Thanks!

Arrghhh! Had another attack today. I thought I was home free because it's been a week since the last one. So glad I made that appointment with the neuro.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that

How long do you have to wait to see the neurologist?? If it is a long wait you should really start looking into meds.

Luckily my appointment is for Wednesday. Bad timing, being the day before Thanksgiving, and I'm cooking for 20 people, lol, but I was really anxious to get in there and find out what's going on.

What do you think I should expect to happen during the first visit? Will it be more than just an exam?

I really hope he doesn't have to press down on the nerve or anything during the exam. The thought of that is giving me anxiety!

I'm glad that you have an appointment so quickly. Are you in the US?

I am in Canada. Here we have "free" medical care and have to wait to see specialists sometimes. I was diagnosed, had an MRI and started medication in September but have to wait a couple more months to see a neuro. So I don't have any advice there!

The most important thing is medication. Most of the meds take time to increase dosages and start working so you REALLY don't want to wait on that. Some peoples' TN can really escalate so don't take any chances. The second most important thing is the MRI.

I sent you a private message too

Yes, I'm in the US. I was surprised that I only had to wait a week to see the neuro. I'm guessing there was an opening because it is the day before the holiday.

I'm a little nervous about the meds because I am super sensitive to everything. I can't even take children's cold medicine without getting jittery. Lol!

I got ATN after dental work. I am also sensitive to meds. Lyrica was somewhat helpful, but I swelled up like a balloon.

Please search my posts. I ended up on a compounded cream which I put on my face where the pain is. I got/get some good relief from this. I think my neuro was a little reluctant at first to speak with a compounding pharmacist about this, but he eventually did and was surprised that she had other patients getting good results from these creams and the side effects are much LESS than pills.

Good luck with the neuro...good thoughts for pain relief!

Thank you!

Is the cream something you put on as a preventive? My attacks only last for about 10-30 seconds so they would be over by the time I applied the cream.

I didn't even know what a compounding pharmacist was so I googled it. Thanks for sharing that info!

I kind of use it like a preventative. it has made a dent in the pain. I still have some pain and certain circumstances, will cause it to flair up badly. But, I appreciate the help...as it is AWFUL pain.
Sounds like you have, for lack of a better word, "traditional" TN, sometimes called TN 1. I have atypical TN or TN2. My pain was constant....24/7. Horrible, boring, deep and relentless. I spent days screaming for hours. Others have more electrical and deep pain for short periods of time. I'm not sure if the cream would work for you....but it might! I also take a tricyclic pill daily, plus the cream. On the good side (for you), I understand TN1 is more responsive to surgery than TN2. Hang in there....I know it is VERY rough!

Thanks, Vowel Lady!

I got my diagnosis last week. I'm taking Gabapentin and am scheduled for an MRI/MRA.

The 24/7 pain sounds terrible. I hope you find some relief soon. Thanks for sharing the info about the cream!