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TN and Acupuncture treatment.

Posted , 5 users are following.

patricia_2468
patricia_2468

Hello fellow TN sufferers.  I have recently had terrible breakthrough pain, and meds (Lyrica 225mg 4 times a day) was of little help!  So I found an Acupuncturist who has experience treating TN, and I had my first treatment today.  I was told that the sooner you have treatment the better.  I've had mine for 9 years.  Anyway, does anyone have any positive (or not so) outcomes you could share with me.

Take care everyone, you are not alone.

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • heather30609
    heather30609 patricia_2468

    Posted

    Hi Patricia, I did try acupuncture when I first got diagnosed but unfortunately it didn't seem to help me at all.  On reflection, I'm not sure that the person I saw was very experienced as he expected the TN to be there all the time and the treatment to be instant - but the pain wasn't there when I saw him (about 4 times) so he basically said there was nothing more he could do for me.  Don't be put off by my experience though as it can be different for different people.  In respect of your medication, I had my first bout of TN for about 10 months and Lyrica kept it under control.  It then seemed to go away for 4 months - no medication at all - but then came back and the lyrica didn't touch it all.  I'm now on Carbamezapine 500mg per day which just about keeps it at bay.  Good luck
  • Valkyrie
    Valkyrie patricia_2468

    Posted

    Hi, Patricia,

    I tried accupuncture about a year ago but it did not thing for me. I am currently trying physio. Has your neurologist not tried Tegretol as that often works either alone or in conjunction with Lyrica to give coverage.

    • patricia_2468
      patricia_2468 Valkyrie

      Posted

      Hi Valkyrie 

      I had Trileptal up until Nov 2015 when I returned to my neurologist.  They were losing there effectiveness.  So it was decided that I use Lyrica solely.  I was also combining the two melds.  Anyway, thought I'd give the acupuncture a go.  I'm seriously considering an MVD.  

  • janet1312
    janet1312 patricia_2468

    Posted

    Hi Patricia, 

    I have had TN for approximately 2.5years and my nurologist wanted to change my medication to a type which had very bad side affects. I decided to look around for any alternatives and read details about Acupunture.

    I started to have one acupuncure session a week, my acupuncturist was experienced in treating TN but said that it is not guaranteed but would hope that he could reduce the pain enough so that I only need a mild dose of medication. I had approximately 10 sessions and every few weeks I started to slowly reduce my current medication.

    I am now taking NO medication at all and only having slight sessions very intermittently (but no were near as painful and only lasts seconds). I now go my acupuncurist every 4 weeks, as he said this is best to keep on top of keeping the nerve inflammation down.

    I have been off medication and feeling great for 6 weeks, i cannot recommend Acupuncture enough, it really is worth giving it a try, it may not work for everyone but it is definately worth giving a go.

    I hope you have success as i have done or at least get some relief from the pain.

    I am due to see my nurologist next week of which he doesnt know i have tried this treatment, so will be interesting to see his thoughts.

    Best of luck Jan

    • patricia_2468
      patricia_2468 janet1312

      Posted

      Janet, that's wonderful.  I'm so glad that you have had a successful Acupuncture experience.  That gives me some hope.  

      I will post again, and let you know how I'm going. 

      All the best, Patricia 

       

  • kjack107
    kjack107 patricia_2468

    Posted

    Hi Patricia I have had TN for about 5 years and have tried many different medications. I am now just on tegretol 200 mg am and 400 mg pm ( this may change in winter).  About 6 months ago I started going to a Physician who uses acupuncture as a treatment. It is a big commitment but I was happy to give anything a go. I started going twice a week for about 2-3 months then went down to weekly for 2-3 months now I go monthly. I do think it really has helped me. He also told me not to eat hard foods like nuts/ ice ( not that I would of fear of pain), chewing gum etc as this puts extra pressure on the jaw that can trigger the TN.

    Hope that helps. Good luck

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