What good are Neurologist for TN?
 

I don't know if anyone else has had this problem or not. I have been seeing the same Neuro guy for five years. When I went to him the first time I asked him if he was familiar with Trigeminal Neuralgia. He assured me he was. I was already diagnosed and already on Tegretol and Lyrica, so all he has done for me is continue to write the precriptions. I was having break through pain about 3 years ago. My Neuro guy was out of town, so my primary care guy gave me a prepcription for Vicodin and it helped between doses of my Tegretol and Lyrica. He continued to give it to me until recently. He said my Neurologist should be giving it to me. So I went to see Neuro Guy and he said No. He wanted me to have surgery instead. I refused to do that (I am 70 years old and not in real good health). I made an appointment yesterday. He told me he could not help me because Trigeminal Neuralgia is a Chronic pain. I said why did you take me as a patient. I told him I was not going through the holidays in pain. He once again said he was not going to give me any pain meds. We were at a stalemate for about half an hour, neither was willing to give in. I told him I was going to turn him in to Medicare for fraud.
He grabbed his prescrition pad and wrote me a a script for Vicodin.
I admitted to him that I get mean when I have pain for so long.
When I left he said "I want to see you again in 3 months" I said "For what?, you have admitted you can't do anything for me". So we left it that way. I made an appointment with a Pain Management Clinic in the next town, and they promised on the phone that they had no problem giving me pain meds if I thought it helped. Just wondering if anyone else has run into this.

My pain management specialist was the doctor who decided to try PENS unit
aka stimulator implant even tho he did have a neuro with him during the surgeries my pain doc was the one who never gave up trying to help find a way to manage my pain with the many medications and when medications did not work ,... that saved my life. I would most defiantly see at least 2 pain doctors or more .
sending positive energy for your apt.
:grouphug:
PEACE
BMW

Thanks so much
 

Thank you two so much. I was beginning to think I had been in pain so long, I had lost my mind. I am so angry at the neurologist I could scream, but that would make my face hurt. I had avoided going to pain management, now I cannot wait to go. If they will provide me with the other TN meds I take I will cut my neurologist loose soooo quick his bank account will cry.
Thanks again and have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!

TOGETHER WE CAN WIN THIS WAR!

That's appalling! It sounds like others have been helped by pain doctors so go for it!

I do want to say that I have worked with a neurologist at a good sized hospital for years, ever since my internist felt i needed more than he could help me with, and I feel he has been a great help. He never tells me what I need to do - just presents the available options. And when I needed pain meds for break through pain he gave me what I needed.

If in the future you think a neurologist is needed, there are better ones out there!

I know all Neurologist are not the same.
 

I had a wonderful Neurologist before this current one, and believe it or not he treated me for no cost at all. He is the one who told me if the pain broke through then try a pain med. It worked. Too bad he retired.
I know I was angry when I typed the first post about this, but I do realize all doctors are different just like all all TN patients are different. This site has been a Godsend to me. It is nice to hear from people who understand the pain.
I feel so hopeless sometimes. If I go to ER, their eyes glaze over when I mention Trigeminal Neuralgia. Since I am not bleeding, have no temperature and no broken bones sticking out they have no idea what to do. Oh Well enough complaining. I thank you all for understanding.

Macy

Macy,
Still, I'm sorry that you have to go through all of this - that was poor treatment and I think that your reply was spot-on. Going to a pain management specialist can work out well - there are ones that know all about neuropathic pain management strategies, ie.: the anti seizure meds and the anti depressants. Mine gives me dilaudid, btw, which is 7 times stronger than morphine, which is a heck of a lot stronger than vicodin. Furthermore, and forgive me please if this sounds wrong, I don't mean it to, and I am just being pragmatic, but there is no reason to worry about addiction in a 70 year old patient - at this age you are simply concerned with pain control. Just establish a baseline of usage, where they can see that you take about the same amount each month, and they should be fine continuing to prescribe. There are certain ways that addicts act, and pain specialists are sharp at identifying it, so you should be fine. Don't worry - you will find the right doctor, and if they are apathetic like this last one, find a new one. Mine is always intellectually interested in his work, and it shows.
Good luck, and they have no darn right to treat you that way. Keep on telling us how things go, ok?
:hug:
Lily

