Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike H
Hi everyone-
Here are the bullet points-
* Pain started about five months ago.
*Stabbing pain behind the eye followed by dull aches in temple and jaw.
* Visited emergency room, got cat scan, was told by ER doc pain was from new reading glasses.
* Saw Optometrist, no growths behind eye, was cleared
* Visited emergency room again, CAT SCAN was preformed, came back negative, was referred to a neurologist.
*Neurologist diagnosed me with stress headaches, was prescribed tramadol. It did nothing.
*Visited TMJ Specialist Dentist. He diagnosed me with pre-trigeminal neuralgia. He prescribed Tegretol. Tergretol took away 99% of pain.
*Had MRI with and without contrast, all came back clear.
*Saw new neurologist, confirmed diagnosis of pre-trigeminal neuralgia.
* I am am insisting on knowing how I got this.
*Currently awaiting a CTA scan on friday.
* I have become completely depressed and convinced that I am going to die from this.
*Please help me.
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I also had pre-TN, though I did not know it at the time. Twice I had week long attacks of severe "tooth pain". I was completely normal in between the two attacks.
My suggestion is arm yourself with knowledge (search pubmed, read Stiking back, etc) and be ready to make informed decisions when you have to. I used to worry about my TN and obssess about it daily. It is so easy to get depressed or into a rut. But now I refuse to let this rule my life. I have acknowledged I am in pain but refuse to let it stop me. I urge you to take control of your situation and to not let yourself feel hopeless. Even on bad days where talking hurts I still force myself to go to the gym or even to a dinner party. I can either be in pain at home or in pain around other people. Either way I am in pain but a dinner party is way more fun (I just avoid crunchy foods, eat tiny amounts and hope no one notices me wincing when I try to chew.) If I am going to be in pain either way I might as well have fun!
You won't die from this, but you need to make sure your pain is controlled enough that you are able to eat and keep hydrated.
Stay strong!