The pain attacks are getting under control. I really think the Neurontin is kicking in. I have had fewer episodes and when I do have an episode, as long as I take a pain pill or apply heat, I can stop it if I catch it early enough. I am almost out of hydrocodone though and I won't make it though the weekend with the amount I have left. I have been taking 10mg a dose (my prescription is for 5 mg pills) and I only have 5 pills left. I am going to see if miraculously tomorrow I can get a refill. If not, I am going to cross my fingers that 5mg will relieve pain.
I have my first appointment with a neurologist on Dec 1st (Monday). Hoping that goes well. Since I am still having attacks, a nurse at their office suggested that they may consider upping the dosage of neurontin.
I am careful as to what I've been eating. I read on this blog, that sugary foods seem to be a trigger. I've noticed that to be true for myself too. So as soon as I drink something sugary (like soda) or eat something sugary I immediately brush my teeth, because if I don't, it seems like an attack is imminent. The pressure trigger is the biggest one. If I even SLEEP on the right side of my face I will be in pain. The pain doesn't wake me up though. Usually the baby will cry and when I wake up, I notice the pain. I have a problem with clenching my teeth at night so I wear a dental guard and it has really helped minimize that problem.
All in all, I have noticed a big difference in the amount of pain episodes although they seem to be more frequent at night.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Green Tea Debate
So I did my own little Green Tea experiment. Of course, I'm not talking about the good for you, cup of hot green tea. I was addicted to Arizona Green Tea. Yum Yum.
On Sunday, Dan and I moved. That night I had a killer headache. I had ingested about half a gallon of tea over the course of the day so I think that, and the massive amounts of hydrocodone cause a migraine. I also had many many facial nerve pain episodes that day (hence the hydros). The migraine lasted through the night (only on the right side of my head too, the same side as the nerve pain) until my mom coaxed me into taking 2 Excedrin Migraine tablets.
The rest of the day I didn't drink any green tea (mostly in part because I didn't have any left), however, that night I picked some up and drank it an hour or two before bed. The pain started within 30 minutes.
Today, I haven't had any green tea and I haven't had any major pain in my face. I am going to have to rule in favor of the article (somewhere on the net) that claims Green Tea can trigger attacks.
On Sunday, Dan and I moved. That night I had a killer headache. I had ingested about half a gallon of tea over the course of the day so I think that, and the massive amounts of hydrocodone cause a migraine. I also had many many facial nerve pain episodes that day (hence the hydros). The migraine lasted through the night (only on the right side of my head too, the same side as the nerve pain) until my mom coaxed me into taking 2 Excedrin Migraine tablets.
The rest of the day I didn't drink any green tea (mostly in part because I didn't have any left), however, that night I picked some up and drank it an hour or two before bed. The pain started within 30 minutes.
Today, I haven't had any green tea and I haven't had any major pain in my face. I am going to have to rule in favor of the article (somewhere on the net) that claims Green Tea can trigger attacks.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Too Early
It is too early in the morning for me. I just went to bed 5 hours ago. I am in so much pain right now. I popped 2 hydros and am doing some heat therapy. No relief yet. If it doesn't work soon I will try getting in a hot bath and soaking my face...
5 minutes later - the pain is gone.
Thank goodness.
Sometimes I question my diagnosis. Is it a toothache or is it TN? THIS SITE gave some reassuring information.
"Pretrigeminal neuralgia, an early stage of trigeminal neuralgia, is characterized by intermittent, aching pains that last minutes to hours and perfectly mimic toothache or temporomandibular joint disorder,” Graff-Radford said. This pain confuses patients and dentists alike."
I noticed that many TN sites talk about pain lasting seconds to minutes. It's comforting to know that it can last for hours because sometimes my pain goes on for up to two hours.
Also:
"The source of the problem can often be traced by injecting anesthetics into various parts of the nerve, and can be treated with anticonvulsant drugs or surgery on the nerve."
At my first dentist appointment in August, Dr. H had to drill into the bone and inject anesthetic directly to the nerve because I couldn't get numb and the nerve pain was so severe. I think there were a combination of things that cause this problem. And no, I do not blame Dr. H. He is a FANTASTIC dentist and I will continue to be a patient in his office.
Alrighty, back to bed. Wow, an attack that lasted about 15 min. Very promising. Maybe the neurontin is starting to work?
Oh, I forgot to mention. I got into a neurologist on Dec. 1st! Dr. C had an opening due to a cancellation when I called to make the appt. I am so excited!! (I was previously told it would be after the new year before I could get in.)
