[Nik-key]

You have got to be kidding me right? That is the question I asked the ER doctor tonight. (well early early this morning)

It started late this afternoon. I was having a reasonably good day too! Then bam all of a sudden a new pain hit the left side of my face. My right side has always been worse shock wise. The left side has the sever AD and more ATN pains, of course with the classic TN pains, but not as sever as the right.

This pain was new, and debilitating. It took me right back to my first horrific attack. It didn't follow the normal TN or ON nerve root either. All my pains tend to shoot from the side of my head, to the center of my face, forehead , eyes, jaw, nose areas. And the ON of course from the neck up the back of my head. This was different, it shot up from just below the lower jaw all the way up to my eye, IN my eye.

I know I will, but damn I can not take any more pain added to the pain I already have daily! The local ER could do nothing for me, nothing. Not even a nerve block of any kind. I then contacted the hospital where I see my neurologist........(dartmouth-hitchcock medical center) It is about an hour and a half from here, so before I went that far in this pain, with my Alzheimer husband and my niece and nephew I figured I would see IF they could do anything before I went.

I talked to a wonderful neurologist, she called me back in less than 2 minutes!
She talked at great length with me (OUCH!) and said sadly it was a new track that TN had taken. She was very nice and empathetic, but there was nothing she could do to help. I already have the opiates they would have given me, and there was nothing else they could do.

Who knew TN could and would find another nerve track to take. She explained it hurt so bad as this nerve was attacked for the first time. I know it is odd, but even though it hurts like hell, one does "get use" to the pain. So this new pain, effected me harder , like it did in the beginning as it was exactly that, a new pain, a new nerve effected. Well bite me!!

At any rate I am up as I can not lay down. ANY pressure on my head or neck sends me into a spiral of pain so severe I throw up. The neurologist has called in a script for lanacane patches. She said to cut it and place of the most severe areas of pain. I will give anything a try!

*sigh* This too we shall overcome..........thanks in advance for letting me vent!

[EE03]

Niki,

I'm really feeling for you and I'm so sorry that this has happened. It sounds as though you have fantastic care available to you and sympathetic to boot. I was treating with one neurologist who didn't work Fridays. I was flabbergasted when I disicovered that. It seems as though some docs want to limit their schedules. Needless to say, I stopped treating with him. I also suffer from no sleep and no laying down when my TN decides to fire off real bad. That is such a horrible feeling to be so tired yet not be able to sleep. And, I suspect I also have ON but I'm waiting to see my neuro to discuss that. Anyway, I just wanted to send you mega and boat loads of low pain wishes.
Take care, Ellena

[Mylastnerve]

Nik-key,
I am sorry that you are hurting! It can be so discouraging when your condition changes. The good thing about this message board is that you can come here and vent all you want, because we sure as heck know what you are talking about.
I use lidocaine patches often - my V1/V2 branches are affected, so by the time that I have the patch all cut and pasted on, I look like I am wearing the mask from "The Phantom of the Opera".
I often acheive pretty good pain control this way, in conjunction with narcotics, when I get a flare. I would encourage you to try them.
It sounds like you talked to a great neuro, who actually knew a thing or two about this condition.
Good luck with the patches!!
Lily

[Twinkletoes]

Awwww, Nik-Key, that's just Awful! Wish I knew how to help. Just sending gentle hugs. Hope you at least get some sleep.

[Nik-key]

Thank you all so much Tina please let the SOS folks know I just can't be on till this lets up. The patches I got were actually lidoderm patches. Thye haven't helped with the lightinbolt, being electrocuted pains
but did help with some of the background pains. I WAS able to get so sleep.
Not much, but am thankful. Going to go lay back down, well sit up.....thanks again, will check in when I can

[Doody]

Oh (((Nik-key))), I'm so sorry! I hope you feel better soon dear heart.

[Doody]

Oops, never mind, I just posted in the wrong thread, lol.