Trigeminal Neuralgia Can Anyone Help?

[mrs_overall]

As mentioned earlier, I have a fractured neck (C2) from falling out of bed and bashing my head on a wardrobe. The pain in my head where I bashed it and sweeping in an arc to above my left ear is off the scale. A GP friend has said it it is trigeminal neuralgia. I have a constant burning sensation and I have had four episodes that have felled me. These episodes feel like someone is holding a blow torch to my head and when they strike I drop like a stone, wailing like a banshee. I have been taking paracetamol, ibuprofen and oxynorm every four hours but I might as well be taking smarties as nothing helps.
I am seeing a neurosurgeon later today (the one who prescribed my current cocktail of ineffective pain relief).
Can anyone suggest an effective pain relief med that will work that I can ask him for?

[Tilly2]

I can't help with the medication suggestions but I hope something can be done for you.
One thing after another isn't it? I do wish you well, Mrs_O.

[Sqad]

No, I cannot suggest anyboth pain relief therapy and I am not overenthused at the diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Wait for the view of your Neurosurgeon.

[Sqad]

"Both?"

[mrs_overall]

Thanks Tilly xx


OK Sqad, I will take your advice and report back later today

[ladyalex]

If it is trigeminal neuralgia then the neurosurgeon will be able to either give you medication or suggest surgery, both of which are very effective in its treatment.
Try not to despair about this....very difficult I know when you are in such pain.

Does your area have a pain clinic? If so, ask for a referral. (Even if it doesn't ask for a referral to a pain clinic somewhere. No one should be in that amount of pain.)
The pain clinic, usually run by anaesthetists, will be able to take an overall view of your ailments and suggest appropriate pain relief. (Includi g for trigeminal neuralgia if that is what you have.)

[shoota]

Tegretol (Carbamazepine) is the drug of choice if what you have is really TN.

(If it is - welcome to the club...... X)

[hc4361]

Tramadol helps me when I have TN. You have my sympathies, the pain is excruciating

[shoota]

http://www.tna.org.uk/pages/trigeminal_neuralgia.html

[Patsy33]

I suffered with TN about 10 years ago. Mine was in the face, thought it was tooth trouble at first until the pain became unbearable. Felt like burning electric shocks on my back top teeth! Anyone specialist put me on Gabapentin, which over time stopped the pain. Like you said, ordinary pain killers doesn't touch it. Good luck, hope you can get it sorted today. Worse known pain to man!

[Psybbo]

Can't but hope your neurosurgeon will sort it out and I wish you well x

[mrs_overall]

Thanks for all your answers.
The neurosurgeon said there is no way that it is any form of neuralgia as the scan showed no injury to my brain. When I asked what it was he just shrugged his shoulders.
I saw the pain management team while I was an in-patient and was told ibuprofen would sort me out (hollow laugh)
I have both Gabapentin and Tramadol lurking in the bottom of my meds box so I shall give them a whirl

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback.
I agree with your neurosurgeon.

[Sqad]

\\\\\\I have both Gabapentin and Tramadol lurking in the bottom of my meds box so I shall give them a whirl\\\

Wait. What dose of Ibuprofen are you taking?

[mrs_overall]

Sqad, I am taking 400mg Ibuprofen, 2 paracetamol and 5ml Oxynorm four times a day

[Sqad]

Sounds good to me.....continue over the weekend before even contemplating the other drugs.
Good night my love.

[mrs_overall]

Thanks sqad, bless you x

[bednobs]

personally i would go for an increase in oxynorm (double)