Hi there... I was diagnosed with TN/ATN by my dentist, who then referred me to my GP.
I too had tooth problems, and then after numerous tests and exams, they determined it wasn't a tooth problem.
I've been on Tegretol. However, I couldn't handle the side effects while having to work 40hrs/week. It wasn't working well wiht my body.
Now, i'm on Topomax and Vicodin for pain. Not working either. I'm due to see my neurologist on Jan 7, so we'll probably end up changing my medications then.
I know it's really hard to tell if u have TN or not because they're not the "electric shock" "zapps" like from regular TN. My symptoms are intermittent (on and off) pressure like pain, goes from my upper left teeth and bottom left teeth. sometimes all the way to my jaw and cheekbones.
But i've asked numerous times as well, if my symptoms are in fact TN/ATN. Everyone has different types of pain, symptoms and TN or ATN. I think yours and mine are the same. So please, feel free to send me a message or keep posting if you have questions.
Tegretol is the primary medication which could gradually increase. It's good to have pain meds too. My only problem is, my attacks come so quickly, there's no time for the medications to react. So sometimes, i'd rather take the pain than take the meds, because by the time it starts to take effect, the pain is gone...I wish there were something that instantly relieves pain.
By the way, my pain lasts from approximately 15minutes - 30 minutes. Typically, it's been happening every night, 4 times a day sometimes, in the past 2 years, it has come and go - with gaps of 2 months, or as little as 2 days...
Jenna
Quote:
Originally Posted by Random
I'm not really good at telling stories. Never have been.
I have been diagnosed with TN by my GP.
Before the time this started I have NEVER had any issues. The beginning of this story is the beginning of my pain.
In late October I began to feel pressure in a couple of my bottom right teeth. Pressure. Not pain. This persisted 3-4 days and went away.
The following week it came back as pain. This pain jumped from my bottom right teeth to my top right teeth.
- Saw Dentist. Was given cipro. No effect.
- Saw Doctor. Agreed with dentist.
That weekend I experienced the worst pain of my life. You know what this is like. No need to tell you. Pain jumped from bottom right to top right. It was terrible. Hospital could not help.
That following Monday I saw my dentist again who said "Hmm... this may be TN." I was given a prescription (persists today) to Demerol. She gave me 5 shots in the mouth.
I saw my doctor who agreed that this was likely TN.
I did an MRI to rule out MS. I do not have MS and my MRI is normal.
For a few days after seeing my dentist+doctor I had the "feeling" inside my tooth. This has gone away. Full X-Ray showed nothing wrong with teeth.
The only persisting pain, that I ever have, comes from the tooth to the right of my "vampire tooth." I can wiggle this tooth at any time, night or day and it gives me electric shocks.
Demerol, Hydrocodone and Percocet do not fully relieve the pain but obviously I "feel better."
I am currently on 600mg (200x3) of tegretol and 50mg of Demerol as needed.
Like I said, the only pain I have ever had since this has happened is from this one tooth.
Do I REALLY have TN?
Cliffs:
- Pressure started in tooth. Went away. Came back as AWFUL pain.
- Saw Dentist+GP, diagnosed as TN. Full X-Ray done on teeth and they are perfect.
- Tegreol may relieve the pain, but I am unsure until I come off it in January.
My concern is YES, I did have TN-esque symptoms two months ago, but since then the only pain I get is from one tooth. The pain comes when it is cold or random.
Thanks for reading and replying. Like I say, I'm no good at telling stories. If you need clarification on anything I can provide.
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