I had two MRIs with contrast and an MRA.

I take a tricyclic, but at a low dosage. I did gain a little weight. The Lyrica, which I tried for a short time, made me gain more weight...I'm still losing from that. I cleaned up my diet and don't eat any sweets or junk food. Exercising is very tough...sometimes impossible. I have spoken to some people who feel a diet very very low in sugar and/or saturated fats has reduced their pain a little. Some feel being gluten free has reduced their pain a little.

My doctor put me on a compounded cream to avoid really bad side effects of more oral medication. My stomach was ripped apart from all the different meds he tried me on.

BTW, I have heard Gabapentin is very good for atypical symptoms, especially when combined with a low dosage of a tricyclic.

Anyway, so I take a small dosage of a tricyclic orally and then I rub a specially formulated compounded cream on the right side of my face 4 to 5 times a day. In it is: Gabapentin, Lidocaine and Capsaicin. I also went to acupuncture 3x a week for about 3 months. The cream worked SLOWLY but SURELY. I find vibrations and cold air will set me off. On days like this, I take Percocet for breakthrough pain. The cream and the low dosage of the tricyclic really has helped me...something to think about. (Or maybe talk w/ your doctor about taking Gabapentin orally and rubbing just the lidocaine and capsaicin on the most painful areas of your face).

Wishing you well...I know this is very, very difficult.