Trigeminal neuralgia

[Veganfortheanimals]

For the 4th time in 2 weeks I’m in horrendous pain again .
Dentist took an X-ray ,can’t see anything wrong ..I’ve lost 2 teeth already to this pain ,I don’t want to loose any more .
Dentist has suggested a root canal, just to see if it helps ...
The pain is in my jaw bone ,my teeth all feel fine
So I’ve been looking up on line what the pain could be ,and this TN fits the bill ....
I’ve done an e consult to my doctor and asked for carbamazepine...
Will they give it me?? Or will I need some test .
I’m in agony when it starts ,I have to lie down and concentrate hard to not scream ...I’m taking well over the recommended dose of nurofen plus ,just to get through it ..it says it’s common in women over 50 ,I’m nearly 50
Anyone had the same ..be so glad to chat to someone who understands

If anyone is taking it ,what sort of side effects could I expect

Dizziness, drowsiness and nausea.
I coped well on the low doses, but when I had to raise it, I was bouncing off door frames at home and my kids had to steer me straight when I had to walk them to school one morning as it was as if I'd had six pints!

I staggered up the stairs after taking the first dose, and crawled into bed - the second dose made me vomit. I had a short break, and then took a much smaller dose and built it up gradually. So you may feel a bit rough but it should get better and it is likely to help with the pain.

I didn’t have any side effects really on small doses but had double vision and dizziness when increased it. I am able to maintain the lesser dose. I don’t know how much it helps but I go months without pain so that’s something.

I was initially on Gabapentin and that was awful. I was so drowsy on it I would fall asleep randomly during the day.

Some people can tolerate one better than the other so if after a few weeks, you find carbamazepine not working for you, just ask to change. There is w few options for you

Oh gosh lots of not good side effects,I suppose it’s weighing up what’s worse .pain or side effects

I echo ChicCoissant I felt like a zombie when I first started taking them, had a lot of dizziness, felt nauseous and actually was sick a couple of times. Also had funny tingling in the back of my head, was actually ok on a small dose after a couple of weeks, the side effects apparently do wear off and like. PP said not everyone does get them

The pain was a lot worse than the side effects for me, and I built up to quite a large dose in the end - just took some time. I was on a few medications so the side effects (which I always suffer from with any med tbh) were multiplied I think. I started on amtriptyline, added the carbamazepine (I asked for the slow release version eventually which seemed to help with the nausea) and then added gabapentin as well.

For me the nausea was easy to control - sitting upright and sipping water - and it really only lasted for a couple of days. The tiredness lasted longer but it was such a relief I didn't care.

I’ve took my second one today,and so far I’m fine..long may it last

Yay! Let us know how you get on, I hope it works well for you OP

I’ve gone on to 2 a day ..so far so good ..
Bizarrely the anxiety I feel every morning has gone...so that’s a great side effect.
I’m chatty and I was laughing yesterday..no negative side effects yet ,and no pain either ..can’t quite belive it

I'm really pleased for you, OP.

Lovely outcome! Keep us updated if you can, hope they continue to work well for you OP

Still no side effects,..this is not like me ,I’ve never been able to tolerate anything before ..
Waiting for it all to come crashing down .

That is great news I’m so pleased you have relief from the pain and reduced anxiety is a bonus.

No
Major stress today ,got myself in a mess ,and got so stressed I couldn’t get out of it ,I started to think about self harm and suicide ..
I’ve breathed through the feelings and had a good cry
But I don’t know if that’s me ( not felt like that since I was 17) or the tablets .
Shit
I can’t go back to the jaw pain though

You can check with the GP, but you say you've had these feelings before OP?

Ask your doctor for a referral to the neurologist and the pain clinic, talk to them about the possibility of a Marcaine block.

It is totally rotten but you will come out the other side.

It was to good to be true ..
But at least no pain .i will keep going ,and noW I know it can cause those feelings,I can be aware of it

On 4 a day now ,feeling ok ..must of been a blip the other day

That sounds good, is it still helping with the pain OP?

The pain did start in the night ,but I was able to manage it with a normal amount of nurofen
But I’m wiped out ,exhausted all the time ,with a sick feeling

Sorry it’s so tough for you, I hope the side effects ease off soon

Going to start another thread and ask if anyone is on the same medication,and how they manage the side effects