Sharbear
09-18-2002, 01:28 AM
Hi,
Today I was finally able to see the Neurologist and he has put me on Depakot (oops, I think I spelled it wrong) Has anyone here ever tried it? It is to prevent the headaches. Any weired side effects for anyone? It's normally to prevent seizures but for some reason helps with headache prevention as well.
Sharri
Today I was finally able to see the Neurologist and he has put me on Depakot (oops, I think I spelled it wrong) Has anyone here ever tried it? It is to prevent the headaches. Any weired side effects for anyone? It's normally to prevent seizures but for some reason helps with headache prevention as well.
Sharri
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eh6490
09-24-2002, 07:14 AM
prothiaden was recommened to me by a neurosurgen for constant headaches taken in the evening that helps me
thisstarr
09-24-2002, 11:14 PM
Hey Sharbear,
Now I know this may not happen to you, but years ago I was giving depokete for my headaches..
This stuff was really bad for me, I kept seeing things that were not there, hear voices, seeing shadows of images in my house....and I know this may sound funny, but I kept seeing a black cat! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif
It made me feel crazy :eek: like I belonged in the funny farm!!! I was not my self at all, I was 18 at the time so I know know if is was because I was young...but It really scared me to be on it! I hope this does not happen to you, but you wanted to know so I wanted to inform you in case that cat comes over to your house..l.ol..
good luck,
Starr
Now I know this may not happen to you, but years ago I was giving depokete for my headaches..
This stuff was really bad for me, I kept seeing things that were not there, hear voices, seeing shadows of images in my house....and I know this may sound funny, but I kept seeing a black cat! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif
It made me feel crazy :eek: like I belonged in the funny farm!!! I was not my self at all, I was 18 at the time so I know know if is was because I was young...but It really scared me to be on it! I hope this does not happen to you, but you wanted to know so I wanted to inform you in case that cat comes over to your house..l.ol..
good luck,
Starr
mbr22
09-26-2002, 01:08 PM
Starr - I just began depakote for chronic daily headache, 24/7 like you describe. My wife and I already have 3 cats, so that black cat better not come over to our house!
mbr
mbr
Bren30
09-27-2002, 02:04 AM
Shar..
I took Depakote and Celexa together for a year..I gained 35 pounds and had a locked Disk..Hummm?
I ask my Nero about weight gain after it was too late.Then he wanted to tell me he warned me.Nope.
Well I'm not sure which one it was..But I just got fat...I didn't see any weird stuff or fuzzy animals. I was in such pain I did see stars..
I hope it helps....But if you notice a pound or two it may the meds.
********Bren
I took Depakote and Celexa together for a year..I gained 35 pounds and had a locked Disk..Hummm?
I ask my Nero about weight gain after it was too late.Then he wanted to tell me he warned me.Nope.
Well I'm not sure which one it was..But I just got fat...I didn't see any weird stuff or fuzzy animals. I was in such pain I did see stars..
I hope it helps....But if you notice a pound or two it may the meds.
********Bren
thisstarr
09-27-2002, 04:13 AM
Hi MBR,
lol..your so funny....I hope it works for you, how long have you been on it? I swear the more I think about it now, the funnier it is...(now) but at the time it scared the hell out of me..people thought I was nuts!!!I think I was taking it on top of other medication I just remember being really dope up on drugs... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gifand the headaches I was having then were so bad I thought I was going to die..(At the time I did not know I had tmj, none of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me!) So they just gave me a bunch of durgs to take..Stupid doctors.. my headaches (then) went a way for a while..I thought I was cured.. and now I have had a headache for over a year :( with everything else tmj so badly gives you....If that cat comes to your house hit it with a broom..lol.. :) or take him to the pound!!!
Sharbear,
hope your doing ok, havent seen you on the board in a few days, hope your feeling ok :)
Take care,
Starr
lol..your so funny....I hope it works for you, how long have you been on it? I swear the more I think about it now, the funnier it is...(now) but at the time it scared the hell out of me..people thought I was nuts!!!I think I was taking it on top of other medication I just remember being really dope up on drugs... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gifand the headaches I was having then were so bad I thought I was going to die..(At the time I did not know I had tmj, none of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me!) So they just gave me a bunch of durgs to take..Stupid doctors.. my headaches (then) went a way for a while..I thought I was cured.. and now I have had a headache for over a year :( with everything else tmj so badly gives you....If that cat comes to your house hit it with a broom..lol.. :) or take him to the pound!!!
