Connect
← Return to Trigeminal Neuralgia*
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
I am 67 years old, woman and have Trigeminal neuralgia. I am currently taking Gabapentin, 250mg 3X day. This was originally for nerve pain in my back. It does not help the TN pain. I was also on a very low dose of amitriptilyn but got heart arrhythmia after a couple years. I am getting sever flair ups all day/night. I see a pain psychologist as needed for my back pain, and she is on a panel of doctors that treat all head pain too. I have to chart my TN pain for 30 days before I can get an appointment with a neurologist. I am going to call Monday and beg to get in earlier. Are there ANY home remedies or suggestions that can stop the intense, severe, burning and shooting pain? The longest it lasts is 5 minutes, and is consistent off and on every day now.
Replies to "I am 67 years old, woman and have Trigeminal neuralgia. I am currently taking Gabapentin, 250mg..."
Welcome to Connect @reneewise50. I'm so glad you connected with @lamerex4 and hope some of her suggestions helped.
Did you get an appointment on Monday? Have you found any pain relief?
Hello, Reneewise50,
I am your age & suffer from TN. It began @ age 45, with a needed root canal, and continued for awhile afterwards. Accupuncture made the pain worse; was on Ibuprophen, 800mgs., every 4 hous, with the result of only slightly taking off the edge of the pain. Now, @ 66, I had another root canal procedure, and, TN has returned. I now take 600mgs. of Ibuprophen, every 6 hrs., with Rx Flexeril, 10mgs., every 8 hours. Don't know that it helps much, as the pain isn't gone. The only relief is lying down, & sleep. Am trying AccuPressure. Let me know of any help you discover, even in home remedies.
Welcome to Connect, @scarlettkittaen.
I'm glad you found us. Please meet @lamerex4 @trigeminalwoman38 @mooneagle @reneewise50 @bigred80 and others sharing in the TN group. As you read through the messages, you'll see a number of ways people have successfully reduced the pain as well as things that didn't work for them.
ScarlettKittaen, have you started accupressure treatments already? Are they helping?
I am 63 yr old female, first bout with Trigeminal neuralgia in 1980--took months of visits to Dentist than Doctor back & forth--finally the Doctor said he had a hunch, diagnosed TN than prescribed Dilantin, took 1 pill at bed than 1 next morning-he only gave me 3! It took care of it completely, until 1991, I took the 3rd Dilantin pill he had prescribed that I guarded with my life and it went away! About 1 month ago, recurred, saw dentist last week, he Thank God took me at my word because I am healthy and do not have a Doctor, prescribed me 6 Dilantin pills, took 5 this time to get relief, guarding last one and pain seemingly gone now! Before going to dentist, I used numbing cream on my face and orajel on my gums kept pain at bay!
Connect
I wish I had something to offer for relief, but, alas, I do not. My father tried acupuncture but did not find it effective. His gamma knife procedure only offered relief for 5 weeks. He has been on doses of nortriptyline up to 80 mg. I did find a pillow on-line that is marketed for avoiding wrinkles. It is in the shape of a C so there is no pressure on his cheek. That seems to have helped greatly. He can't lay on his other side because of an old, painful total hip replacement. Thankfully he has been strike free for about 4 weeks now, but he is in heart failure. I encourage you to find a neurologist as quickly as possible who specializes in trigeminal neuralgia. At the young age of 67, I would not hesitate to go to Mayo for treatment. I hope you find relief soon.