Good morning Jenna

I've been on tegretol for a shade over 2 months now, plenty of time for it to achieve peak duration of plasma levels. I take 200mg x 3/daily. Generally once when I wake up, once around lunch and once before bed.

My 'attacks' are in the lower part of my mouth (any other location and I chalk it up to the "mind effects" TN brings)

Anyhow -- to answer your question: I think the tegretol is doing something as when I forget to take it sometimes the pain cranks up a notch or two and I take it and 30-45 minutes later it's "better." Mind effect or pharmacological effect? Not sure! I also have random numbness from the bottom of my near to my mouth down the jaw line.

Getting to the point, hydrocodone (Vicodin) is unlikely to achieve the results you're looking for.

For the pain, you're going to absolutely want an opiate that will more readily bind to the opiate mu (μ) receptor in the brain. The μ is located in the cortex and top of the spinal cord. Stimulation of the μ receptor will lead to euphoria and analgesia -- along with decreased pain. Hydrocodone is often used as a "first line" pain killer (luckily, they didn't stick you with Tramadol first!.)

At any rate, it's likely best to talk to your doctor about how hydrocodone is NOT relieving your pain and NOT improving your quality of life.