Recently Diagnosed trigeminal neuralgia, advise/tips! Help Please

I developed TN in 2009 after a severe case of shingles  (on the left side of my face) and post-herpetic neuralgia.  I dealt with frequent attacks until I saw a neurologist in 2011 and she prescribed Lyrica.  If I had an attack while driving, I'd have to pull over until it passed (20 - 30 min) and the attacks always hit "out of the blue."  Since 2011 I've forgotten to take my Lyrica dose 4 or 5 times.  In each case, I had an attack.  One time i thought i had something in my eye.  Another time I thought I had an ear infection.  And other times I just felt like my face was falling off.

Lyrica has worked very well for me.  I still get some facial pain from time to time and some headaches, but it keeps me from missing work and makes me a safe driver.  A higher dose might eliminate all pain, but I don't want to become immune to the drug.

My PCP has suggested I try medical cannibis for the condition, but I've not quite made that decision.  

Without Lyrica, I wanted to die.  A few years ago my health insurance stopped paying very much for the medicine, so now it costs me nearly $200 per month US.  I tried gabapentin, a much less expensive option, but I could not tolerate it. Some people use it with great success.

Two years ago I had "frozen shoulder", on the smae side as my TN and I don't know if there was any connection to TN, though.

I also take an antidepressant and an antianxiety medicine. 

you are right when you say the pain is horrific and unbearable.  Go from from doctor to doctor if you have to in order to find someone who knows all the treatment options for TN.  I was lucky that the first neurologist I saw put a bottle of Lyrica in my hand on the first visit and said, "Go home and take this today.  Do not drive a car until you know how it affects you."  And then she worked with me to find the best dose. I started out with only 50mg and in later years moved up to 75 mg.  I feel like it's time for a bigger dose, but may try the medical cannibis to see if it will keep me from having to increase the Lyrica dose.  I am 50, and hopefully will need treatment for many years to come.

I was recently diagnosed as well and was given an antinspazmotic, it before I took it I wanted to try something else.  You see my mon had it for years and finally had to have the operation.  So know medicine isn't a solution. I take a coenzyme But vitamin from Hole foods for diabetic neuropathy.  It started to work right away..hope it helps you.  I took two initially , now down to one.

Dear Michele, Tha best advice I can give is to join the FPA (facial pain association). I recently rejoined and was sent a pack  which includes a periodical mag containing all the lastest news and research, together with many leaflets (one even to give your dentist). You'll be sent the mag periodically. It has everything a patient needs to know. I've had T.N for many years and having rejoined the assciation have also found support from the experts. Through the mag I'm taking part in new research being undertaken by my local university so do give the organisation a check.. Love to you, Gill