Sharbear,
hope your doing ok, havent seen you on the board in a few days, hope your feeling ok :)
Take care,
Starr
mbr22
09-27-2002, 11:10 AM
Starr - My headaches began right after I had 4 wisdom teeth removed, so something in my jaw got screwed up. The TM joints appear fine on MRI's, but I think either nerves or muscles or something got damaged during the teeth extraction (I do know I was put under with demerol injection, and I think my jaw got really strecthed open wide). At first, the headaches were just around my eyes, forehead and temples. Later, pain went down in to jaw, and last few years pain has went to whole neck area. It seems like pain is everywhere!
I hope the depakote works, but so far no luck, and I've been on it over a month.
carol_in_california - I really want to tell my neuro to try neurontin for me, becasue I see that it alleviates nerve pain. I've tried so many muscle relaxers and anit-inflammatorys and anti-depressants, we need to try somehting new now! I'm glad neurontin has worked for you. Is it the first drug that has worked for you?
Bren30 - does depakote cause weight gain just because you are more hungry and eat more (which I am always starving on it!). I just now jog alot more to try to counteract weight gain.
P.S. - Starr - if that cat shows up at our house, it better be quick because our one cat weights 20 lbs. and may eat him for dinner!
mbr
[This message has been edited by mbr22 (edited 09-27-2002).]
I hope the depakote works, but so far no luck, and I've been on it over a month.
carol_in_california - I really want to tell my neuro to try neurontin for me, becasue I see that it alleviates nerve pain. I've tried so many muscle relaxers and anit-inflammatorys and anti-depressants, we need to try somehting new now! I'm glad neurontin has worked for you. Is it the first drug that has worked for you?
Bren30 - does depakote cause weight gain just because you are more hungry and eat more (which I am always starving on it!). I just now jog alot more to try to counteract weight gain.
P.S. - Starr - if that cat shows up at our house, it better be quick because our one cat weights 20 lbs. and may eat him for dinner!
mbr
[This message has been edited by mbr22 (edited 09-27-2002).]
thisstarr
09-27-2002, 07:03 PM
Hi MBR,
My story is almost like yours, I got all four of my wistom teeth taken out my senior year of high school they were all impacted and it was hell for me..(I missed 8 weeks of school and almost did not graduate) started getting bad headaches but didnt relieze it was from getting my teeth taken out! I was told dental work does not cause headaches..ha...lol..dont they wish.....Well I went on with headaches for years when I was 21yrs old I got in a car accidnet and that pushed my tmj into full force and after years finally figure out what was causeing me so much pain, I was relieve and sad at the sametime! My pain is pretty much the same.. but I know all are pain is different.. I have pain really bad behind my eyes and on the sides of my head and my temples, that shoot down my jaw to my neck and even my shoulder..Do you ever get shooting pains in your head? I get sick to my stomach alot..I hate it! I dont have insurance so I really havent seen a doctor on a reg basis, I found one close to me that I can hope will help me, I go on monday.. :)I am really not excited though..I am tired of getting excited about finding a doctor that I "think" can help me that doesnt..I hate getting my hopes up for nothing... The last guy I saw didnt want to give me any med's AT all, he said I dont need them!
It is just not fair, but talking with everyone on this borad has helped me so much...
You have a 20 pound cat wow!! make sure he is your watchgaurd :)
take care,
Starr
:)Sharbear...hope your ok and not seeing the "black Cat"...havent heard from you!
[This message has been edited by thisstarr (edited 09-27-2002).]
My story is almost like yours, I got all four of my wistom teeth taken out my senior year of high school they were all impacted and it was hell for me..(I missed 8 weeks of school and almost did not graduate) started getting bad headaches but didnt relieze it was from getting my teeth taken out! I was told dental work does not cause headaches..ha...lol..dont they wish.....Well I went on with headaches for years when I was 21yrs old I got in a car accidnet and that pushed my tmj into full force and after years finally figure out what was causeing me so much pain, I was relieve and sad at the sametime! My pain is pretty much the same.. but I know all are pain is different.. I have pain really bad behind my eyes and on the sides of my head and my temples, that shoot down my jaw to my neck and even my shoulder..Do you ever get shooting pains in your head? I get sick to my stomach alot..I hate it! I dont have insurance so I really havent seen a doctor on a reg basis, I found one close to me that I can hope will help me, I go on monday.. :)I am really not excited though..I am tired of getting excited about finding a doctor that I "think" can help me that doesnt..I hate getting my hopes up for nothing... The last guy I saw didnt want to give me any med's AT all, he said I dont need them!
It is just not fair, but talking with everyone on this borad has helped me so much...
