Thanks, Dave, for your reply. I am trying to get an appointment with a psychotherapist...just waiting. I'm pretty sure I'm only depressed because I hurt all the time but thought maybe a professional could help me with the whole 'managing the pain' concept.
All the test results (CT, MRI, bloodwork) show there is no cause for the pain which almost makes it harder to accept. I'm one who wants to know WHY? And I guess I'm a little impatient. I've been hurting for 3 months, but I've read some threads here where people have suffered for years. I don't know how they can tolerate it.

Hi Olraalil,
Visiting a Psychotherapist is a very good idea - anything that helps the mind with the coping mechanism is worth trying - many of us use Meditation daily to strengthen our minds to help us cope.
It is frustrating when tests show there seems to be no cause. I know you saw an Oral Surgeon - does that mean there is no possibility this could have a dental root (no pun)?
I hate to tell you this, but I am 19 years into my suffering. The arterial knot showing on my MRI will never go away. You COULD have an artery pressing on the Trigeminal Nerve, many times they don't show on MRI's.
Good luck finding your Therapist, you may find 'acceptance' is the first part of learning how to cope. If you are rx'd AD meds, don't automatically turn your nose up at them, few people know the severity of this pain. Do all you can, and try all the meds and treatments to get back some semblance of a normal life.

Dave.

I have the same thing and it can wear you down. However, I keep researching and looking for new things to try. The pain dr. suggested Botox, but in my state medical marijuana is a possibility, so I am looking into that as well. I have just learned that Yale has a clinic that specializes in facial pain, so that is my next stop.

[QUOTE=BeckyandDan;974101]Hi, I am new here... don't know format, etc. but here goes... Have had unexplained face pain for years (10). Have seen several doctors, dentists and neurologists. Recently finally diagnosed atypical face pain.... great.... still pretty much unconclusive. Through the years have been on many, many meds with no releif just all the side effects. Am done with the meds but desperately want pain to be gone. Next week I see a team of doctors/specialist to see if I am a candidate for Motor Cortex Stimulation. This scares me. There's so much to go wrong. Has anyone had any experience with this for atypical face pain. If so, what do I need to know about it; what kind of questions should I be asking at my appointments; and finally, how do we determine "my" pain is really bad enough to go through this. As with everything, some days are much worse than others and on those bad days my answer is a definate yes... Please help me with questions and answers as time gets near I am getting more and more nervous, but ready for the pain to be history. Thanks. [/QUOTE

I have the same problem and the same failures. What does that treatment consist of? Have you tried medical marijuana or Botox? That is what I am exploring next. Good luck.

Wow, I have th too but only for past 4 weeks, allergic gabapentine and pregablin too. What I find works fir th pain is 75mg amitriptyline and cocodomal. I get the thats. Pain to remind me to take at night. Im here for different Nero problem, but nice to know like minded people who understand that rare please if being hit by a baseball bat constantly. Hugs

I have that diagnosis, but it's just the RSD spread in my head and face, eyes too. I use nasal ketamine and 4% lidocaine nasal spray and after a couple months it started controlling it very good. I have tried stellates and speneopaletine (sp?) blocks and cervical faucet blocks. The cervical block helped for a little while which tells me that is what is mediating my pain in my head. It is SIP. I am thinking of doing laser surgery to clean up my spurring and stenosis in my neck to see if it would help knock the burning down. My back, face and head are continuously burning since my foot surgery in 2011.

Hi Sonia1,

I am curious as to if the medical marijuana had any effect. I have atypical facial pain and the medications are not helping.

Thanks,
Bradpete3

Hi I know what you are going through. I have had atypical facial pain for 2 years now. And it seems like it isn't getting any better. My pain is in my mouth in the gums on the right side of my face it hurts so bad and no one understands how bad I really hurt it feels like my mouth is being cut open all day with no break from it at all the only time I don't hurt is when I'm asleep

Hi kmathias,

I am sorry you have been suffering so for 2 years. Was the cause the same as the Poster you quoted - Dental work? If so, I would advise you to repost over on our Dental Forum:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum89.html

where our welcoming and knowledgeable Members will make themselves available to you.

If it comes from other issues, my story is pretty much detailed above where it comes down to Neuropathic Facial Pain, TN and Paresthesia. I am always willing to discuss anything you feel may be helpful.

Dave.

Hi Dave,I hope you get to see this message seeing you posted quite awhile ago! Anyway I too am from the UK,Oxford,and I have had facial pain for 14 years.I don't have the striking jolts but constant pain with painful stabs .Like you I have exhausted all the systemic medications as I am hyper sensitive to them.I am very interested in your pain management regime- are you under a pain management clinic ? I have an appointment in Feb to attend one here in Oxford.My doctor is nonplused by my case and I am being my own advocate hence my interest in your treatment.I feel very alone in this nightmare but keep searching for an answer......you may just be it Dave!Thanks!Happy New Year! Wanganui