I thought I'd start a thread for a collection of things that you use to get some relief from the pain. How many here have tried the capsaicin, and how did it work for you? How about heat, or cold? Any other good remedies? Let's share our most useful information. nancy

I like to get a moist heatpack and wrap it around my head (it sure is a hoot to see) and then turn some music on and recline in my chair. I also will have a warm cup of coffee, tea, or cider.

Something about heat brings me comfort, like a hug from Grandma. I am not sure if it helps, but having it wrapped around my head makes me feel rather 'safe'.

Heat is always my first thought. I find it comforting, and in many cases it really does help ease muscle pain. After my back was broken, the physical therapist used electrical stimulation and a marvelously heavy heating pad, and the relaxation, pain relief and just plain comfort it gave me was wonderful. I use a similar large gel-filled pad when the polymyalgia makes the large leg muscles hurt too much, and it always seems to make me feel better (is some of this just in my head? and if it is, do I care?). But I was quite interested in a recent mailing from the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association on the use of cold to affect nerve pain. It talks about cold, both as the familiar ice-pack sort of cold and also as a chemically induced sensation. You can check it out at www.endthepain.org. Of course many of the old liniments contained things like menthol, which have a cooling sensation.

I wondered how many people here have tried the capsaicin creams as a regular treatment. I used Zostrix a lot in the earlier years of my tn, and believe that it prolonged the remissions which I had at first. I could give myself a little break from the tegretol that I was on at the time by applying the ointment several times a day. I never minded the burning sensation, not even when it really heated up in a shower or while cooking at a hot stove. I did mind a lot when it strayed into sensitive areas around my nose and mouth and eyes. Something that did the same job but wasn't as messy to use and as likely to transfer to tender tissues would probably still be helpful.

Even if research shows that cold applications are useful, and products become available, I won't give up my hot water bottle or my heating pad though! Since my house is only heated with a woodstove, and Maine winters are windy and cold, what could be nicer than a warm puppy and a hot water bottle?

Nancy

Ermmm, How about a warm puppy, hot water bottle and Brad Pitt? oh and chocolate cake!

Seriously though, the cold on my face is a no no.. heat pads are good.

Tracy.

I like Tracy's idea (but have to add the warm kitty, and replace Brad Pitt with Ray Liotta).

For me, it's odd. Cold weather is a huge trigger, but ice packs help the pain when nothing else does.

I just bought a migraine ice pack with magnets - worth a try - the last few weeks I'd have swallowed live spiders if I thought it would help with the pain. Not those little ones either, but big hairy ones. So, $16 for some magnets is definitely worth a shot.

Sorry about that - it's the best way I can explain the pain to folks who don't have TN (not that it isn't probably true, lol).

I have the gel pack in the freezer now, and I'll let y'all know how it works.

Love,
Jan

Relief??? You mean there is relief? Where???(looks around) j/k.

For rae is it is cold stuff. Heat is bad for her. It usually triggers a pain attack. Try going to a restuarant with that one! For me I have found that hiding in my bed with the covers up over my face with the lights off and praying for the end to come works best. Or reading. Anything that can take my mind off the pain. Of course this is someone who slept thru labor and delivery on all her children so maybe I am not the best person to ask.

Crystalina