Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi I have recently had another flare up of what I think is TN and have gone back on meds oF 200mg of Tegretol. My teeth have been checked but it always starts in my bottom right hand teeth? I have a jabbing pain which worsens as I get more tired and worse if I bend down! Any advice please!
0 likes, 41 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
Jewell Welsh_girl
Posted
it sounds like mine. I'm on 800mgs if tegretol. I've only had it for 7 months so don't feel I can offer you any advice other than increase your medication. Good luck!
colin69485 Welsh_girl
Posted
HI Welsh girl
Has anyone actually diagnosed your complaint as TN or do you just think that's what it is? Why have you been prescribed Tegretol, if it isn't?
I suffer from TN and it seems to start at the back of my left jaw and could be confused with pain in my left molars but I'm familiar with the pain and I know it's TN! The lower branch of the T nerve runs along the line of the lower jaw and when it's aggravated it sends waves of sharp pain that often come from the angle of the jaw, close to the back teeth. I'm currently going through an active phase of TN and I can feel it firing off, as I write! Maybe that's what you're experiencing or maybe you have a dental problem?
Jewell colin69485
Posted
colin69485 Jewell
Posted
Hi there Good question. I've had it for about 2 years. Attacks come and go. Initially I took carbamazepine and it worked well but I had a very nasty reaction with alcohol which I'd never had before. I fitted, vomited and passed out!! I was put on gabapentin and never take alcohol with any drugs.
Gabapentin has worked well up until now. I've increased the dose to 500mg x3 per day and I can't 'shut it up'. I don't plan to 'live with it' but am anxious that I might be running out of options!! Surgery - if necessary, then yes. We have to best it!!!
Jewell colin69485
Posted
Thanks for answering my questions. Interesting about the alcohol interaction. I experienced that once with an antiviral medication, but never with Tegretol. Anyway, hearing other people's stories helps keep all this in perspective. Thank you and good luck.
Welsh_girl
Posted
Hi Colin thanks for your reply! Have had my teeth checked and dentist said I did have a small hole in wisdom teeth that could be causing problem? But I was reluctant to have it removed? Dentist didn't feel that the pain I was getting was my teeth so went to docs who prescribed Tegretol 200mg a day! and it did go away! Unfortunately it has returned over Xmas so went back on Tegretol. The pain this time I would say is not as bad as last time and painkillers seem to work! However will go back to docs this week need some more Tegretol! It seems to get worse when tired and bend down am sure hot and cold drinks trigger it too? Just wondered if this is comman also can brush my teeth on the bad side with no worries teeth just tender but I assume this is from the nerves close by?
Jewell Welsh_girl
Posted
Hot and cold, bending over, being tired, none of these bring on the pain. Brushing teeth aggravates it but I push through it. My teeth are fine. TN pain is a whole different animal. Talking will bring it on. Eating will bring it on. But as with the teeth brushing, I push through. I think I've gotten used to it now. Still on 800mg of tegretol. Seeing neurologist Tuesday. Have appt with neurosurgeon first of March. Will keep you posted.So now that I've yammered on and on without answering get any of your questions, I feel your pain and wish luck in this journey.
colin69485 Jewell
Posted
Hi there. Would you tell us why you're seeing a neurologist and what procedure you are you planning to have with your neurosurgeon?
I'm in a similar position in that the dosage of gabapentin I'm taking is no longer working effectively and I may have to consider surgery at some point. Trying to pluck up the courage to have a shave this morning - a beard doesn't suit me!
Jewell colin69485
Posted
I'm seeing a neurologist because that's appropriate with TN. According to MRI there's compression in the nerve, therefore consulting with a neurosurgeon. However at this stage not considering surgery as I don't feel it's warranted at this point. Just taking a wait and see approach now. Pain is "under control" with Tegretol. Good luck with shaving!
colin69485 Jewell
Posted
Of course I understand that a neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of everything to do with the nervous system! It was my fault because I didn't ask you the right question or, more accurately, I didn't make myself clear. In my case, I was referred to a neurologist when I had suspected TN and the specialist confirmed it to be the case. I had assumed you had gone through a similar sequence of events, so I was curious as to why you were returning to see your neurologist - perhaps you needed advice on different treatments and I might benefit from your experience. Equally, I'm interested in any experience you have or advice you might be given with regard to surgery. In a way, we all seem to be somewhere along this unfortunate journey! Didn't manage the shave but had a wonderful gap in the pain that enabled me to thoroughly clean my teeth this evening - heaven!
Welsh_girl
Posted
colin69485 Welsh_girl
Posted
My apologies! Please clarify the problem. Were you asking if tooth pain can be confused with TN. I'll write back ASAP after your response. Apologies again. Colin
Welsh_girl
Posted
Hi Colin yes I suppose I was asking that question does it feel like it could be your teeth when it's TN? Looking at diagrams of the nerves I can understand why it feels like it could be your teeth?
My pain is on right hand side of face and lower bottom teeth! I have been taking 200mg of Tegretol a day and it is getting better so reducing to 100gm now! Dentist says it isn't my teeth and docs prescribed Tegretol because she thought it could be Singles or TN so treated for both! When I have had it really bad no painkiller would touch it so I am grateful for Tegretol! I suppose I was doubt ing myself because this one particular tooth hurts if I press it even though I know it's not a dental problem also hot and cold food triggers it?
colin69485 Welsh_girl
Posted
Hello Welsh girl. I've had many dental problems over the years - the usual stuff - which has been accompanied by pain, sometimes severe but always cured when the the tooth has been treated. One day I was shaving in the morning when I experienced a shooting pain right ran along the line of my lower left jaw. Just lightly stroking my face set it off. This was like nothing I'd experienced with my teeth. My GP thought it was a dental problem, my dentist was convinced it wasn't! Eventually I saw a neurologist who said, 'Dentist right, GP wrong'. You have all the classic symptoms of TN and recommended that my GP prescribe Tegretol. The drug worked well and the TN was subdued.
Many things have happened since then but back to your original question, it seems you also need to see a neurologist to accurately diagnose your condition. There's clearly something wrong with one of your teeth but you may have a nervous problem as well. I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!
Jewell Welsh_girl
Posted
I still want to think its tooth pain, but that's just a denial thing. So silly. As long as tegretol controls the pain I'm ok. No idea what's ahead.🤔. It's ok to up your dosage....just stay in touch with your doctor.