You have a 20 pound cat wow!! make sure he is your watchgaurd :)
take care,
Starr
:)Sharbear...hope your ok and not seeing the "black Cat"...havent heard from you!
[This message has been edited by thisstarr (edited 09-27-2002).]
dawn2
09-27-2002, 07:40 PM
The anti-seizure meds help calm the central nervous system which in turn helps relax the muscles. I know someone on Neurontin and he no longer has restless leg syndrome. Since so many with tmj have muscle tension which in turn causes a lot of the headaches, they are using these kinds of meds now. I'm on an anti-seizure to help me sleep (Clonezapam)cause of my fibro. It does help relax the muscles some, but I don't take it during the day. After a while, the body gets use to it and you have to increase the dosage. I don't know about that in the case of Depakot and Neurontin.
Elaine
09-28-2002, 01:31 AM
Starr,
I haven't heard from Sharri as often either. I think she is having a terrible time with headaches and is not online as much. I know she was going to the doctor as she was in a lot of pain. I will let her know you are wondering and thanks for being concerned.
Elaine
I haven't heard from Sharri as often either. I think she is having a terrible time with headaches and is not online as much. I know she was going to the doctor as she was in a lot of pain. I will let her know you are wondering and thanks for being concerned.
Elaine
mbr22
09-30-2002, 09:19 AM
Hi Starr - your story sounds very similar to mine, as well as the pain symptoms. I used to get excited about seeing new doctors for treatment, but after so many failures, I now am apprehensive about seeing new docs. However, I will continue to search new treatments until somehting provides relief!
If I could go back and have the wisdom teeth removed over again, this time I would not be put under with demerol shot, and just use novocaine only. I firmly believe that my mouth was stretched open so wide for so long during the extactions (all teeth were impacted also) that my ligaments, muscles, tendons, and/or nerves got really bent out of shape.
Anyway, I hope you can find a good TMJ specialist out your way. Do you live near LA?
mbr
If I could go back and have the wisdom teeth removed over again, this time I would not be put under with demerol shot, and just use novocaine only. I firmly believe that my mouth was stretched open so wide for so long during the extactions (all teeth were impacted also) that my ligaments, muscles, tendons, and/or nerves got really bent out of shape.
Anyway, I hope you can find a good TMJ specialist out your way. Do you live near LA?
mbr
thisstarr
10-01-2002, 12:35 AM
Hi Mbr,
I live in Upland it is by Ontario Ca do you know where that is? Where do you live?
I think it is going to take me forever to find a good doctor I went today to see a tmj dentist and he said he was going to make me a splint to wear during the day that I can wear while I eat, so I hope it helps, but not counting on it.I have to go back thursday...He seems like he understood a little bit, but not as much as I wanted him too...I had to beg for something for the pain, If I went one more day taking OTC I would of screamed.....It is just not fair, I guess it is to much to ask for,to be out of pain...doctors are suppose to help you not let you suffer :(
ELAINE,
I feel so bad for her and you and me and everyone, it is just not fair we all have to suffer, hopefully she will be back soon, and feeling better...
Take Care everyone,
Starr
I live in Upland it is by Ontario Ca do you know where that is? Where do you live?
I think it is going to take me forever to find a good doctor I went today to see a tmj dentist and he said he was going to make me a splint to wear during the day that I can wear while I eat, so I hope it helps, but not counting on it.I have to go back thursday...He seems like he understood a little bit, but not as much as I wanted him too...I had to beg for something for the pain, If I went one more day taking OTC I would of screamed.....It is just not fair, I guess it is to much to ask for,to be out of pain...doctors are suppose to help you not let you suffer :(
ELAINE,
I feel so bad for her and you and me and everyone, it is just not fair we all have to suffer, hopefully she will be back soon, and feeling better...
Take Care everyone,
Starr
mbr22
10-02-2002, 11:03 AM
Hi Starr - I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Is Ontario near LA? I have heard people on this board speaking about TMJ specialists in California - maybe you can try the search function.
I understand your point about the constant pain. Each year, mine seems to get a little worse. I just cannot understand why nothing ever works! Oh well, I will keep searching until I go broke!
take care,
mbr
I understand your point about the constant pain. Each year, mine seems to get a little worse. I just cannot understand why nothing ever works! Oh well, I will keep searching until I go broke!
take care,
mbr
thisstarr
10-07-2002, 04:49 AM
Hi Mbr,
Ontario is like an hour from LA, I hate driving to LA it is the worst traffic in the world on those freeways....
