I am new here and I don't know if I even have TN.

In Sept last year I had an operation on my elbow (irrelevant?) Anyway afterwards noticed my right 1st molar was becoming increasingly sensitive to hot and cold foods.

Went to my dentist he poked and prodded and Xrayed and could find nothing wrong. While poking with ice though at one point he created a very sharp and prolonged pain response. But in retesting the same area no response at all. He suggested in could be sinusitis.

Got 2 scripts of antibiotics from my GP. Towards the end of the 2nd script the pain disappeared. Good must have been sinusitis.

Painfree for 4 months apart from occasional sensitivity to hot/cold food.

Then once again increasing pain.

Then last week I had a spoon of ice cream and I have never know such excruciating pain, all my teeth on the top on the right, all the teeth on the bottom on the right, along my right cheek and across to the ear. The pain seemed to lessen slightly momentarily then increase hugely again over a period of probably 10 minutes. Then settled into an aching pain in the top teeth. Over the next few days nearly every time I ate or drank anything the same excruciating pain but not for as long. Mind you I was not eating or drinking very much or very often LOL. In between times I felt fine, no pain, did not feel sick etc. Aoart from one episode whilst washing my hair and another when riding my horse, and two other not doing anything, the pain only appeared on eating or drinking.

My GP suggested it may be TN, although he put me on antibiotics in case just sinusitus again and I had a CT scan done on Friday. I get the results tomorrow.

He suggested if sinusitus was ruled out I should go on Tegretol to see if it got rid of the symptoms. He readily admits he knows little about the condition.

Having read about the side effects I am reluctant to do that until I know for sure it isn't something else.

My dentist said I should see an oral surgeon who specialises in face pain before I go on meds.

GP says I should see a neurologist as well.

Anyway the urgency has decreased as the pain seems to have now settled into a light dull ache (but in the tooth in front of the tooth originally giving problems).

What would you do?

Sorry about this long post, I promise I will keep them shorter in the future. If it is TN I am glad I have found this site as I think would need it.

I am new here too and haven't posted anything so I hope I am doing this right. Anyway... That is how mine started too Paton and I spent two looooonnnggg painful years going to the dentist getting much dental work done that did not need to be done! I did the ice test that some times set off the pain and then didn't set off the pain etc. But my dentist told me that I DIDN'T HAVE TN because I was TOO YOUNG to have it. Do yourself a favore dude cut to the chase don't waste any money or your time go to the neuro first and get what you need so they can help you so the pain can take long BEFORE it does come back. Because WE ALL KNOW IT DOES! Sorry to say. But in some cases it doesn't some cases you take the meds once and wam it's gone forever. That happened to my mom. Hoping for the best for you and nice to meet you bummer it has to be under this situation

click on the "chat" button on the top of this window when you see there are people in it. There you will be able to talk to people LIVE that have TN IT'S GREAT come and meet us we would love to have you join us!!

Thanks 2mchpn for the warm welcome.

My CT scan showed up only mild sinusitis, so GP is pretty sure it is TN (bummer). Nobody said I was too young, I guess 48 next month is considered close to 50, some days I certainly feel it.

I have a specialist appointment next Wednesday, they were really nice about it and gave me an emergency spot once I said that TN was suspected as their first usual appointment wasn't until April.

The specialist I am seeing is a specialist in Oral Medicine specialising in facial pain so not a neurologist or an oral surgeon. Not sure how these specialties work. I will see what he has to say. As I am pretty much pain free at the moment I thought I would explore different avenues before seeing the neurologist and starting on meds. No doubt I will have a heap more questions after it.

What did we all do before the internet? I would be feeling a whole heap worse at the moment if I hadn't been able to read as much as I have and know that there is this place I can ask people who know and understand what I am going through.

By the way I am in Melbourne Australia, hence my seemingly weird sign on times and weird spelling.

I started with what seemed like a sensitive tooth, but have never had dental issues EVER, other than the usual occasional fillings. Then it disappeared on its own.

The next event, about two years later in May 2006, occurred while eating. It felt like my jaw had unhinged, a lightning bolt was zapping me, and I had some swelling. Off to the ER, they diagnosed a parotid gland obstruction, but nothing showed on MRI. So, they shot me full of IV Dilaudid and sent me home with Vicodin and orders to suck sour hard candy.

After some bouts over this past year, but no swelling whatsoever, I had an excruciating episode on December 23rd, 2007. Back to the ER (oh joy!), where I was given IM Dilaudid, diagnosed with TN, prescribed Lyrica and Vicodin.

For me, Lyrica is a wonder drug! But, alas, it isn't covered by my insurance. My GP put me on Neurontin instead. Didn't work and the side effects were hideous.

So....the final upshot is that I have been represcribed the Lyrica, which we are paying for out of pocket (ouch!), but I feel great!

Good luck and painfree wishes!

Hi Patten, In Sept. 2006, I Was Diagnosed With Tn...at First The Neurologist Put Me On "lyrica" It Does Work...however, It Is Expensive...with Insurance It Was Costing Me $40 A Pop...so I Asked The Phamacist If There Was A Generic I Could Take...he Suggested A Neurontin "gababentin" 600mg 3 Times A Day, I Try To Only Take Them 2 Times A Day...for 1 Months Supply It Is Only $10...they Do Calm The Nerve In My Face But The One Bad Side Effect Is Weight Gain...i've Gained Approximately 25lbs Since I Started Taking This Neurontin...i've Been Taking Them For Approximately 1 1/2 Years...i'm Going Back To A New Neurologist In May 2008 To See If There Is Something Else I Can Take...hate The Weight Gain...it's Crazy, Because I'm Not Eating Any Differently, You Just Gain Weight...i've Tried To Wein Myself Off The Neurontins However, When I Do The Pain Comes Back So I Just Keep Taking Them....caught Between A Rock And A Hard Space...i Hope This Helps...let Me Know

Hi there Patten, sorry your are dealing with pain... and also dealing with what doc to see or not see. So many many others have been on that road.
The best thing I think ,would be to go to the doctors or neuros. that are referred by your dentist and or your g.p. hopefully insurance will help in the cost of that . At least try to get referred to neuro. But myself I did find my oral doc to be of help in getting me in to see neuro. And yes wait on the meds. until a doc that knows can rx the right ones. And same goes for any teeth work make sure it is truely needed other wise .
I am sorry your are going threw such a tough part of the road right now and I wish you low pain and many blessings. I hope you see a great doc and find answers and control quickly. Glad you found your way here and yes it is a bummer it is over such pain. all the best. Keep us posted and let us know if we can help.
Peace
BMW

Wow this is a really friendly place, thank you! Sending you lots of painfree vibes for your kindness.

The pain was pretty bad yesterday arvo and evening but OK overnight and back to fine this morning just the odd little zap and a dull ache. At least, even when it was at its worse it wasn't nearly as bad as the pain jags last week. More a bad toothache pain. Does it come and go like this for everyone in the beginning? I rode my horse this morning which always makes me feel more positive.

Jacks647, interesting you mentioned Gababentin, I was talking to my sister, who is a pharmacist, and she said that that was widely used here to treat TN. Mind you, I would hate the weight gain. I just have to look at food and will put it on, I don't need anything that encourages it. Did the Lyrica put weight on? Even amongst all the pain last week I was kinda happy to lose 4 kg without even trying. So even if it shouldn't be an issue, it would be for me (horsey would probably agree too LOL). These are exactly the sorts of things I would like to know.

Thanks again everyone.