Hi everyone im Pati.

I am very new to TN.
I am 26. Last year in June I had my first taste of the lightning pain. I have it only on the lower left jaw.
I had a wisdom tooth that was decayed an I had it pulled. The pain stopped now a year later boom lightning strikes again. My girlfriend thinks im paranoid that its my teeth but I know its bigger then that.
When should I see a DR? Should I wait for the pain to hit an go to the ER? Here in Florida if you dont have insurance and go to the ER for any type of pain they think you are drug seeking. I went last year an was told " What do you want us to do ". I told them my teeth hurt because thats what I thought it was. Also is it crazy that I feel like I control this with my mind. I fell like I have some power over it an if I relax it will hit. I hate this pain. I am so scared of it I dont know what to do I just want to be out of pain.

Hi and welcome to neurotalks t.n. forum. First I would suggest that you explain the type of pain or pains you are having with your general health provider. tell them you would like to see a neurologist to rule out t.n. or any neuropathic pain, compression or damage to the trig nerve on that side where your pain flares up.I see no reason to wait to inquire about having apt with a neuro doc . inquire at the neuro apt to have MRI ask about meds that help with t.n. pain.


sadly even if you have insurance most times t.n. folks are treated like drug addicts it is not just here in Florida and having insurance dose not matter. it is almost universal attitude most of us have to deal with and handle.

Usually when one is stressed and tense then pain is aggravated . one learns triggers for some it is air or touching in the area, chewing, hot or cold... then try to avoid those triggers helps control it a tiny bit.
is your pain constant? do you notice things that make it "wake up" ?? I am sure once you get to neuro and they can rx you, meds will be able to control the pain. I see no need to wait it takes a while to "jump threw the hoops" so the sooner you get the ball rolling the better.

There is allot of info in the stickies up top so read threw and see if things fit what your are experiencing then write down as best you can how the pain feels and what you were doing before the "flare up ". knowledge is power
sending good energy to you. Keep us posted and if you need any help or have questions we are here.
PEACE
BMW

Thanks BMW I can try to explain this
Last year in July I was relaxing in the middle of the night on the computer. I lean on my hand. Putting my chin on my hand an my elbow on the desk. Out of no where BOOM it was awful the left side of my jaw exploded in pain. It would last maybe 30-60 seconds and stop. I got up an tried to walk to the kitchen an fell down in pain. It stopped after about 20 rounds of shock pains. Its like my ear an face get really hot an my jaw goes boom boom shock shock. I really thought it was my wisdom tooth. I lived with the pain till sep 1st when I came back from a trip to Montana. I had no flare ups on the trip but as soon as the plane landed in Orlando boom it hit me coming out of the plane. I had the wisdom tooth removed an the pain seemed to stop. Now its a year later an the last couple of days the pain has been knocking on the door. It has not fully exploded yet.

The things that seem to make it shock me are talking... being tired hearing others talk to me like my gf was talking to me last night she seen someone get a car repo'd and she was telling me an my face went off. I also find that I am really tense when I try to relax my jaw the pain seems to hit.

I just found out about TN doing google searches about lightning pain in lower left jaw. I was looking for ways to ease the pain. I told my mom and GF that if it happens I will kill myself I cannot live like that no way no how. Death seems way less painful. I am scared of this pain like it raped me an its coming after me with a gun. So scary I get tired of thinking about it. I cannot relax I cannot do anything without the fear that it will hit.

I am going to make a DR appt. It will be 3 months out because I see a low cost DR... But if the pain hits hardcore I will go to the ER reading the posts on here give me the strength to go. I left the ER 2 times because they made me feel like a drug addict. I do not take pain pills at all I have been taking Ibuprofen that does nothing. Do you recommend something over the counter for pain? I know it will be awhile before I get any help in the pain department. TY so much!!!!

Never is death less painful not ever!!!!!! the ones left behind carry the pain,the guilt, the helplessness with them for the rest of their days.
if you are not insured one can go to the mayo clinic , the healthy department... Please do not end your life! meds will control the pain. I do not know of over the counter meds I am not a doc and a doc is the one you need to see. sometimes a warm or hot heating pad on the area helps warm the nerve and clam it down.
stay in touch and vent here if you need to we care and are a few typed words away. Stay strong and hold on till you can see a doc. sending low pain to you.
PEACE
BMW

Hi, Pati and welcome. Please seek a diagnosis and treatment as soon as you can. Suicide is not the answer (I've heard it said that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem--except it really isn't a solution and it is devastating to the other people in your life.)

There are many options for treatment so please be encouraged by that! I found in my case that the pain can sometimes escalate fast so I urge you to get help as soon as you can. In my case during the week of being diagnosed and tested before getting medication, my attacks escalated from several a day (which was annoying but tolerable) to constant unbearable pain. Can you get in to see the low cost doc sooner if you say it is urgent?

Also, if you have TN the treatment is usually anti-seizure medication rather than usual kinds of pain medications. Anti-seizure medicine is NOT the kind of medicine drug addicts want so I don't think any doctor will misunderstand what you want and think you are an addict seeking drugs once they understand the type of pain you are having.

Don't give up. You must see your doctor and have this investigated. Seek a primary care physician, and keep a journal of your pain. Your PCP will send you to a neruologist in my opinion. There is help for this, but you must seek it out. I know about that fear of pain too. Please know there is all kinds of help, for NP, or for whatever reason your jaw and face is doing this. Go find out what is wrong so that it can be treated. You will be able to go on in your life with the proper diaganosis, and treatment. Lots of medications are available. A pain specialist may be needed as well. Please keep us informed and come back here for support. there are many here who are pain patients and can help you through this process. There is hope and help, make the appt. as soon as you can. I do wish you all the best as you go forward to find a solution. Hang in there....ginnie