Hi, a few days ago (after having a cold and sinus infection) my wife was in excrutiating pain, so much so that I took her to the hospital. After a few shots of pain killers the pain did not subside. A CT scan revealed some mild inflamation in the sinus right above the jaw on the left side (where she was experiencing a constant pain that elevated to unbearable levels at random intervals, and lasted for a few minutes before settling down to the constant pain). She also has wisdom teeth coming in, but no dentist has been overly concered with this at this point. An xray of her teeth revealed some strange things going on, with the roots of her teeth actually being partially in the sinus. After another trip to the hospital the following day to see an ENT, the ENT looked at the CT scan results and felt that could not be the source of such terrible pain and put her on carbenzaprine (spelling?). Approximately 5 hours after taking the first tablet her pain subsided to a dull pressure in the sinus and the major pain has not returned since. The curious portion is that she was also starting antibiotics about a day before the carbenzaprine. I don't know what the doctor actually diagnosed...I wasn't able to be in the room for the consultation with the doctors (an incredibly stupid trial the hospital was doing backfired and caused confusion) and my wife was too drugged up and unrested that she isn't overly sure what he said as well.

Another curious thing is that during the intense pain chewing on ice chips helped a little. Just a little.

She is 25 years old.

I guess my questions are these:
Can carbenzaprine work that quickly?
If it is the Trigeminal nerve causing the pain, does that mean she will now have TN, or if the source of the irritation is removed (i.e. sinus inflammation) is it possible the nerve will return to normal?
Does this even sound like TN? I hate the fact that it seems carbenzaprine worked as it does point to the nerve, but maybe I am missing something...does carbenzaprine work on other types of pain, or a temporary irritation of the trigeminal? I'm terrified for her and can't find answers. I pray someone here has enough knowledge to assist! Does anyone have experience in the Toronto area with doctors familiar with this? We are located in Barrie.

Hey there, I'm afraid I can't help you with the answer to your questions, but I just wanted to acknowledge your post. Be sure that someone on here will come to your aid soon - this is the most caring, helpful, and knowledgeable group of peope on the web. They can always relate to your pain and your feelings - and have a wealth of knowledge unfortunately due to personal experience. I myself am diagnosed with atypical TN - with pain centered in my right ear and immediately surrounding the outside of the ear. Thankfully, mine is very sporadic thus far maybe every 3 months or so I will have an episode that lasts all day and sometimes off and on for 3 days. Heat applied to my ear helps more than any of the meds.

I am instructed to take the same medication as your wife (I can't spell it either) but only when I have an episode. It usually takes several hours to work, and not even sure if it is the meds or the heat that helps it. I went to several ENT's and several MRI scans before they decided it was TN - although I'm still not convinced. I live in the US (Nashville, Tennessee) so I'm afraid I can't help you with a reference in your area, but from what all I have read here it seems the majority of the members are located in Canada so I am sure you will get a response soon.

However, take the time to read the "stickies" on the first page of the TN posts - they contain a lot of really good information that may answer some of your questions. I wish I could be more helpful, but I just wanted to let you know that there are many here that care for you and your wife and will be happy to assist you. Be sure and read the posts by NanaCat - she is in your area and has had a very good outcome from her recent surgery.


All the best and good luck to both of you.

Rhonda

Your story sounds very familiar. I have TN that started as what I thought was tooth pain. My roots also run into my sinus cavity. I have had a root canal on every tooth on my right side and a root end resection on one tooth before I was diagnosed. From my experience the only drug that works is tegretol (carbamazepine). I have taken Neurontin but it only works in the beginning pain and does not offer significant pain relief. Narcotic pain meds only make you groggy and out of control, plus you are still in pain.

Steroids work if it's TMJ pain, which I have as well but it's different kind of pain. When TMJ strikes it's more like an ankle sprain kind of pain not the shocking pain of TN with different levels of intensitity.

I have also had absessed teeth which is a different type of pain as well. When I get an absessed tooth it gets a "marble" or bump on top of the tooth of infection. It is very localized but easily recognized and the antibiotic usually helps within several hours.

Carbamazepine can work that quickly, at least it can for me depending on when I catch an attack. However, recently my pain has forced me to take it full time lately. For the last couple of months it has been relentless. It seems to be getting worse over time, less remission more episodes. Gauging the med is what becomes the task. Finding out how much and at what intervals is daunting because when the med wears off, the med wears off.

One last thing, chewing on ice chips made it better? Personally that would send my TN into overdrive. I avoid the cold at almost all cost during an attack. I don't even turn on the air conditioner in the car when an episode hits. Heat seems to be the only real relief. I would definitely check that out with the neurologist.

Good Luck I hope this helps you and your wife.

I don't really have much advice sorry but there are a list of specialist, surgeons and support groups *edit* (Sorry I can't post it as a link as my post count isn't great enough)

There are also phone contacts that you can talk to.

All the best, I hope you both find some answers and relief soon.

Jen