I'm also not sure if I mentioned it but I know stress to be a huge trigger for me. I have been trying to pray on it and give it all to God. It seems to be working some. I have been grinding and clenching my teeth at night too. I have a night guard that I should be wearing. Tomorrow night I will, and we'll see if I have minimized episodes over the night.
5 minutes later - the pain is gone.
Thank goodness.
Sometimes I question my diagnosis. Is it a toothache or is it TN? THIS SITE gave some reassuring information.
"Pretrigeminal neuralgia, an early stage of trigeminal neuralgia, is characterized by intermittent, aching pains that last minutes to hours and perfectly mimic toothache or temporomandibular joint disorder,” Graff-Radford said. This pain confuses patients and dentists alike."
I noticed that many TN sites talk about pain lasting seconds to minutes. It's comforting to know that it can last for hours because sometimes my pain goes on for up to two hours.
Also:
"The source of the problem can often be traced by injecting anesthetics into various parts of the nerve, and can be treated with anticonvulsant drugs or surgery on the nerve."
At my first dentist appointment in August, Dr. H had to drill into the bone and inject anesthetic directly to the nerve because I couldn't get numb and the nerve pain was so severe. I think there were a combination of things that cause this problem. And no, I do not blame Dr. H. He is a FANTASTIC dentist and I will continue to be a patient in his office.
Alrighty, back to bed. Wow, an attack that lasted about 15 min. Very promising. Maybe the neurontin is starting to work?
Oh, I forgot to mention. I got into a neurologist on Dec. 1st! Dr. C had an opening due to a cancellation when I called to make the appt. I am so excited!! (I was previously told it would be after the new year before I could get in.)
I'm also not sure if I mentioned it but I know stress to be a huge trigger for me. I have been trying to pray on it and give it all to God. It seems to be working some. I have been grinding and clenching my teeth at night too. I have a night guard that I should be wearing. Tomorrow night I will, and we'll see if I have minimized episodes over the night.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
"Off With Your Head"
That's how I feel right now. Just take it off. This is probably one of the worst attacks ever. I feel like I am dying a slow death. I can't even cry because it will make it worse. I have to keep my face from moving. I wish I could just sleep all day today so I wouldn't have to anticipate another attack. I woke up at 7am, took two 5mg hydrocodone, and hopped into a hot bath. I soaked the right side of my face in the water and after about an hour, the pain was gone. I lasted about 5.5 hours until the next attack, which is now.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Pill Box
Today has been a long day for me. I am tired. I don't think I am getting enough sleep. Between my two month old waking up to eat and my 2 year old waking up due to teething I am awake alot during the night. Right now my nerves are somewhere between calm and just before the beginning of a pain attack. I feel some stabbing, just lightly in the second nerve branch (the one that runs along the top teeth/sinuses). I took a hydrocodone at 9 but am trying to avoid taking any more. The limit is 8 in a 24 hour period. I don't know exactly how many I have taken today but I think it's a couple over 8. 9 or 10 maybe? I didn't count so I am not sure.
I told Dan I would like to get one of those older people pill boxes. I already can't remember if I've taken my neurontin during the day. That's not good. I mean it's 1 pill 3 times a day. At lunch I can't remember if I tool the lunch pill because half an hour before I was thinking about taking it and don't know if I followed through. I need a pill box.
I told Dan I would like to get one of those older people pill boxes. I already can't remember if I've taken my neurontin during the day. That's not good. I mean it's 1 pill 3 times a day. At lunch I can't remember if I tool the lunch pill because half an hour before I was thinking about taking it and don't know if I followed through. I need a pill box.
No Escape
I can't seem to escape this pain. Just when I think I have it under control, BAM, the onset of pain is sudden. This morning I tried meditating in bed while holding a hot towel to my face. Eventually I fell asleep, but as soon as I was awakened, the pain was back full force. The hydrocodone kinda sorta helped but not for long - two hours at the most. I usually blog while in pain, hoping maybe if I concentrate on something else it will help. I have found that if I do something, anything to keep my mind off the ice pick stabbing/electrical shock feeling, then I don't notice it so much. If I'm just sitting there, concentrating on the TN then it hurts a dozen times worse. I have searched the internet for pain relief ideas and just haven't found anything worthwhile yet. I really hope this neurontin works.
It's 6:15am
I've been up with pain since my 2 month old woke me up at 5:40am. I've taken 10mg of hydrocodone, 300mg of neurontin, and have been applying a heat compress. It is being mostly felt in one area - upper right wisdom tooth to my ear.
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