I have never had any problems till I went for a tooth cleaning after that burning, pain in my tooth.My dentist filled the tooth as the filling had come loose. Told him about the burning but he didn't listen. After that told I needed root canal which made the burning and pain worse. The dentist related it to a tooth problem and pulled the tooth which was a front one, put a flipper in which had to be removed two days later as the pain was intense. I finally found a pain management doctor who diagnosed trimengial neuralgia. He put me on triliptical which has helped somewhat but I still have flare ups at time, sometimes I don't know what sets it off, but the cold and brushing my teeth makes it worse. The tooth next to the tooth that was pulled burns also. The gums on the left side top and bottom burn periodically, and my lips and tongue burn. I have never been in this much pain in my life. Sometimes I ask God to take me. Some days I feel good and think there is hope and other days it starts up again. I pray every day for relief. The Doctor I am seeing is kind and compassionate. I had a brain scan and they did not find a tumor. I am at my wits end hoping for total relief. Three months ago I was fine and now I can't do the activities I use to. Have to eat soft foods and broths and shakes. Haven't been able to eat in the front as it is impossible. I am glad I found a forum with people that are going through the same thing.

Makenzie,
Posted on your Introductions message, so glad you found your way here.
Take it as a positive that your scan was clear, we all have so few plusses that to hear about one for another member is a boost to us all.
I AM sorry to hear your TN is affecting your ability to eat, and especially your mood. My TN covers the whole of the left side of my head and face, doesn't affect my eating but makes me drool at inopportune moments.
Things like this, the constant pain, will lead to Depression and you are clearly having problems there. Have you spoken to your GP about this? It is a serious matter which makes everything else worse. I know you turn to God, but you can also find support here. The places for this are, Sanctuary for Spiritual Support and Depression Forums.
They are not a substitute for professional care, but the members are going through the same things and understand.

Dave.

Sorry you are going through this. Many of us start off in the dental chair. Be careful with dental procedures. TN is a great faker. I have tooth and gum pain too. Everyday--some better than others. I am glad to hear that you are responding to medication. I have bilateral ATN. I also get break through pain and flair ups on a regular basis.
I'm sorry that it is affecting eating. This pain is dead miserable. It helps to have other people to talk to. Ask anything.

Thank you both. I did speak to my pain management doctor and he gave me a pill to take at night. Nortripiline along with the triliptical. It has helped the depression. Friday was a good day, Saturday was pure hell. Just when I thought I could'nt take any more pain, it stopped on it's own. It is as if this disorder has a mind of it's own. Because the problem is in my front gums and tooth, I can not chew or even go there as the littlest touch starts it up. It is hard having a front tooth missing, as I can not have anything put there as it aggravates the tooth next to it which aggravates the nerve. I try my best to make sure I have nourishing broths and shakes, soft foods are okay. I have noticed a little drool at times. This disorder makes you not want to go out in public especially if one has tooth missing in the front, it is embarrassing I want to ask you how do you get a teeth cleaning. Do you tell the hygienist to stay away from the area with the nerve problem. I am so afraid the hygienist will make it worse. Any help you can give me will be much appreciated. I notice it gets worse at times when I brush my teeth. Is there ant toothpaste that doesn't bother the area. This is all so new to me, never heard of this condition till I was told of it by the pain management doctor. Thought I was crazy till I found him.

Tricyclic anti-depressants, such as Nortriptyline, can help with the actual pain as well the depression. All of these meds take time to build up in your system and you have to increase slowly so hang in there. Hopefully they will bring you some relief. And TN does have a mind of its own. I can be in agony one day and pain free the next. For me it comes more in isolated attacks that can last a day, a week or a month. Use that pain free time to relax and refocus. Stress and anxiety exasperate TN so take care of yourself and be aware of that.
Find a dentist that understands and is compassionate. My dentist always saves my worst area for last so that if pain starts we are finished. Sometimes we skip that area all together. And I have cancelled many appointments last minute because I was in pain that day. He always does full xrays so we can address any problems quickly. Some people use baby toothbrushes for brushing or skip some days and use mouthwash. For some people the peppermint is a trigger so you need to find a different toothpaste.Having physical touch of the area being a trigger is difficult. Obviously our oral health is imperatively important but it is easier said then done sometimes. As you move through this you will become more aware of what triggers your pain and hopefully this will enable you to have less pain. Common triggers are physical touch of certain areas, wind, cold, barometric pressure, stress, anxiety and lack of sleep.
Unfortunately it takes some people years to be diagnosed because many Drs don't know of this condition. You are very lucky if you have a Dr that knows, understands your pain and wants to help you. Some people keep a diary of daily pain, locations and anything that could be a trigger. It can help you and your Dr. immensely to have this.
Keep asking questions and learn as much as you can.

