Hello to everyone and I think I'm already glad to have ran across this site. Went to emergency room couldn't stand the burning pain anymore, gave my symptoms, doc said TN, prescribed Gabapentin, a muscle spasm med, vicodin and a steroid pack said I should get a MRI of neck (County hospital) no insurance they didno test but an EKG thought it was heart. Left arm tingly numb left side of neck and cheek but also the whole top of my head feels like it is on fire all the time with time of feeling like a cattle prod it happening whloe ring of skull crushing feeling and a head ache of a year now. They said they couldn't give the MRI unless having stroke at time, not I wait for MRI going through county they said it will be end of March to April for appointment If it's a tumor causing the pressure that time could be too late. I guess I'm just venting, you know when people family included can't see the boo-boo it's hart to comprehend the intensity. My pain is more numbness except for my neck and head whick is crushing burning pain. thanx for listening Jules

Welcome to neuro talk Julie.
I am very very sorry to hear of your situation and having no insurance
Sometimes Hospitals have programs and assistance for those who arent covered. funny a doc would dx you with t.n. without an m.r.i. but it happens more then one would think.. it sounds like besides possibly having t.n. you might have a a pinched nerve and they way you speak of your top of head ... maybe a typical T.N.
I myself would just keep going back to e.r. each time the pain grows unbearable. after awhile they will have to do something like give you a M.R.I.
Can I ask how or when you noticed the pain started? Do any of the meds help at all? anti seizure meds help alot of t.n. folks.

Yes I/we know whats it is like when you cant see anything... no cast or broken bone or stitches or anything... healthy normal people just do not understand .
But all of us here DO and we are glad you found your way to neurotalk.
please dont give up looking for a way to control the pain. Go to E.R. if need be everytime the pain is to much to bear. Let them know you cant handle the pain at such a high level. sometimes they can give nerve block injections.
feel free to vent ask questions at anytime. and Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
keep us updated on how you are doing too.
we are a family here and we help each other as much as we can.
many low pain wishes and positive energy to you.

PEACE
BMW

Isn't it the case where people with no insurance get pushed back. I go to a Doctor that is treating me a lot nicer since we got the bill caught up. I know it cost an arm and a leg each time you visit the Emergency room. I have medicare and it's whats left over even after they pay most of it, so I know how it is with NO insurance. The only pain I think of for TN is the lightening streak through the cheek but that's just my situation (was) After MVD failed we headed for Mayo clinic in Rochester Minn. I believe that the injections would be from Pain management.
It's OK to vent.....
Bless, Doodle bug7

Couldn't take it no more that they couldn't fit me in to clinic just to get referral for MRI so I found a # for the eR coordinator. I told her I need help, that I couldn.t wait that long for MRI, she talked to DR which said I should have been seen within the week and right then they got me an appointment with the clinic for tomorrow at 2pm, they clinic is also an urgent center I hope they have the MRI there but if not at least I walk out with a date for one and hopefully something that takes the burn, and crushing skull pain away better, the numbness feels alittle better. The burn spot used to be about a quarter size spot a good 9 months ago, numbness about 5.