I am right there with you, I am going to be in the poorhouse soon, it is costing me so much money trying new things to see if it helps my pain..I am not going to give up, we cant be in this pain for the rest of our lives.....we cant let tmj win..even though at times it does, we need to fight back! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/hammer.gif
Take Care,
Starr
PS:Have you found any kind of splint to help your pain? I havent and was wondering do you use one that helps you at all...
Ontario is like an hour from LA, I hate driving to LA it is the worst traffic in the world on those freeways....
I am right there with you, I am going to be in the poorhouse soon, it is costing me so much money trying new things to see if it helps my pain..I am not going to give up, we cant be in this pain for the rest of our lives.....we cant let tmj win..even though at times it does, we need to fight back! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/hammer.gif
Take Care,
Starr
PS:Have you found any kind of splint to help your pain? I havent and was wondering do you use one that helps you at all...
mbr22
10-07-2002, 08:41 AM
Starr - I have not found a splint that has helped yet. I have a friend who has an NTI splint that really helps her a lot.
Just like me, widsom teeth removal began your TMJ problems, correct? One of my friends doesn't even have any wisdom teeth, she is lucky!
mbr
[This message has been edited by mbr22 (edited 10-07-2002).]
Just like me, widsom teeth removal began your TMJ problems, correct? One of my friends doesn't even have any wisdom teeth, she is lucky!
mbr
[This message has been edited by mbr22 (edited 10-07-2002).]
thisstarr
10-08-2002, 03:52 AM
Hi MBR,
I tried that stupid NTI I spend $500 dollars on it and it made me worse! I went to see this new specialest that said he is one of the best and he could help me. Well he refuse to give me anything for my pain and said the NTI will do wonders. I believe him, I wore it to bed, it was hard to fall asleep with it, I didnt sleep good that night when I took it out in the morning, I could not move my mouth, my jaw hurt so bad I was in tears in seconds. It hurt to talk,or eat I could not open my mouth at all, and barely drink, it was so bad...I call the doctor and told them I was in pain, he said I needed to come back in to fix it, well I did not go back to him, he would not even call in medication for me I was balling on the phone and he did not care.. Since that day my jaw got way worse and my pain is so bad now worse then before I ever wore it. Now this may not happen to you, I just wanted you to know so you are perpared....Sorry for venting to you, that NTI just made my pain worse and now I am paying for it.. :(
and I dont want to see you go though the same thing..
So far I dont think this splint I have now, is not working to well..hope he will give me another one to try.
Take Care,
Starr
I tried that stupid NTI I spend $500 dollars on it and it made me worse! I went to see this new specialest that said he is one of the best and he could help me. Well he refuse to give me anything for my pain and said the NTI will do wonders. I believe him, I wore it to bed, it was hard to fall asleep with it, I didnt sleep good that night when I took it out in the morning, I could not move my mouth, my jaw hurt so bad I was in tears in seconds. It hurt to talk,or eat I could not open my mouth at all, and barely drink, it was so bad...I call the doctor and told them I was in pain, he said I needed to come back in to fix it, well I did not go back to him, he would not even call in medication for me I was balling on the phone and he did not care.. Since that day my jaw got way worse and my pain is so bad now worse then before I ever wore it. Now this may not happen to you, I just wanted you to know so you are perpared....Sorry for venting to you, that NTI just made my pain worse and now I am paying for it.. :(
and I dont want to see you go though the same thing..
So far I dont think this splint I have now, is not working to well..hope he will give me another one to try.
Take Care,
Starr
mbr22
10-08-2002, 09:00 AM
Hi Starr - too late, I already tried that NTI splint, but it didn't help or hurt (however I had to pay for it also!)
I haven’t found one thing yet that has even remotely helped my pain or cleared up my clogged ears. It just doesn't make any sense to me that no doctor can find a cure, or even alleviate the symptoms just a little bit. I keep thinking that maybe I don't have TMJ disorder, and it's somthing else causing the problems, since no TMJ treatments ever work. I don't know anymore.
I am going to have to find a new doctor that will take MRI's of my TMJ's, because I just think all the doctors are missing something. They are always concentrating so much on stopping the "alleged" muscle tension, but I don't even feel like my muscles are tense. I think my ligaments, or tendons or nerves ore damaged. My universal complaint with doctors is that they always think they know EVERYTHING! If it's my insurance that's paying them, and I want to explore a certain treatment option, they should at the very least take it into consideration, since they have never helped me!
Oh well, I need to vent also! Sorry.
