous acupuncture by a regd dr was great- 2 sessions and it was sorted then a couple to keep it at bay for a year or so.
Have been down the road of maybe my jaw/bite is out. Some $4000 later to the dentist, i had great relief for a year or so but it came back.So he said more work needed doing- $20 000! Decided I would look at other choices.
Have tried lots of B and B 12 vitamins but not perhaps as diligently as I should have. Will have to go back down that line.
Have had all sorts of scans etc to try & find a cause.No answers.
What about trigical that I found the other night as I surfed the net in a TN pain induced state? In that state I almost ordered it on line- what was $80 for some sleep relief?? But held off- need to hear more.Any info?
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replied September 29th, 2011
I just found this page while searching about this crazy instant off and on pain I have in my left upper and lower jaw that has kept waking me for the last two nights and randomly hurting me during the daytime hours.
Well, at one point when I leaned forward slightly while sitting, the pain instantly stopped. I knew at that point the problem is a Chiropractic matter. Another thing is that for three weeks before this pain attack in my mouth, I have been having nerve related pain on top of a part of my left hand - under the pointer and middle fingers. That, too, is a chiropractic issue.
I will be seeing my Chiropractor ASAP!
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replied October 6th, 2012
I have TN & is slowly going crazy
I was diagnose with TN a few weeks ago after a root canal. I had a root canal done on september 17 & two days later I had this unbearable pain in my bottom lip(left side only) chin and gums & teeth. When I touch my chin and my lip it's like burning numbing feeling & my teeth and gums constantly hurts. I went back to the dentist & he took a x-ray and according to him it seemed like he might have overfilled the tooth during the root canal. So he redid the root canal in hope that would solve my pain problem. He numb me & I could still feel pain in my chin, lip, gums, & teeth. I told him I still feel pain and he said give it a couple hours and I should feel better. A couple hours later, I woke up in the worst pain in my life and I have given birth & have had 2 c- sections and this pain is 1000 times worst. I contacted my dentist again that said it was nothing more he could do and referee me to a neurologist that didn't run any test or MRI nothing he just listened to what I said my symptoms were & said I had TN and take carbamazepine. I was weary about taken the meds but the pain is so intense that I started to take it and a day later I was super sick: nausea, vomiting, lightheaded, dizzy. I contacted the neurologist and told him and he Sadie take half a pill, I did an got the same result, and during this Iam still in great severe pain. He had now put me on gabapentin & phenytoin, which doesn't help my pain at all. I understand why they use to call TN the sucide disease, because this has ruined my life and I'm to the point where I can't take this pain anymore. I have been given multiple pain meds and they don't help. I don't know what else to do, I have a husband and 3 little girls and this has affected them to because I have become angry and depressed with this pain I have. I'm at my wits end and need HELP, before I do something that will have me on suicide watch.
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