Diagnosed by GP, neuro?
 

I've been having severe pain in my jaw, ear, cheekbones, teeth, forehead for a few weeks. I went to the dentist and he couldn't find anything so I went to my family doc yesterday and she diagnosed me with TN. Should I try and see a neurologist or just try the meds she prescribed?

This is so painful :(

What meds did she prescribe? I would definitely see a neurologist. It would be nice if he/she did an MRI and do an evoked potential test to see exactly what's going on.

Here's the deal....a GP can make an accurate diagnosis of TN but after that is really not in the best position to treat it...

As mentioned before you need to have an MRI/MVA (the contrasting part of the MRI) done soon to rule out anything more serious.....a good Neurosurgeon can look at the MVA which shows the vascular system.... and can give you a good educated guess if you are a candidate for an MVD.( the brain surgery) which is important to know!!

From there a Neuro will know better what meds to try and at what doses.....I have heard too many cases where a well intentioned GP says you're at your max limit on this drug but you go to a Neuro and find out that the limit is so far off and you've been living in way too much pain because this GP is just not as well versed on these meds...like a Neuro should be......

It's your call and I firmly believe that having a really good GP that keeps an eye on all your stuff can catch and prevent problems,,,but I think they are ill equipped to actually treat TN effectively..

And again,,what meds did she prescribe and at what dose??? and yes,,,take the meds!!!! the sooner you get some kind of control on the pain the better!!!!!

Good Luck.......Beth