trigeminal nerve pain?

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#1 Post by **purpleteeth** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:33 pm

I have TMJ/ TMD, but I think my problem has escalated to more of a nerve problem. I am having my 2nd major flare up in 3 weeks right now and I am about to scream. I called my ortho and I am on the list for emergency cancellations for tomorrow, otherwise I have my appointment scheduled for MONDAY AFTERNOON (first avail).

Does anyone else have this problem? I know it is nerve pain, as it is pain with temperature and a whole list of other symptoms.

I feel like I am going crazy!

#2 Post by **Lisa65** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:52 pm

I have a friend with trigeminal neuralgia. Her pain is excruciating when she has a flare-up and she is completely incapacitated by it. Do you take anything for it? Her neurologist put her on a low dose of gabapentin, which is actually an epilepsy drug, and it seems to have helped.

I hope you can soon get some relief.

#3 Post by **purpleteeth** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:51 pm

I haven't been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia yet. I have severe TMJ/ TMD, but I know nerve pain when I feel it --- and the pain in my face, head, neck, sinuses, eyes, and jaw are all traceable by the trigeminal nerve.

I have RSD, which is a nerve condition, however it is in my lower body (specifically my left ankle).

I figure the pain is either:
1. TMJ/ TMD
2. RSD, that has spread up to my face
3. Trigeminal Neuralgia

It hurts to chew, it hurts to move my face/ mouth, hurts to talk. My ear is bothering me, my neck, sinuses, eye, and pretty much the whole left side of my head/ face and even down into my neck. It hurts to brush my teeth, swish water back there, chew, or do pretty much anything.

#4 Post by **Lisa65** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:09 am

I wonder if a visit to the doctor might be in order. As I'm sure you'll know, nerve pain does not respond well to conventional painkillers, your GP might be able to prescribe you something to settle it.

#5 Post by **purpleteeth** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:29 pm

I don't have a PCP. I have other medical problems that make seeing a PCP almost impossible - actually, I FEAR DOCTORS! I have received mistreatment from doctors and discrimination in the past... so I honestly avoid them. I also do not believe in medication and rarely take it, except for a few over the counter meds.

Yes, nerve pain is absolutely different. I have nerve damage and I have adapted my lifestyle around the pain - surprisingly, I have made my life enjoyable and rather full, despite the pain.

Right now, all I can do is hold out until Monday afternoon. I need to have my braces situation evaluated first, as it could be something related to them or my TMJ (my ortho is treating my TMJ), and then get a referral if my ortho can't do anything else to make the pain go away.

My symptoms have been getting worse in the last 24hrs, so I'll go to the ER if something happens and I can't hold out until Monday. My ortho's office is WELL established in the area and one of the doctors has been practicing for over 20yrs, including time in the Army for orthodontics. I do trust my ortho and if he can't fix it, he will know what to do to make sure it gets addressed. My ortho's office does specialize in TMJ treatment and adults, not just children.

I'm still rather scared though. The pain is really bad, but I am going to try and hold tight. Don't know what else to do.