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Trigeminal Neuralgia- bruising of face

Posted , 8 users are following.

hannah47501
hannah47501

Hi everyone,

So my neuralgia is back after 1 1/2 years in remission. On gabapentin 300mg 3x a day. This time Gabapentin doesn't seem to help. Does anyone else find it gets more painful in the evenings? I can go all day with just slight pain but as soon as it hits 5pm I'm in agony. I have noticed this time as well that my cheek is very bruised to touch.

Have got hot water bottle and this does relieve pain but is a bit of a pain to have constantly on my face. Do you have any tips to help relieve pain without meds?

Thank you

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • hank02683
    hank02683 hannah47501

    Posted

    Hi  My TN is very bad and will be going under the Gamma knife next week. No meds and pain killers  helped.  They say that the  Gamma treatment will kill the pain without using meds.  We'll see.

  • karen36710
    karen36710 hannah47501

    Posted

    I have had TN for only a short period of time...2 months.  Meds are horrible and I am still having pain.  I am booked for an MRA...MRI with dye that will hopefully show the nerve compression, then I go on the waiting list for MVD.  To me MVD is the best solution...but that is a very personal decision.  I am currently taking gabapentin 1200 mg daily and I expect my dosage to be increased again next week.  I try to keep busy...golfing, walking, knitting but after each dose increase I am a mess...can not think straight, gait is affected, make mistakes in my knitting, so sitting quietly for a few days does help and then the increase seems to settle in.  You may need a higher dosage to help with the pain.
    • greg66242
      greg66242 karen36710

      Posted

      Hi Karen, I had MVD done and Gamma Knife Radiation done. One was a year apart from the other. I did not have success on either procedure. I would recommend you to research ALL possible side effects for any procedure you do. Try starting with the  Mayo Clinic website. I am now on Lamotrigine 250 mg XR once a day. It only keeps the edge off. Hey, we have a monster of a disease to calm down.

      I wish you the best in any decision you make.

      Greg

       

    • karen36710
      karen36710 greg66242

      Posted

      Thank you Greg.  I am so sorry that both procedures were not successful for you.  Were you given any explanation why they did not work?  I am exploring everything.  I am Canadian and I am looking at going to Winnipeg where they specialize in this surgery and I am also looking at Pittsburg where I believe the surgery was developed.  I am on gabapentin 1200 a day and this is not getting my pain under control.  The pain is bearable but does not improve with the dose increases.  We leave in Oct for Florida and I am trying to get stabilized before we leave as I will have no medical coverage in Florida.  And I am not tolerating the drugs very well...lots of side effects.   Any other thoughts or experience you can share will be greatly appreciated.

      thank you

  • patricia_2468
    patricia_2468 hannah47501

    Posted

    Hi Hannah,  yes, evenings is when my TN is at its worst.  I, too, can go all day and not a twinge, but come nighttime is when it strikes!!!!    Usually when I want to sleep or when I awaken for a toilet trip.  Thankfully, I have been ok for a few weeks, but get the occasional reminder.  Just waiting for the next one to hit.

    I hope your pain eases off for you pretty soon.  Sending my best wishes.  

    • Tnhurtsme
      Tnhurtsme patricia_2468

      Posted

      I have tnp an it does hurt more when I get off work but only because I'm not busy plus when I sleep it doesn't bother me I sleep like a baby I'm on two medications one is oxcarbazepine an it makes my muscles hurt most of the time thinking about getting on cymbalta. An im also on gabapentin around 900 some days an up to 1200 or 1800 it's a challenge for me because my pain is constantly hurting

    • ibrahim57343
      ibrahim57343 Tnhurtsme

      Posted

      Hi tnhurtsme

      Iam 31yro male ive been suffuring with this monster for 3 weeks tnp no meds so far pains so sever i cannot sleep

      I just wanted any suggestions

      Hows your pain now and mind me asking how old are you ?

  • paula76255
    paula76255 hannah47501

    Posted

    Hi Hannah

    I've just started taking duloxetine (cymbalta) 30mg morning and the only thing I can do to stop the pain is to slightly move my lower jaw to the right side, so that the lower teeth are outside the top teeth. That seems to push the nerve away and stop the pain for a bit. This is for lower jaw pain only. I am so fed up with this condition and after 15 years I am considering surgery.

    Hope this helps!

    Paula x

    • Tnhurtsme
      Tnhurtsme paula76255

      Posted

      How long have you been on cymbalta an what are your side effects so far if any
    • paula76255
      paula76255 Tnhurtsme

      Posted

      Hi! So sorry for delay in replying. Just driven down to Devon.

      I've been on these tablets for two weeks and started off on 30mg daily for first two weeks and today upped them to 60mg for two weeks then upping by 30mg etc. So far I haven't experienced any side effects but I'm still having pain (mostly at night when I lay down, it's horrendous). Are you going to go on these tablets too?

      Paulax

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