Thanks so much
 

YOU GUYS MAKE ME FEEL SO GOOD. Yes Lily I do not think at 70 I am going to be become a"crack whore". I kept telling them I had enough brain cells left to not take too much, but they treated me like a second class citizen..Seems like this Neuroglist just wants to sit behind his high priced desk and look down his nose at me. I bet he knows very little or nothing about TN.
Keep on having good thoughts. Have a nice day. It really bothers me because he has some very sick patients, not able to fight back.

Macy

Awww, Macy, you just made my day with that joke - that gave me a big grin. :D I hope that you are feeling well today.
:hug:
Lily

Almost nothing. They can do the same thing I can which is coming up with different prescription. I just need them to write me one.

Wedmd is your friend.

Neurologis
 

[QUOTE=NT User;726370]Almost nothing. They can do the same thing I can which is coming up with different prescription. I just need them to write me one.

Wedmd is your friend.Neurologist

You have provided me with validation. Every neurologist I see wants me to try meds that I have ready tried during My tn journey. I provide them with a long list of drugs I have taken but they put it a side.
Almost like If they prescribe the drug in some magicAl way it will work. They have no understanding of the fact I am working full time and the side effects of changing meds are a huge deal reflecting job performance.if they can't help me I wish they would just be straight with me and not expect
E to go down that road of repetitious treAtment. My psychiatrist has been the most helpful and understNding with treTment. Oh how j long for the pre tn days. Surgery Mvd was my downfall. The surgeon takes no responsibility for dAmage done. Left facial numbness, constant burning stinging pAin. He says the nerve will heAl. It has been 10 years. Please someone take responsibility. Please don't mKe me feel lime A malinger or a non compliant patient for not wanting to try the same thing over and over again.

They have a technician that does the testings which is great. Sometimes Neurosurgeon could be good for advice.

We all know there is 2 options :

1. Rx
2. Surgery

Surgery isn't the option for me since its not severe.

Right now I am on 600 Carbamazepine. I take 400mg before sleep and 200mg in the morning but causes enough Drowiness to take over my life. 200mg had no drowiness.

If they don't care about you then they are in just for the money. Do research first before seeing one.




[QUOTE=Meganmole;732151]

I second what NT said, do your research, but I say on the doctor. There are a lot of sites where patients rate them and that can give you some insight as to what they're like, to a degree. You can also add your experience if you're so inclined. I know the frustration of them wanting you to try the same drugs again, I've been there and done it and eventually, I've stopped seeing them because of it. Trying one med after another takes its toll on you and your life, all facets of it. Hang in there.:hug:

As far as interactions goes, I can do that research too.

Whats a good site that shows ratings and comments for doctors?

Check out RateMDs.com
and here is another one I've visited too www.vitals.com.

There are several more out there but the first one I encountered is the "RateMDs" site. I don't know that any of these could be deemed as good, but they are another source of info.

RateMDs is ok.
Vitals has almost nothing.

I am on Oxycontin, but need to change to something that is less expensive but still is strong. I take 100 mg of the Oxy twice a day plus 2 oxycodone 5 mg. for severe break-thru pain whenever I need it. I never have a day that I don't have pain constantly. Can some of you guys help me out with suggestions for cheaper meds?

Are you taking those for TN?

hi, i am new....anyone have any tricks for bms esp outer lips????gum helps but not for lips.....also, anyone tried lyrica?????thanks so smuch!!

I found out from another Neurologist that I don't have TN. I just have Neuralgia and recommended that I see a Oral Surgeon.