Outside of medications, have you found ways to calm down the TN beast?

I don't quite understand this one myself, since I've been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, which is notoriously the disease of heat intolerance... but when I get severe pain from TN, getting into a steaming hot bath calms down the pain for me. I'd even go as far as saying it's more beneficial for me than the medications have been.

I had horrendous pain earlier today, and I soaked tonight for 1 hour. By the end of the bath, the pain had almost completely subsided (this is Atypical TN mind you).

I use a lot of distraction techniques such as grabbing some ice cubes and holding them in my hand, placing an ice brick on my face, meditation when I can get my mind there, moist heat, and I've also used steam. I guess I just try to divert my mind from focusing on the pain until it runs it course.

I lay my head on a heating pad, the heat just feels so good and I wear a tobagon as well! I had been having trouble with taking a shower too, mainly b/c it was so painful, but my husband bought an awesome new shower head that was as soft as rain, so I turn up the hot water as much as I can stand and just let the water run, it def makes me feel better, so I know what u are describing! I have atypical TN as well!

With that, into the bath I go. It started snowing again today and my TN got kicked up again. Ugh. Even the right side is feeling crummy. At least it's not the same intensity as yesterday (which was almost unbearable).

my numbness/tingling is quite often becoming bothersome, I am on neurontin now for the tingling pain part. which works wonders for me...but even the numbness feeling is sooo very bothersome. I try to ignore it, keeping busy. Cant do too hot of a shower, then I will be not only numb but weak too.
hugsss,sarah

3 anticonvulsants failed me, including Neurontin .

It's weird to have MS and seek out heat for symptoms that's for sure . Even if other symptoms flare up after a hot bath, they must be so minor I don't notice them.

Yep with my ear pain, heat is the only relief I get - tegretol seems to be ineffective. I have one of those crescent shaped aromatherapy bags that you put in the microwave. It wraps around and cradles the side of my face and it feels so good. I have some heated ear warmers that I keep at work - but so far I have been lucky to not need them, but I am sure I will eventually.

Rhonda

My husband was diagnosed with TN....He finds that water held in his mouth eases his pain.
I have read your replys and gonna tell him to put some heat on his face...
The emergency room doc gave him 3 perscriptions.
Neurontin,Vicodin & Elavil........So far the Vicodin isn't touching it...He has taken 11 since yesterday...
I am so worried about him....Scared he will have to go into surgery to get this taken care of....Its been acting up for over 2 weeks now.
He is a OTR truck driver so the meds that they gave him he def cant drive with them...
I have heard that there are all types of herbs that can help with pain..have any of you heard what could benefit him herb wise?...
I just hate him in pain.....I know it has to be excrutiating....He never complains so when he does...Its BAD!!....
Good Luck to all of you that have this illness I wish you the best!!......

I had my doctor prescribe 800 mg Ibuprofen for daytime attacks and I have Hydrocodone for nights which I seldom use. I also keep at my desk one of the rice-filled or corn-filled heating pads that you put in the microwave.

Another precious find that I made was something called SalonPas. They are little pads about 2" by 3" that are used for muscle pain. They are fairly cheap and come in packages of 20. My daughter had them for her knees or something and I slapped one on my face in desperation one day and - lo and behold - they worked. I carry them and if it's a particularly bad attack I can use them at work in my office when I just have to have something before my pill kicks in. I found them at WalMart and they are made by Hisamitsu Pharmaceuticals.

My TN was brought on in February of this year when I got my first root canal. I thought I was going crazy until it was finally diagnosed....well as much as it can be diagnosed.

Hi Lillie, thanks for the tip. I have never heard of the SalonPas. Do they heat up? I found a head band with an ear warmer pocket to slip the little self heating packets into - but had very little luck with that. Like you, I needed something to use at my desk when I have an episode at work. I found the little packets did not heat up very well and did not stay hot for very long either. My microwave bag works great, but not very feasible when I am at work. Maybe I need to make me a little mini size one to put on my ear. I will look for the SalonPas this weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend!