Following what my neurologist believes to have been my first 'hit' with Optic Neuritis, I've been dealing with horrendous headaches on the same side as the affected eye.

I had my follow up appointment today with my GP. Talk about uncomfortable. She had a girl with her (no introduction given), I figure a student/someone training. Anyways, she did agree there's no way I can return to work in such pain.

My eye is 'better'. What's not better, and what's in fact worse now, are these headaches/dreadful neuralgia on the left side. Trigeminal Neuralgia attacks primarily crippling me.

So I am already taking Cesamet, which I do believe 'dulls' the pain overall (I'd be unable to function, period, I'm fairly sure... was I not on Cesamet). I've taken Tegretol and Gabapentin in the past, both with bad side effects and little 'relief'.

So I'm now going to try Lyrica. I have good drug coverage thankfully. I can see how this would get expensive quick. I'll start by taking a low dose of the medication, and work 'up'.

I know there's been good and bad reviews of Lyrica that I've seen. My previous GPs thought it was a drug of no 'value' for T.N., but this GP thinks it's worth a shot.

So I'll begin taking at nighttime, starting tonight. Hopefully, along with the Cesamet and Clonazepam, this will work in harmony. Gulp.. wish me luck!

Off work for another month. Waiting for the pain storm to calm down, so to speak. I'm saying my prayers that this will resolve itself eventually and I can get back to work before Christmas.

(((((Laura)))))

Thanks Sally, your hugs are always greatly appreciated!

Let's hope that this medication works, or if not, I don't have bad side effects (though the GP and pharmacist both explained that side effects with Lyrica aren't as 'frequent' or numerous as older anti convulsants... we'll see!).

(((Laura)))...let us know if it helps you...I pray that you get back to your old self real soon...

Laura

I know how painful ON can be. I've never had TN with it, though. That must be miserable.

It took mine about a month and a half to clear up. The beginning was pretty painful but it lessened a bit each day.

You're in my prayers.

The eye is thankfully better... but if I use my eye too long to watch tv, computer... anything digital, the TN is kicking in.

Today I have come to a good realization. I took my first dose of Lyrica last night at bedtime (small, small amount to start) so I know that'll take a while to begin 'working' if it does... but I noticed if I wear my sunglasses, no headache, no TN 'set in' today....

Now I'm wondering if perhaps I can see the eye specialist again and have her prescribe me glasses with a 'tint' to reduce the glare of computers and such. Sunglasses are working great, but sometimes they're absolutely too dark to see things, so I need an in-between 'tint' I believe.

Thanks for the well wishes again!

I hope you'll be over this soon!