Can anyone explain this? I previously had a prescription to xanax that I didn't finish.

In search of a medicinal cure for this (tegretol HELPS but doesn't CURE it) I began an experiment of xanax 3 nights ago.

I find that 0.5mg-1.0mg (depending on initial level of pain) makes the pain almost disappear My type of TN pain is tooth compressionish pain. Basically feels like two teeth are pressing together too hard causing some discomfort or slight pain.

In these three nights after taking the xanax about 90-120 minutes have passed the pain basically....disappears. I mean, I KNOW it's still there if I wiggle my tooth (readers of my past posts know my biggest trigger besides cold is physical stimulation of one tooth)

Has anyone tried this? Especially those with TN tooth pain issues?

I hesitate to mention this to my GP and eventual neuro because obviously xanax is not prescribed for TN and mainly for anti-anxiety. I find that my paranoia and fear of TN also goes away. It's almost a two bird with one stone kind of medication.

I don't have an extremely large cache of xanax left from my previous prescription. I discontinued usage due to the sleepiness properties xanax brought about during the day as my doctor put me on something else (an SSRI antidepressant).

I just thought I'd mention this.

If anyone has some xanax laying around -- do try this! The only interaction with one of our typical medicines (tegretol) is that tegretol keep xanax from reaching peak duration of plasma levels. It does NOT prevent xanax from reaching peak plasma levels overall. Meaning, same strength -- less duration. Perfect at night. I have not experienced the xanax hangover (mental cloudyness, yawning all day) either -- likely due to what I typed above.


Other medications I have been on (opiate painkillers) that have NOT had as much effectiveness as xanax: hydrocodone (vicodin) and meperdine (demerol). I find it interesting that an anti-anxiety drug has taken away my pain for 3 nights now....