Take care,
mbr
I haven’t found one thing yet that has even remotely helped my pain or cleared up my clogged ears. It just doesn't make any sense to me that no doctor can find a cure, or even alleviate the symptoms just a little bit. I keep thinking that maybe I don't have TMJ disorder, and it's somthing else causing the problems, since no TMJ treatments ever work. I don't know anymore.
I am going to have to find a new doctor that will take MRI's of my TMJ's, because I just think all the doctors are missing something. They are always concentrating so much on stopping the "alleged" muscle tension, but I don't even feel like my muscles are tense. I think my ligaments, or tendons or nerves ore damaged. My universal complaint with doctors is that they always think they know EVERYTHING! If it's my insurance that's paying them, and I want to explore a certain treatment option, they should at the very least take it into consideration, since they have never helped me!
Oh well, I need to vent also! Sorry.
Take care,
mbr
thisstarr
10-09-2002, 02:46 AM
Hi MBR,
lol...it's ok vent all you want..it will make you feel better..
You sound so much like me! I sometimes wonder there has to be something else wrong besides the tmj, the pain I have every freaken day cant all be just for tmj..Everything I have tried for tmj also has not helped, I think we need to be donated to sicence so they can figure out why nothing seems to work for us, but everything works for others....It is just not fair..I dont want to give up but it is hard sometimes..I need to get some health insurance, but I want an MRI of my tmjs also I feel it has to be more then what they say...if you get it done let me know how it go's...
Take Care,
Starr
PS: I hated that stupid NTI they should of never made the darn thing....it made me worse!
lol...it's ok vent all you want..it will make you feel better..
You sound so much like me! I sometimes wonder there has to be something else wrong besides the tmj, the pain I have every freaken day cant all be just for tmj..Everything I have tried for tmj also has not helped, I think we need to be donated to sicence so they can figure out why nothing seems to work for us, but everything works for others....It is just not fair..I dont want to give up but it is hard sometimes..I need to get some health insurance, but I want an MRI of my tmjs also I feel it has to be more then what they say...if you get it done let me know how it go's...
Take Care,
Starr
PS: I hated that stupid NTI they should of never made the darn thing....it made me worse!
GenDen
10-09-2002, 01:30 PM
I also had an NTI. I believe it saved me further damage to my joints. It too had to be adjusted regularly. If there is pain, it needs to be adjusted so that the canines cannot clench around the NTI. The NTI prevented my clenching, but was also diagnostic to show that there was more going on than just the clenching. If there is pain with an NTI, it needs to be adjusted. It may also mean that other treatment is necessary.
Pain is the body's way of telling us something is wrong. If medication masks pain so that we don't hear the message, we may continue to do things that will do further damage to the jaw joints.
There are many sites on the internet that are very educational about TMJ dysfunction.
Pain is the body's way of telling us something is wrong. If medication masks pain so that we don't hear the message, we may continue to do things that will do further damage to the jaw joints.
There are many sites on the internet that are very educational about TMJ dysfunction.
mt72
04-16-2004, 09:33 PM
Hi,
Today I was finally able to see the Neurologist and he has put me on Depakot (oops, I think I spelled it wrong) Has anyone here ever tried it? It is to prevent the headaches. Any weired side effects for anyone? It's normally to prevent seizures but for some reason helps with headache prevention as well.
Sharri I have taken neurotin for about 3 years had the headaches for 2 years everyday, but i also take inderal, and desipirmine, and zoloft. all this is for the tmj and headaches, it works i think the one that helps the most is the desipirmine i may not be spelling it correct. i tryed to come off of it 2 weeks ago and man the headaches and tmj pain was unreal with no releif, so think about it, i use migrinal nose spray for the migrains it WORKS.
Today I was finally able to see the Neurologist and he has put me on Depakot (oops, I think I spelled it wrong) Has anyone here ever tried it? It is to prevent the headaches. Any weired side effects for anyone? It's normally to prevent seizures but for some reason helps with headache prevention as well.
Sharri I have taken neurotin for about 3 years had the headaches for 2 years everyday, but i also take inderal, and desipirmine, and zoloft. all this is for the tmj and headaches, it works i think the one that helps the most is the desipirmine i may not be spelling it correct. i tryed to come off of it 2 weeks ago and man the headaches and tmj pain was unreal with no releif, so think about it, i use migrinal nose spray for the migrains it WORKS.
beach_tiglet
05-05-2004, 08:30 PM
Topamax really seems to help prevent the migraines. I've been on it a year now. I was getting really awful almost daily migraines with stroke symptoms, but get them much less often now and very seldom with the stroke symptoms. Instead of gaining weight, you lose it.