Not really, if you've got classic TN. And if you had pain relief with Tegretol, that's a good indication that's what you've got. The only meds that really work are the antiseizure meds. Anti-inflammatories (e.g. toradol, etc.) and the usual pain meds (vicodin, etc.) do nothing, as you found out. Your body does adjust to the side effects over time (confusion, lethargy, etc.) or ask to try Trileptal - a cousin to Tegretol with far fewer side effects and better pain control (at least that's what several people have reported).

You should go to the neurologist to confirm the diagnosis and rule out MS or tumor causing the pain. There are lots of complementary and alternative remedies you can try, but if it's classic TN caused by a microvascular compression of the Trigeminal Nerve root, they probably won't help. But there's no test, yet, that can confirm the compression unless it happens to show up on one of the new, more sophisticated MRIs.

There are surgical procedures, but you'll need to research those thoroughly. Visit the sticky threads at the top of the forum and get a copy of the 2004 edition of Striking Back! The Trigeminal Neuralgia and Face Pain Handbook (507 pages, $24.95) by George Weigel (former TN sufferer) and Ken Casey, M.D., a neurosurgeon who specializes in treating face pain. You can order it directly from the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association (who publishes it - you won't find it in the bookstores as it's not exactly a bestseller) by calling 800-923-3608 or 352-331-7009 (Gainesville, FL) or by visiting their website at www.tna-support.org (books available at https://www.tna-support.org/storefro...ducts.asp?id=2

Good luck and let us know how you make out with the neuro. Be sure he/she has treated other TN patients and has experience.

Jean