Have TN, but might have tooth abscess also how do you know?

I have TN since may 2016 it started with feeling pain in all my teeth ruled out teeth is tn thankfully i didnt get any procedures done to my teeth. Regular pain meds do not help TN. I have spasms in ,y face muscles they say from clenching my teeth so I have a muscle relaxant I use every night with my pain meds and I'm am much better. As long as my face left jaw does not get cold I have no pain as pain meds keep it under control. Teeth pain is just the tn affecting that tooths nerve i use the topical stuff like oragel for tooth pain it heps settle down the nerve in the tooth and then it seems to go away. Everyone is different and reacts different with TN it's finding what works for you. I hope this was helpful to you.

Hello sorry your suffering so much your neurologist should have you on TN pain killers usually Advil and those drugs do not target nerve pain. The scans only show if you have a tumor causing the problem I had the MVD surgery and they put the deff.on cushion between and bien or artery in July last year it did not work for the pain at all. My Aptiom meds and a muscle relaxant and at night have resolved my pain on a daily basis for now. Unless my face gets cold then I get the pain back I usually apply a small heat pack and it then to help in between pain meds.

There is no cure for TN all meds and surgery options have different results on different people. I don't recommend the surgeries as the highest percentage of success they relapse within a few years again.

Sorry but it's the sad truth for all us suffered if you read all the stories on here it's an eye opener for all procedures that people have tried and their results. It's finding what is right for you so that you can get your life back to some degree of normal. I have not been able to return to work due to my cold air sensitivity ni matter how much i cover my face nothing but a stable heat control keeps me out of pain with the meds. I hope this I do is of some help to you.

Ibuprofen does nothing for my TN and my understanding is regular pain medications don’t do anything Bc it is nerve pain. That is why when they gave me fentanyl in the ER, it didn’t help my TN pain.

I am so glad you found a way to deal with your pain. Interesting that you brought up Oragel because I saw a pharmacologist today and he gave me a gel to rub on my trigeminal nerve. It’s supposed to numb it and help with the pain. I still need to go to the pharmacy and get it but I’m really hopeful it willl help.

So you have pain on both sides of your jaw and upper and lower? Wow that’s rare isn’t it.

I’m so glad you found relief!!! I hope it stays that way.

When I replied before I think I replied to the wrong one or I’m new to this site and not sure how the replies work so I apologize.

But I just saw that you had the MVD surgery and it didn’t work. I’m so sorry that s awful. Do you mind me asking what causes your TN if you know? Also do you think the failure to your MVD was because of the surgeon or just the sad fact it didn’t work for you? I’m glad you’ve found a way to be semi comfortable but I’m so sorry your life is restricted the ways it is.

I understand. Bc the tegretol messes with my sodium and can cause seizures, I can’t drive. I’m reliant on other people for getting to appts, taking my daughter to school, getting groceries... so many things. It’s winter so I cant really go outside. 

I was so active four months ago and now I see no one because talking makes it so much worse. I save all my talking for my 7 year old and that is still hard.

I’m trying to be positive or deal with it and hope for better in the future but honestly right now I feel like it sucks and my life was ripped from me. I’m 44 and it’s like I’m a hermit. A hermit whose also in pain. And can only eat mushy food and restricted to 43 ounces of water Bc of the sodium issue.

What do you guys do when you feel so down?

I read about the heat and Aleve on another sight.

it took about a week to get it under control. I was willing to try anything .

as I said, mine is very intermittent so I am thankful for that.

Hello again

Thanks for your reply it took me awhile to figure out this site too, I have not been on long either.

My MVD surgery was of successful and I am always looking for alternatives to the pills as they do make life difficult in my life my friends come visit me as I am alone my partner could not deal with this pain or understand it. Before my surgery I worked from home but when I got the surgery it has done so other damages to my brain as well and my job will not let me work from home or come back to work u til I am 100 percent cured lol not possible for TN. I am lucky to have a good health plan and I am on long term disability for next 2 years then I'll be 65 then it is cut off. It is like a roller coaster ride your up a ddown with emotions some drug related , stay in touch with friends have movie nights or girls night friends with kids well then everyone has fun. Try to stay positive take 1 day at a time. I am also going for counselling this helps a lot to have someone to talk to. I have my dog who I haven't been able to take for walks or runs since may 2016 but she has become like a service dog as my memory has been affected she reminds me to fed her and tells me when she needs to go out and we play indoors to make up for not walking. I love her dearly! I have my gardens in the backyard and look forward to spring I cover my left jaw I get creative I wear winter headbands on my face they are the perfect size so if there is a breeze it helps to keep me out of pain. I look forward to going away somewhere warm for a bit soon that usually helps with the cabin fever. I am now doing art didn't know I had it in me and I look at my life differently now I tell myself I have retired early and now everyday is mine and focus on what makes me happy! It helps bring me out of those down times. I force myself to keep in touch with friend's and family otherwise they then to get busy and forget you. Keep connections as long as you can see someone other than your child to help you deal with the lows that is half the battle.

I felt like a recluse for the first year did a lot of crying about what I couldn't do now I focus on what I can do.

Keep trying things to keep you out of pain you take charge of what happens go your body what meds work what doesn't keep a journal of meds and appts because sometimes the meds make it hard to remember things lol

I wish you all the best ask me any questions you need to know, we are all here to Help!😊

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I so relate to the cabin fever. I’ve been wanting a dog for so long. Ive always had one. When I was born pretty much up to two years ago. But I don’t feel like I can care for it yet. But I know it would be a therapy dog just by being a dog lol. They are all love and just want to be with you. One day, I hope.

Thank you my dear I am glad to share with you.

I hope you can find the formula to control your pain and try to be happy with yourself. I received some beautiful flowers tonight from a friend as she knew my partner left me she brought them to cheer me up. Some people are your angels staying close. Love comes in many ways 🌹 happy Valentine's day.

Yes for me too. When I finally went to the ER and was shaking with the pain, they gave me Dilaudid. It did nothing. Then they gave me Fentanyl (which I think is the strongest opiate), it also did nothing. I was hospitalized because there were things going on when they did my blood test (I can’t remember the specifics right now) and to find a way to help the pain and they increased the tegretol which my neurologist had just started wondering f if it was TN. It took about eight  days not when it started working it was wonderful. It brought my pain down from a 10 to a 7. But then it caused low sodium. I had a follow up blood test when I was released and my sodium was 120. My PCP called and said you have to go back to the hospital right away. I had been there for eight days. I so didn’t want to go back. Then they cut my tegretol in half. I begged in tears for them at least to try cutting it only 1/3. And so far that’s worked. And the added gabapentin, baclofen and methadone has brought the pain down to a 4 -5 generally. But I’m trying to find another way to handle the TN so I can stop taking the medications especially the methadone.

Thank you so much. Yes, this is why I’m wondering if my bottom tooth is actually a tooth issue and not TN. When I push it m, it hurts. The pain in my upper jaw where the TN is doesn’t change if I press on the teeth at all.

Try the Turmeric & see if it takes the pain away.  TN gives you symptoms of teeth problems. Don't get dental work done unless your sure it's the problem. Also use sensitive tooth paste. You can get it at the dollar tree.