Trigeminal Neuralgia*

Posted by lamerex4 @lamerex4, Jun 23, 2016

My 92 year old father was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia more than a decade ago. For a long time Amitriptyline kept the 'strikes' at bay. He became symptomatic again last October. In March they did a Gamma Knife radiation treatment. This halted his symptoms for about 6 weeks. Two weeks ago he started having daily 'strikes' again. His PCP switched him from Amitriptyline to Lyrica. Now that he is weaned completely off the Amitriptyline and on the full dose of Lyrica he is having 'strikes' several times a day. The local neurosurgeons won't consider surgery, but we are desperate. Any insights at all on any therapeutic modalities would be appreciated. Acupuncture was not effective.

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bigred80 | @bigred80 | Oct 3, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @lamerex4, It must be so hard to see your father suffer with this pain. Mayo..." + (show)

I HAVE NO HELP BUT ARE IN THE SAME VOTE BOTH SIDE OF MY FACE ARE NUMB AND IT DRIVES ME CRAZY. THE MEDS I HAVE TRIED HAVE NOT HELP I USE ICE PACKS I CARRY THEM EVERYWHERE. THAT SEAMS TO HELP SOME . IF ANYONE KNOWS ANY MEDS THAT MIGHT HELP I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM... I DON'T THINK TO MANY PEOPLE AND DRS. KNOW TO MUCH ABOUT THIS. I HAVE BEEN TO A SPECIALIST AND HE SAID DON'T HAVE SURGERY. THANKS

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 3, 2016

Welcome to Connect @bigred80. I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing struggle with pain. Mayo Clinic's info on trigeminal neuralgia treatments list a variety of anticonvulsants, antispasmodic agents or botox injections, as well as surgical treatments http://mayocl.in/1Mz18C8 What treatments have you tried with your medical care team?

bigred80 | @bigred80 | Oct 4, 2016

I HAVE HAD OXCARBAZEPINE 300MG TEGRETOL -XR 100MG DULOXETINE DR 600 MG BEEN TO SPECIALIST HE SAY NO SURGERY BECAUSE OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO MY FACE. SO FAR TRYING TO TOUGH IT OUT BUT HARD TO DO USE ICE PACKS MOSTLY AND PAIN KILLERS.

kandigirl25 | @kandigirl25 | Oct 30, 2016

Suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, can anyone relate? Any sugestions?

lamerex4 | @lamerex4 | Oct 30, 2016

In reply to @kandigirl25 "Suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, can anyone relate? Any sugestions?" + (show)

My 92 year old father has trigeminal neuralgia. None of the newer drugs gave him relief but he got some relief for several years with amitriptyline. When that stopped working he had a gamma knife procedure which worked for 5 weeks. Find a doctor that thoroughly understands the magnitude of this syndrome.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 31, 2016

Welcome @kandigirl25, I'm glad to see that you connected with @lamerex4. You'll notice that I moved your message to an already existing discussion where a group of Connect members are talking about living with trigeminal neuralgia. In addition to Lamerex4, you'll meet @bigred80 @tlgreg60 @reneewise50 @ladyjane85 and @uncbball.

I like Lamerex's suggestion of finding a doctor who understands TN. Kandigirl, what treatments have you had thus far?

bigred80 | @bigred80 | Nov 1, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @kandigirl25, I'm glad to see that you connected with @lamerex4. You'll notice that I moved..." + (show)

only gabapentin and duloxetine have had the problem almost 2 years I use hot packs and ice packs that helps a lot carry them where ever I go. keeping busy helps been to two specialist they said no surgery. I just got a new cream to apply to face. I may go to mayo clinic or Cleveland clinic. help if you know anything better good luck thanks

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 1, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @kandigirl25, I'm glad to see that you connected with @lamerex4. You'll notice that I moved..." + (show)

BigRed, should you wish to get a second opinion at Mayo Clinic, here are the contact numbers to call http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63. What is the new cream you are using? Is it helping?

bigred80 | @bigred80 | Nov 2, 2016

THE NEW CREAM I AM USING IS DICLOFENAC SODIUM TOPICAL GEL HAVEN'T USED IT LONG ENOUGH TO TELL BUT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BETTER BUT AS I AM WRITING THIS I AM HAVING TINGLEING IN BOTH CHEEKS. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE YOU LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT. I HAVE THOUGH ABOUT MARIJUANA WHAT DO YOU THINK? MY CHEEKS ARE SOWLLEN AND I BITE MY CHEEKS AND LIPS A LOT. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THAT PROBLEM? THANKS

lamerex4 | @lamerex4 | Nov 2, 2016

My dad does not have swelling and he only has it on one side. He is too old (92) and has congestive heart failure so he is not a candidate for surgery. I don't know how anyone can learn to live with such extreme and unpredictable pain. I encourage everyone who is otherwise healthy to go to a major medical center like Mayo or Cleveland for a second opinion and the best treatment possible at this time.