Makenzie,
I agree with Justjane about the dental work - and then some - I am ashamed to admit I visit the Dentist for emergency work only, the pain is just too bad for cleaning and routine work. I get by with loads of mouthwash and gum, and little-and-often brushing when I can. I wear a beard by choice but can only trim it (electric trimmers) every 3 months or so and having someone touch my head to cut my hair happens every few years.
I understand how you thought you were crazy at the start of this, mine began with painful pins and needles numbness(like your arm waking up when you've slept on it wrong) in my nose, spreading up to my forehead. Try telling that to your GP. Thankfully, my GP is excellent and referred me to a Neurologist. By the time the appt came round the numbness had spread all over the left side of my face and head so dx with an MRI confirming the arterial knot was easy.
I have numbness all the time, and different things which cause extreme pain like you. As time goes by you have to modify your life to accommodate this horrible condition without letting it run or ruin it. I take no meds specifically for TN as I have severe Neurological Hypersensitivity, neck and back injuries and Depression etc so I have Lidocaine infusions, take Ketamine, Oral Morphine, Tramadol and Mirtazapine. The anaesthetics combined with the opiates are very good at dulling down neurological pain, even for me reduction is 40% on the best days.
Keep on top of your PM team with regard to finding a level of medication that will allow you to eat properly on 'normal' days, modifying your diet so radically is no way to have to live. Above all else, stay positive. TN may be grating, depressing Hell but we are still here and we have good days, and - who knows - the next change in meds might bring you almost total relief.

Dave.

Thank you. I am scared to go have a Cleaning, IT IS DUE IN MARCH. i HAVE BEEN USING A CHILD'S TOOTHPASTE WITH A FLAVOR OF STRAWBERRY NO MINT. YESTERDAY WAS GOOD TODAY IS BAD. Sorry my keys got stuck. I would like to know how long does it take for triliptal and nortripiline to start working? Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. The doctor started out with one and has worked the medicine up. Today was horrible and still is. I flossed there and when I washed my face the tooth and gums started burning. I took a half of pain pill, and it hasn't helped at all. Just when I think every thing is better it starts up again. Does it ever get under control at all? Thankyou all for helping me. I suffered for three months and would rock back and forth crying not understanding what was happening to me. I wish I had known it wasn't the tooth. I never would have had it pulled. I don't know if I will be able to have a fake tooth put there. It is frustrating at times. I am so sorry you are all going through so much.

I am so sorry this is affecting you so badly at the moment, but that is the nature of this hateful condition. As Justjane stated, your meds will take a little while to kick in properly - perhaps a few weeks - then there is the time it takes to modify doses (while you are getting relief). You HAVE to hang in there and avoid things that may trigger severe attacks, things that are natural like flossing.
It is clear that your 'break through' pain meds are not enough for the level of attacks you are having. You need to have this adjusted to suit or Depression is a real concern.
Despite all this, all the pain, all the meds, there is hope. When you are left with a chronically painful condition like TN your mind in all it's Glory learns to cope with the pain better and things seem to become dulled most of the time. I'm not saying it's going to go away or become easy - but I hope for your sake that it does - it can seem that way.
Look after your mental health at all times. Come on here to question or vent, or just to seek some support.
Sorry if I've rambled a bit, was taken to a family event today with no meds - excessive pain - followed by everything at once.

Dave.

Thank you English Dave and Bless you both. I have been on the higher dose for two weeks.

I also have a question, does any one have bad days and good days on the triliptical> Is it suppose to work all the time or does it not help at times. I have gone 1 and 1/2 days pain free and then whamo it will start up.